The Antipolo City local government on Monday, March 21, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TRC) Bicutan in its bid to further improve the city's efforts in curbing the proliferation of illegal drugs and help its persons who use drugs (PWUDs) return to their normal life. Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares said the MOA aims to give proper intervention, after-care and follow-up programs, projects and activities to the city's PWUDs. "Bukod sa araw-araw na isinasagawa nating preventive at educational programs kontra droga, mabibigyan din natin ng kaukulang atensyon ang mga drug users na nais muling magsimula at magbagong buhay (Aside from our daily preventive and educational programs against illegal drugs, we will also provide the necessary attention to drug users who wish to start anew and turn a new leaf)," Ynares said. He explained that the city government will refer drug dependents to the DOH-TRC Bicutan under the voluntary or compulsory submission program wherein the family of the PWUDs will no longer have to worry about the treatment and rehabilitation of their loved one because the city government will shoulder the necessary expenses. "Sa loob ng center ay mabibigyan ng treatment at rehabilitation programs ang mga drug dependents. Dahil ilang buwan ang kanilang ilalagi doon, imo-monitor din natin ang estado ng ating mga pasyente sa pasilidad (Inside the center, drug dependents will be given treatment and rehabilitation programs. The city government will also monitor the status of its patients since they will stay in the facility for months)," the mayor said. "Hindi pa huli ang lahat para sa mga drug users. Ika nga, hangga’t may buhay, may pag-asa. At gusto natin na maging kabahagi sa pag-asang ito para maunawaan ng mga drug dependents na narito tayo para umagapay at tumulong kung nanaisin nilang magsimula muli at magbagong buhay (It's not yet too late for our drug users. As the old saying goes, as long as there's life, there will always be hope. The city government wishes to be a part of this hope for other drug dependents to know that we are here to assist and support them once they wish to start all over again and turn a new leaf)," he added. The local chief noted that in the coming days, the city government will sign other MOAs to partner with other private rehabilitation centers located in Antipolo. The city government had previously conducted anti-illegal drugs seminars in its public schools to educate youngsters on the adverse effects of illegal drugs.