Some 35 Navoteño who used drugs (PWUDs) got a new lease on life after graduating from Bidahan, the community-based treatment and rehabilitation program of the city government of Navotas.
Bidahan consists of six months of Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP) and another six months aftercare.
Participants undergo a series of weekly psychoeducation lectures, counseling sessions, group therapy sessions, relapse prevention sessions, and life skills training. They also undertake random drug testing to ensure their compliance to the program.
Mayor John Rey Tiangco acknowledged the courage of the participants to admit their addiction and finally work towards overcoming it.
“Bidahan is just the first step in the long road of healing and recovery,” he said.
“The challenge now is keeping them drug-free. We are hopeful that with the care and support of their family and loved ones, they will be able to lead better lives as productive members of society,” he added.
Bidahan has produced around 721 graduates from 2016-2019. Some 285 PWUDs have graduated under the CBDRP since 2017. Furthermore, 82 have finished the aftercare program since 2018.