BALANGA CITY, Bataan (PIA) — Department of Health (DOH) urged Central Luzon residents to unite against stigma while intensifying efforts to prevent drug abuse.
This is in line with the observance of Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week on November 13 to 17.
In a virtual conference, Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (Mega DATRC) Psychology Section Head Alpha Martin emphasized the importance of combating discrimination against People Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) and acknowledging their rights.
“Let us stop discriminating, judging, and stigmatizing PWUDs because by doing so, we are pushing them deeper into the cycle of drug dependency,” she said.
Recent data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) World Drug Report 2023 revealed that globally, 296 million individuals engaged in drug use within a year, with over 39 million experiencing drug use disorders.
“Instead of blaming and stigmatizing individuals with drug use disorders, they should receive essential treatment and care. Minor drug-related offenses should facilitate paths toward recovery and rehabilitation rather than imprisonment,” she added.
In Central Luzon, the number of clients admitted to rehabilitation centers annually is as follows: 2018— 304; 2019— 707; 2020—334; 2021—455; and 2022 — 628.
Martin emphasized that given the current scale of drug dependency, it’s likely that everyone knows someone affected by it and it is crucial to support individuals in reclaiming their lives.
“The DOH has been working on the improvement of facilities and patient care for those undergoing treatment and rehabilitation; however, this does not hold true for those who are incarcerated,” she noted.
She also underscored that advocacies are not just the responsibility of the government but are the duty of community members.
“We should not wait for June or November to attend advocacy activities. In our own capacity, we can advocate for the prevention and control of substance use, and for better services for them as well. We only have to care a bit more for our fellow men,” she stressed.
This year’s Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week is anchored on the theme, “People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention”. (MJSC/RPQ-PIA 3)
Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center Psychology Section Head Alpha Martin urges an end to discrimination against People Who Use Drugs, highlighting the critical need to recognize their rights and combat stigmatization. (Rick P. Quiambao/PIA-3)
