1,200 surrenderers found new life in SURE

By March 4, 2019Headlines, News

MORE than 1,200 drug users and pushers in Dagupan who surrendered to be rehabilitated have since changed their lives under the Sagip User Rehabilitation and Empowerment (SURE) program implemented by the Dagupan City government since 2016.

Eljohn Pangilinan, SURE focal person, said the surrenderers already graduated from the mandatory Community-based Drug Rehabilitation program and have now assimilated themselves with the city’s society.

Pangilinan said many of the rehabilitated surrenderers he sees in markets and inside jeepneys remember what the city did and are profuse in their gratitude for the opportunity given them to reform.

He recalled how SURE was formed by Mayor Fernandez on October 7, 2016 to spearhead in the rehabilitation of moderately affected drug dependents in the city, even before the national government mandated the creation of community-based rehabilitation programs by LGUs.

The oldest surrenderer who completed SURE was more than 70 years old while the youngest was from 16 to 17 years old who voluntarily surrendered to the police in 2016.

He said during the program “Tatak Unliserbisyo” over Aksyon Radyo Dagupan that no cases were filed against those who surrenedered; cases were filed only against those who were arrested in buy-bust operations.

The community-based rehabilitation program were only for low or mild risks but evaluated as high risks are referred to the Dagupan City Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center. 

The city government endorsed 103 other surrenderers who were assessed as high-risks for in-patient rehabilitation by DTRCc with the help of the city government, till they were fully rehabilitated.

But Pangilinan clarified that those who completed SURE continue to be monitored to make sure they have completely given up on illegal drugs.

 He admitted that of a number, only a few, also returned to their old habit being vulnerable to drug syndicates.

Pangilinan said Mayor Fernandez, who is happy to see those helped by SURE are already leading normal lives with their families, often takes time from her busy schedules to visit some of the reformed drug surrenderers to look into their status. (Leonardo Micua)

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