27 barangays set for drug-clearing
The city’s 27 barangays are currently stepping up their efforts for the drug-clearing deliberation by the Regional Oversight Committee in the first quarter of next year.
To be successfully declared as “drug cleared barangay”, they must pass all the requirements under the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP).
According to CADAC Action Officer M/Gen. Agustin Dema-ala (Ret), the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) is enthusiastically helping to accelerate the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council’s (BADACs) efforts to encourage Persons Who Used Drugs (PWUDs) to surrender and undertake the Barangay Community Rehabilitation Program (CBRP). “We run regular information and education campaigns to persuade PWUDs to participate in the CBRP program. The BADAC maintains a list of suspects they encourage to submit in the program “, Dema-ala said.
The PDEA is now persistent in their drive on the BDCP based on the standing order from President Rodrigo Duterte to make each barangay declared as drug-cleared barangay.
Meanwhile, the CADAC relies heavily on BADAC, as the first line defense that leads the fight against illegal drugs through the provisions of Memorandum Circular 2015-063. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) calls for the revitalization of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) and their role in drug clearing operations plan formulation, strategizing, implementing and evaluating programs and projects on drug eradication and prevention.
On the other hand, some BADACs face some challenges and problems with drug clearing operations, such as a lack of interest from those who are encouraged to undergo a community-based rehabilitation program; inadequate staff working for BADAC or members outside the area; and lack of funds to finance the costs necessary for the rehabilitation of drug dependents. Also, some trained CBRP facilitators, mostly nurses, do not function well due to multiple workloads and have been unable to focus on the program.
PDEA said that to be declared drug-cleared, there must be (1) no supply of illegal drugs, (2) there must be no trafficking or drug trafficking, (3) no drug laboratory and drug warehouse, (4) there is no drug laboratory or drug depot,, (5) no marijuana plantation, (6) no drug den, drive or resort, (7) no drug pusher, (8) no drug protector, coddler, financier, (9) barangay officials are active in anti-illegal drugs activities, (10) active participation of Sangguniang Kabataan in the anti-illegal drugs campaign, (11) programs like drug awareness, preventive education and information campaign, (12) drug rehabilitation processing tests, (13) compulsory drug treatment desk for dependents in the barangay.
To address the gap, seven (7) Aftercare facilitators under the CADAC will help the BADAC effectively implement their Matrix Intensive Out-patient Program (MIOP). MIOP is for drug surrenderees who voluntarily undergo the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program. “The vigorous implementation of the CRBP is one of the requirements that PDEA XII strictly require before declaring a certain Barangay drug-free”, CADAC Action Officer Dema-ala once said.
Part of the long-term intervention is that the CBRP facilitators will develop a holistic 12-step recovery program to help the BADAC meet the standards set by PDEA XII.