Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is now pushing for the passage of a bill that seeks to establish a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in every province throughout the Philippines, which would be under the supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).
In filing Senate Bill No. 428, Go said he sees the necessity to continue the Duterte administration’s fight against illegal drugs and criminality, but also acknowledges the need to consider drug addicts as “victims.
Go said the center shall provide care, treatment and accommodation to drug dependents; enhance their physical, psychological and social capability to cope with common problems; and provide after-care, follow-up and social reintegration services, among others.
“Drug addicts should be treated as victims in desperate need of medical, psychological, and spiritual assistance, with the goal of reintegrating back into society as healthy and productive citizens,” Go said in a statement.
“Dapat bigyan po natin sila ng pagkakataon ng panibagong buhay (We need to give them a second chance in life),” he stressed.
Go said he fully believes the Marcos administration would be able to continue the anti-illegal drug campaign of former President Duterte.
“Lahat ng ating pinaghirapan sa loob ng anim na taon ay hindi lamang para sa ikabubuti natin ngayon kundi para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga anak at ng susunod pang henerasyon (All his efforts in the past six years is not only for our benefit for today, but for the future of our children and the next generation,” the senator stressed.
Go pointed out that when the Duterte administration assumed office in 2016, it immediately addressed the major challenges besetting the Philippines, particularly the illegal drugs and high crime rate.
Before the term of the Duterte administration ended, the lawmaker said the crime rate in the country decreased by 73.76 percent from 2016 to 2021, citing the record of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Kapag nako-contain mo ‘yung illegal drugs, kasama na diyan 'yung criminality at 'yung korapsyon. ‘Pag lumala 'yung drugs, babalik 'yung criminality, at tataas 'yung korapsyon — makokorap na po 'yung tao (If we are able to contain illegal drugs, you are also able to address criminalitya nd corruption. If drug use continues, criminality will return, corruption cases will increase, more people would be corrupted),” Go stressed.