The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office (FO) Caraga joins the launching of Playbook on Community-Driven Response on Substance Use at Caraga State University (CSU), Ampayon, Butuan City, November 22, 2023.

 

In celebration of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week, the Department of Health (DOH) launched the said Playbook –a resource material formulated that will provide technical assistance to Local Government Units (LGUs) in facilitating interventions for Recovering Persons Who Use Drugs.

 

As part of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), DSWD’s contribution to the Community Playbook focuses on Aftercare and Social Reintegration services through the Yakap Bayan Program, which is part of the Chapters of the material.

 

On behalf of DSWD Field Office Caraga Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga, Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Jean Paul Parajes delivered the Agency’s message in support for the endeavor.

 

Parajes emphasized the continuous and collective efforts of all the agencies involved in combatting illegal drugs. “Our colleagues, counterparts, and stakeholders in the league of anti-drug campaign, have been showing and developing sets of ideals and initiatives that will greatly contribute for this purpose. The strong support provided by the national government on this end also provides the same promise of success and commitment towards this cause. Because we, in social welfare and development work, firmly believe that the Recovering Persons Who Use Drugs are mere victims of circumstances. The playbook also clarifies the delineation of functions of agencies involved in the fight against illegal drugs,” Parajes said.

Moreover, he reiterated DSWD’s role in the advocacy – “As to the Department’s contribution to drug-abuse rehabilitation, we focus on the implementation of Aftercare and Social Reintegration Services, as evoked by provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, through the Yakap Bayan Program.”

 

Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as the lead agency on social protection and through the leadership of our Secretary, Rex Gatchalian, shall remain steadfast in delivering services to the victims of drug menace with the highest respect to the tenets of Human-Rights and hallmarks of Social Justice.