No Rehab Centers in Rural Areas In The Philippines

Alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers are important institutions in our society. They are responsible for helping victims of addiction get back on the right track, as well as reintroducing them as responsible and productive members of their communities. Rehab centers, as they are more popularly known, are also essential in controlling the spreading of addiction in society by regularly conducting seminars that inform people about the danger of falling into addiction.

The Sad Reality of Rehabilitation Centers in the Rural Parts of the Philippines

This is especially true here in the Philippines, where addiction is a serious threat and must be dealt with. Sadly, in spite of the funding provided by the government to fight against addiction, there is still a great lack of rehab centers present in the country, especially in many rural areas where addiction to substances such as prohibited drugs is rampant. Because of this, many youths are still drawn to the wiles of addiction and a lot of the victims of addiction in the country are still left untreated.

The reality that there are no rehab centers in the rural areas in the Philippines is a problem that must be addressed not just by the government but also by the private sector. And while the government may have been doing its part in constructing low-cost rehab centers for the poor, much of these have been focused on the urban parts of the country, leaving the rural areas untouched. The cost of travelling to these urban rehab centers often discourage addiction victims living in the rural areas from undergoing rehabilitation, thus leaving their problems unsolved.

It is clear that this issue needs to be resolved, but it needs both the government and the community working together. Establishing a rehabilitation center is no simple task, as it requires individuals with specialized training in handling addiction issues, as well as the facilities and the equipment needed to help usher the victims of addiction into a new beginning.

One of the reasons why there is a lack of rural rehabilitation centers is the shortage of psychologists and addiction specialists who would run the facility. Psychology is not among the most famous courses in the country today, so a campaign must be launched that would increase the amount of Filipino students who would take up this course. Not only would it benefit the industry, but it would also prevent the overpopulation of other courses.

Another issue that must be addressed in order to establish more rehabilitation centers in the country is the perception of addiction and its victims. In the Philippines, victims of addiction are often viewed with severe discrimination and are treated poorly. People must be properly educated on addiction and encouraged to see addicts as victims and patients rather than criminals.Many victims of addiction hide their problems due to the fear of being discriminated, so in order to help them, they must be treated with care and love.

Finally, there must be adequate financial and physical support from both sectors of the society in building rural rehabilitation centers. Investing on an industry to rehabilitate victims of addiction may seem to yield very little in return, but in reality, it actually does more good for our society. Individuals who have been successfully rehabilitated return to their cities as productive and competent members, thus contributing to the overall productivity of the community.

Additionally, the more rehabilitation centers are built, more victims of addiction will be cured of their sickness, thus decreasing the demand for addictive substances. When the demand is decreased, the dealers will be discouraged to continue, and eventually the problem of addiction would be solved.

We would like to include in this article the contact information of all the regional offices of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for your convenience and for whatever purpose this list may serve you. If you are residing in a rural area in the Philippines, and there are no private institutions that can be of assistance to you or a loved one in dealing with addiction problems, you can contact these regional offices.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Offices

PDEA National Capital Region
PDEA Annex Bldg. NIA Northside Rd., Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City
Telephone Number:(02) 920-0193

PDEA 1
Camp Diego Silang, Carlatan, San Fernando City, La Union
Telephone Number: (072) 607-0477

PDEA 2
Camp Adduru, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Telephone Number: (078) 844-7693

PDEA 3
Camp Olivas, San Fernando, Pampanga
Telephone Number: (045) 861-4244

PDEA 4-A
Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba, Laguna
Telephone Number: (049) 834-1304

PDEA 4-B
Unit 14 Filipiniana Complex, Calapan City, Or. Mindoro
Telephone Number: (043) 441-0267

PDEA 5
Camp General Simeon Ola, Legaspi City
Telephone Number: (052) 480-7712

PDEA 6
Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City
Telephone Number: (033) 337-1600

PDEA 7
RR Landon Street, Cebu City
Telephone Number: (032) 255-5260

PDEA 8
2nd Floor, PCA Bldg., Government Center, Baras, Palo, Leyte
Telephone Number: (072) 607-0477

PDEA 9
Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City
Telephone Number: (062) 983-0112

PDEA 10
Gordiel Bldg., Corrales Ave., Cagayan De Oro City
Telephone Number: (088) 857-2279

PDEA 11
Camp Capt. D. E. Leonor, San Pedro St., Davao City
Telephone Number: (082) 222-3045

PDEA 12
Camp Fermin G. Lira, Jr., General Santos City
Telephone Number: (083) 301-5466

PDEA 13
Camp R. Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City
Telephone Number: (085) 815-1661

PDEA CAR
Melvin Jones Grandstand, Harizon St., Baguio City
Telephone Number: (074) 422-5544

PDEA ARMM
PC Hills, Cotabato City
Telephone Number: (064) 421-2379