AIMING to achieve a totally drug-free city and extend help for drug users, the Manila city government entered into an agreement with several government agencies.
Mayor Honey Lacuna, along with Vice Mayor Yul Servo and Secretary to the Mayor Marlon Lacson, signed the memorandum of agreement with TESDA, National Center for Mental Health, Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, Caritas Manila,La Salle Greenhills and the Manila Anti-Drug Abuse.
The agreement signing coincides with the observance of the “Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week” which is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 124 s. 2001.
“Isasagawa natin ang pormal na paglalagda sa kasunduan sa pagitan ng Lungsod ng Maynila at ng iba’t-ibang ahensya at organisasyon para mapaigting at mapalaganap ang ating serbisyo para sa ating mga Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs). Ikinagagalak namin dito sa Lungsod ng Maynila na maging katuwang kayo sa patuloy nating kampanya kontra sa illegal na droga, lalong-lalo na sa larangan ng Treatment and Rehabilitation,” the mayor said.
Lacuna cited the role of the local government’s Manila Anti-Drug Abuse Office (MADAO), through which the city provides free rehabilitation for PWUDs categorized as ‘Moderate Risk’ via a Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program.
Through the aid of the Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, Lacuna said the PWUDs considered as with ‘Severe Dependence’ on illegal drugs may be treated free of charge through the said agreement.
Caritas Manila, on the other hand, through its’ Isang Paglalakbay o Sanlakbay Program’, will provide a Faith-Based Approach Rehabilitation for PWUDs while La Salle Greenhills and TESDA are part of the free naman alternative learning system (ALS) program and Technical-Vocational Training for Manilans who are also into drug problems.
The National Center for Mental Health, Lacuna said, will also help provide free assistance to those who have mental issues and need medical help owing to illegal drug use.
“Umaasa tayo na sa pamamagitan ng ating pagkakaisa at pagbabayanihan ay mas marami pa tayong matutulungan. Hangad din natin na sa pamamagitan ng ating mga pagkilos ay mas marami pang barangay ang tuluyang madedeklara bilang “Drug-Cleared Barangays”,” Lacuna said.
“Drug menace is a societal concern that requires the attention and action from all sectors of society, beginning from its basic unit which is the family and their immediatecommunity. Kailangan pa rin natingmabigyang pansin ang tunay na pinag-uugatan ng problema. At lahat nga tayo ay bahagi ng pagbibigay solusyon. Maraming salamat sa inyong pakikipag-kaisasa pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila. Nawa, tayong lahat ay magtagumpay sa kanya-kanya nating gawain” she added.
