BAGUIO CITY – The city government adopted a process flow on the proper management of illegal drug “surrenderees” or drug-related referrals for both public and private entities.
In Administrative Order No. 110, Mayor Mauricio Domogan directed the adoption of the process flow developed during an inter-agency meeting spearheaded by the Department of Interior and Local Government Baguio under city director Evelyn Trinidad in support of the aim to synchronize the actions of stakeholders and adopt complementary actions in the management of drug abuse victims.
This process will apply to all drug offenders and dependents referred by both public and private entities as a result of drug tests conducted.
As per the process flow, drug victims who surrendered or were referred by public and private entities will undergo documentation processing. This stage includes executing an undertaking pledge or affidavit, profiling, executing a waiver to undergo drug test, mugshot, debriefing and finger printing.
Adults will be subjected to brief intervention by the Department of Health (DOH) or trained BADAC members while minors will be referred to the office of the city social welfare and development office (OCSWADO) for profiling and psychological examination.
Both will then undergo drug dependency examination by the DOH accredited physicians (Drs.ZoraidaClavio, ClaretteDy and Karen Balanza) and drug testing by DOH-accredited drug testing laboratories.
The next step will be the filing in court of petition for voluntary confinement by the Dangerous Drugs Board representatives and upon issuance of a court order, the patients will either be confined in a drug rehabilitation facility in Dagupan City or Pampanga for six months or committed as out-patient at the Baguio General Hospital.
After the rehabilitation, in-patients will undergo an 18-month after-care program and along with the out-patients, may be referred for livelihood assistance from the Technical Education Skills Development Agency, Department of Labor and Employment, OCSWADO, Department of Trade and Industry and others, for their eventual reintegration in the community.
By Aileen P. Refuerzo
