The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) urged the creation of more community-based reformatory centers to serve drug surrenderers nationwide.

Newly installed PDEA chief Aaron Aquino said the establishment of the centers was an effective measure to ensure drug surrenderers do not revert to their old habits.

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“Let these centers be catalysts for change. We need to establish refuges where drug surrenderers can rebuild their shattered lives and make themselves whole again,” Aquino pointed out.

PDEA has asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to make the establishment of reformation centers in every barangay mandatory, citing the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which directs local government units to set aside funds for the rehabilitation or treatment of drug dependents.

“From surrenderers to reformers, this is the kind of transformation we aspire for people who have fallen into the abyss of drug abuse. Those who have sought (a) second chance in life will be given a chance to change,” the PDEA chief said.

Reformation centers are similar to drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers (DATRCs) in purpose but differ in the length of the programs. Reintegration programs in reformation centers take two to three months while those at the DATRC range from a minimum of six months to a year.

Such centers promote a holistic approach for recovery through intensive physical, mental, social, moral and spiritual renewal programs which include skills training to provide drug surrenderers job opportunities and a source of livelihood.

Aquino pointed out that the establishment of reformation centers at the grassroots level would strengthen the national antidrug campaign by weaning surrenderers from drugs.

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