The Navotas City government holds a ceremony for the completers of the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP) led by Mayor John Rey Tiangco. (Photo: Navotas Public Information Office) 

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The city government of Navotas produced a new batch of completers under the Bidahan Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP). 

The said batch includes 60 persons who used drugs (PWUDs) who have undergone psychoeducation lectures, counseling sessions, group therapy sessions, relapse prevention sessions, and life skills training that are all geared towards sustainable recovery. 

Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco commended the completers for remaining committed in the structured way that will enable them to be reintegrated back to the community and be part of nation-building.  

“Admitting your addiction is the first step towards self-transformation. Your graduation today is just the beginning of your journey to complete healing and recovery,” said Tiangco. 

“Strive to improve and be a better version of yourselves every day. Your family will always be there to provide all the love and support you need,” he added.

The CBDRP involves addiction recovery programs for six months as well as aftercare services that are also essential components of complete rehabilitation. 

The Bidahan program was first launched in the city in 2019 as a means to help former drug users to achieve long-term recovery from substance abuse. 

Aside from this initiative, the local government also implements programs that will complement and intensify its local anti-drug campaign. These include the conduct of drug awareness and prevention lectures to in-city students, drug-clearing operations in barangays, as well as mandatory drug testing among local government employees  and CBDRP beneficiaries. 

In addition, the city government actively supports the rollout of the ‘Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan’ anti-drug information drive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) which aims to encourage Filipinos, especially the youth sector, in helping the country address drug-related issues. 

To date, 13 out of the 18 barangays in Navotas have already been declared drug-free by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). (Navotas PIO/PIA-NCR)