As part of its continuous effort to combat drug abuse, the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) conducted a faith-based activity today, September 30, at the Grand Menseng Hotel.
To widen the religious leaders’ knowledge about drug abuse, topics such as the Science of Addiction, Republic Act 9165, and Tara na Community-Based Rehabilitation Aftercare Program (CBRAP) were discussed during the orientation.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte, in a speech read by CADAC Administrative Officer Julius Gene Garcia, said the city government supports campaigns and initiatives aimed at combating addiction and developing effective solutions to protect the health and welfare of community members.
“It is our hope that we may become partners of change in creating a brighter and more promising future for our next generation,” the mayor said.
Garcia, in an interview, said the orientation aims to help religious leaders in assisting drug reformees through therapy.
He said the attendees are religious leaders from the city’s 182 barangays who assist CADAC in the fight against illegal substance abuse.
Pastor Wendell Tolibas, the technical advisor of CADAC, added that the initiative started in 2009 and has been part of their program to empower religious leaders in its efforts in helping them with the recovery process of drug reformees.
“Kay ang role man gud sa pastor, especially sa mga barangays, actually lisod kay mag-handle ka [sa ilaha]. Mag-introduce ka’g words sa Ginoo unya mga addict imong [audience]. So, mao ni ang pinakasinugdanan aron mahimo gyung prosperous kining activity (The pastor’s role in each baranggay is really challenging because you have to handle them. You need to spread the word of God to your drug addict [audience]. So this is the beginning for us to have a prosperous activity),” he said.
He said the program has been a success as some drug reformees even became pastors themselves.
Pastor Danny Pareja, one of the attendees, agreed.
“So far, okay kaayo ang resulta, knowing nga ganahan pud sila kay at least masultihan namo sila ba nga kung magpabilin mo ani nga trabaho madaot ang inyong kinabuhi (So far, the result is okay, knowing that they like it because at least we can tell them that if they stay in this vice, their life will be ruined),” he said. CIO
