Recovering drug dependents are now part of the priorities of the Department of Social Welfare and Development as it has piloted the Strategies Towards Acceptance, Reintegration and Transformation (START).

In partnership with the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers Committee of the Dangerous Drugs Board, the DSWD has piloted the START implemention in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities in 2014, which gives psychosocial services to rehabilitated drug users and their families, and livelihood assistance and other support services to increase their economic capacities and develop their life skills.

According to Merly Waban, DSWD focal person for START, there are now about 12 drug dependents who were assisted by the DSWD under the program. “They were given various assistance such as livelihood, education, and transportation.”

Having launched its pilot implementation in April 2014, the START is expected to end on October this year, and an evaluation of the program will be done by implementers to see the effectiveness and impact of the program to its beneficiaries.

Written by Charmaine P. Tadlas, DSWD