CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – A total of 129, 217 drug users and pushers have surrendered in Central Luzon since July last year up to January, this year.
Dr. Benjamin Reyes, chair of Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) made this disclosure during the first ever Central Luzon Dangerous Drug Summit held Wednesday at Royce Hotel here.
Bulacan has the most number of drug surrenderers with 37, 266, followed by Nueva Ecija with 27, 552; Pampanga, 22,479; Tarlac, 15,329; Zambales, 8,025; Bataan, 9,911; Aurora, 3,356; Angeles City , 3,107 and Olongapo City with 2,192.
It was also revealed that PHP55.8 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrocloride or shabu was confiscated nationwide in 2016.
With this good result in the campaign against dangerous drugs, Reyes said the Duterte administration is determined to implement community-based rehabilitation, after care program and conduct drug testing at DOH- accredited drug -testing laboratories to help in the treatment, rehabilitation and recovery of surrenderers.
DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said the anti-dangerous drug summit is aimed at further strengthening the strategies of local government units (LGUs) while acknowledging the proper handling of surrenderers imparted by the national agencies.
“Currently, there are group-dynamic activities, pyscho-educational lectures and meditations presently being offered at the Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (MEGA-DARTC) in Palayan Nueva Ecija,” Ubial said.
She said some 705 local government health sectors composed of doctors, nurses and district medical officers were trained in screening and assessing drug users in the region. (PNA) FPV/ZST/JM