Amid relentless crackdown on narcotics trade, the government shifts to another face in its anti-drug drive: the rehabilitation of drug dependents.

Bohol tallied over 31,000 drug surrenderees in three months of implementing Oplan Tokhang. Most of them are self-confessed drug users.

Now, the Bohol government has taken initial steps in reforming these drug personalities by launching on Tuesday the Center for Drug Education and Counselling (CEDEC) at the Oak Brook Building in the province’s capital.

In CEDEC’s inauguration, Gov. Edgar Chatto said that campaign against illegal drugs is not just a concern for law enforcers, but for health officials as well.

Chatto also admitted that like most endeavors of the government, the success of CEDEC relies on collective efforts from various sectors.

The CEDEC is headed by Dr. Cesar Lopez and manned by a psychiatrist, psychologist, an on-call medical doctor, social welfare officers, nurses and policemen.

For its part, the Tagbilaran City Lion’s Club formally turned over the Oak Brook Building, which is owned by the organization, to the government.

Chatto and George Lim of the city Lion’s Club during the drug counselling center’s launch signed a memorandum of agreement allowing the government to use the building for CEDEC operations.

Meanwhile, Department of Health (DOH)-7 Regional Asst. Director Sofia Mancao who also attended the inauguration vowed to extend support by providing personnel and financial assistance.

In towns across Bohol, the DOH also started on Tuesday to orient mayors and municipal health officers on the department’s program for drug dependents.

The CEDEC is among Bohol’s initiatives to battle drug dependency. The provincial government is also planning to build a drug rehabilitation center in the island-town of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia. (Rey Tutas)

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