JICA, DOH ink cooperation for drug rehab facility, treatment

April 3, 2017

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Health (DOH) signed Monday a 1.85 billion yen (P826 million) program to establish and enhance facilities and rehabilitation as well as treatment protocols of drug dependents in the Philippines.

The program Consolidated Rehabilitation on Illegal Drug Users (CARE) is aligned with the current government’s priorities against illegal drugs, a statement from the Japan International Cooperation Agency said Monday.

CARE aims to provide an opportunity for drug dependents to reduce the risk of relapse, walk through a path of recovery and integrate them back into society.

“As a long standing friend and development partner of the Philippines, JICA supports DOH towards working for a common vision of a drug-free society,” said JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito. “Through this development cooperation, we aim to help provide rehabilitation support for drug dependents so eventually they can integrate themselves back into society.”

Government data showed that majority of drug dependents (53 percent) in the Philippines are unemployed (Dangerous Drugs Board 2015 data) and that there are 44 DOH- accredited treatment and rehabilitation centers in the country.

The program will help establish a treatment/rehabilitation center in the Philippines, improve operational and service standards for recovering drug dependents, develop information materials on preventive education and awareness against illegal drugs. Capacity building is a possible assistance which JICA may provide to further address the issue.

For a more holistic approach in the country’s fight against illegal drugs, DOH coordinates with an inter-agency Task Force for the Establishment and Support of Drug Abuse Treatment and  Rehabilitation Centers. The Task Force was created through an executive order issued under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. DMS