The second batch of drug rehabilitation patients of CARROTS, or the Community Assisted Rehabilitation and Recovery of Outpatient Training System, has graduated from the program run by the Caloocan Anti-Drug Abuse Council in partnership with the city’s churches.
Caloocan Mayor Oca Malapitan welcomed 107 trainees who graduated from the three “pods” or shelters of illegal drug surrenderers—Our Lady of Lourdes in Camarin, Our Lady of Lujan in Bagong Barrio, and San Roque Parish on A. Mabini Avenue.
Caloocan Bishop Pablo David, Vice Mayor Maca Asistio, Caloocan City Police Commander Senior Supt. Jemar Modequillo, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Joshua Arquero, former Commission on Human Rights chairperson Etta Rosales, barangay chairmen and families of graduates attended the rites.
“Their [trainees’] regeneration has not yet ended. In Caloocan, after their graduation, there are still 10 months to two years of aftercare services to ensure family support and their well-being, to ensure no returning to their destructive habits,” Malapitan said. Jun David
A third batch is expected in the CARROTS rehab program, as three more churches are set to shelter their surrenderers – Sta. Quiteria Parish, Holy Cross Parish in Amparo, and the Sto. Nino Parish in Bagong Silang.
