Masbate City Conducts A One-Stop Shop Assessment for SDUs

A 2-day one-stop shop assessment for Surrendered Drug Users/Personalities (SDUs) of 15 barangays of Masbate City was conducted on February 20-21, 2018 at Barangay Malinta, Masbate City. This project is code-named Project – STAND-UP (Save and Treat All Narcotics Dependents – Uplift their Personal Worth). A total of 54 SDUs underwent a series of assessment from medical testing to psycho-social analysis administered by personnel from the City Health Office and City Social Welfare and Development. This was facilitated by the Core Group on the anti-drug campaign of the City of Masbate composed of various national agencies and LGU functionaries such as the DILG, PNP, City Health Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office and Civil Society representatives. This effort was spearheaded by City Mayor Rowena Tuason in close coordination with the DILG Officer, LGOO VI Andres Ativo Jr. and PNP COP PCI Gerardo Balatucan, in response to the call of the national government to conceive a mechanism to re-integrate individuals who have engaged in illegal drug use through treatment and rehabilitation. Although none of the SDUs tested positive during drug testing, yet in the interview they admitted to have engaged in illegal substance abuse when the “tokhang” operation was first conducted by the PNP. Hence, 51 of the 54 assessed SDUs agreed to undergo the Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) as a requirement for the issuance of their certificate of completion. This is geared towards the Drug Clearing Program of the PDEA wherein the target barangays shall be declared “drug cleared upon compliance of the parameters set by that Office. – LGOO VI ANDRES J. ATIVO JR.