A drug rehabilitation program which vows to use no experts but focuses on love and respect for humanity is now largely Bohol’s adopted program and is contemplated for replication in the country.
No less that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Michael Sueno who bared the uncanny enhancement of the Bohol program to his agency’s Mamamayan Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Ilegal na Druga (MASA MASID).
“This is an enhanced MASA MASID which the DILG launched,†Secretary Sueno pointed out upon learning of the Bohol’s Community Based Drug Rehabilitation Program Without Walls.
Sec. Sueno immediately picked the semblance, during the League of Barangay Councils Congress  headed by Board Member Romulo Cepedoza, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay (Bohol Chapter) held at the Bohol Tropics last  Wednesday where he was guest speaker.
Bohol Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) approved January 31, the implementation of Bohol Drug Rehabilitation program Without Walls (BDRPWW), a day before it was presented to the interior secretary.
The program is a community based drug rehabilitation that is patterned from best drug rehabilitation program best practices in the country, according to PPOC Chairman and Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto during the presentation prior to the council’s adoption of the program.
The governor bared that the program Bohol would be implementing uses minor modifications from the Talibon templates, Argao Cebu program and other known best practices.
Essentially the Community Based Rehabilitation Without Walls (CBDRWW) implemented in Talibon as early as August 3, 2016, the program earned a few enhancements, added Bohol Social Welfare and Development Officer Carmelita Tecson, in her program presentation to the council.
When most of the authorities have been scouring for answers on what to do with the thousands of drug surrenderers after a saturation anti-drugs drive under Oplan Double Barrel, the “Diocese of Talibon and the local government and faith-based groups†in Bohol’s northeastern part envisioned the program that “works on poverty, demands no experts (psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors),†modestly narrates newly-installed Diocese of Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy.
Bishop Uy, former episcopal vicar of Talibon worked with Talibon Bishop Patrick Daniel Parcon for the program that would later prove and manifest that the church, the civil society and the government can work together, bishop Parcon added.
The Talibon Community Based Drug Rehab Program without Walls found its humble beginnings when Mayor Restituto Auxtero issued Executive Order No. 16-05 series of 2016.
The EO created the multi-sectoral Technical Working Group tasked to formulate plans and programs for drug offenders who surrendered in the municipality of Talibon.
With the local government mandate to provide its people with services, including one that caters to the need for a clear drug rehabilitation program to further invite those still refuse to surrender, while entertaining the thought that without a program, those who showed goodwill in surrendering would return to their illegal and harmful trade, Talibon braved the uncertain paths and crafted the TWG.
By September 23, 2016, the group had conducted the Trainors Training on the Anti Drug Information and Education and the CBDRWW, Talibon sources said.
CBDRWW is a love-filled free service encompassing an integrated and inclusive anti-drug rehab program for victims.
While it espouses no medical facility confined treatment, the program rather tackles the physical, emotional, psychological, economic and spiritual needs of the drug victims end encourages them to stop alcohol, smoking, gambling and most especially the use of illegal drugs.
As it revolves on the philosophy that man has dignity and value, the program starts with one admitting they need help and obliges participants to work, pray and play along with his family and the community.
The cure of drug addiction can only come through God’s healing and human effort, the program philosophy states.
CBDRWW gives the opportunity for drug surrenderers to be treated from their addiction and renew their lives through worship and prayer, community service, group value formation and spiritual enrichment.
It also helps through psychosocial counseling and family education, healing of family relations and livelihood grants, stresses bishop Uy during the meeting.
The program however, only works for drug surrenderers who voluntarily signify to undergo the program which commits them to follow the policies of the rehabilitation.
Those who can enroll in the program are those who, after getting evaluated by the World Health Organization (WHO) standard tests are found out to be of low and moderate risks, who does not necessarily need admission to a treatment facility.
At an earlier meeting with the City Peace and Order Council, Bishop Uy also offered similar program, when Bohol was still firming up the enhanced Talibon drug rehab.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Michael Sueno, who learned of the Bohol presented drug rehab program sought copies of the presentation as a possible national template for adoption and replication.
Should the national government decide to copy the program, it might be worth knowing that much of it started its humble beginnings from Bohol town. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)