1 — Drug dependents released from treatment and rehabilitation centers are still vulnerable to suffer relapse.
2 — Although the drugs have been removed from their system, such dependents suffer from the constant pull to go back to drugs because not all the negative factors have been removed like the craving for drugs, original feelings of personal inadequacy, social alienation from friends and family, school and job dislocation and feelings of rejection.
3 — The way back to normal life is long, hard, expensive and frequently disappointing.
Studies undertaken on the subject reveal that the treated drug dependents have low relapse when provided with after care and follow-up services.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 36 of RA No. 6425, as amended, the Dangerous Drugs Board have deputized the Ministry of Social Services and Development to undertake after-care and follow-up treatment/services to drug dependents temporarily discharged/released from the treatment and Rehabilitation Centers and referral by the Courts to the Board.
Provisions of Batas Pambansa 179, Section 30 states the mandatory after-care and follow-up treatment of cases for a period not exceeding eighteen months.
II. Objectives:
1. To provide community based services to minor drug dependents released from Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers and those referred by the Court to facilitate their re-integration to their family and community.
2. To provide minor drug dependents on after-care opportunities to enhance their social and economic productivity, through the provision of social services designed to strengthen family life, involvement in community activities, vocational and practical skills development and livelihood activities.
III. Policies and Procedures:
1. Target Clientele — Only drug dependents released from Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers, those referred by the Court and properly diagnosed by accredited physician, and those referred by Dangerous Drugs Board shall be accepted by social workers in the project.
2. Intake and Assessment — The Social Worker shall conduct intake interview of minor immediately upon receipt of court order or referral from DDB, and conduct home visit within 2 days to come up with a comprehensive assessment of the minor, family and community as a basis for the formulation of the initial treatment plan.
The Contract of Agreement between and among minor, parents and worker shall be discussed with emphasis on the roles of the parties involved in the implementation and observance of the condition set for minor's after care. Social Workers shall conduct intake and assessment only of those minors from TRCs, referred by the Court with proper diagnosis from accredited physician, and from the DDB.
3. Counselling — The Social worker, shall conduct counselling sessions at least once a month or as often as needed focusing on the objectives of after-care such as preventing minor from taking prohibited drugs, proper integration in the family and community, and active involvement in productive socio-economic activities.
4. Referral services shall be effected to enable minor to avail of services from other agencies like medical and laboratory examinations, psychological and psychiatric evaluation and others.
5. Integration to Pag-asa Youth Movement activities — The Social Worker shall refer the minor to the Youth Development Worker in the community to enable him to participate in the socio-economic activities.
6. Court Related Services — In instances where adjudication of minor cases are still active, the social worker shall prepare the required social case study and other pertinent reports to the court. Likewise, minor and parents readiness to appear and participate in court hearing must be developed and encouraged.
