By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) will hold an “after care” phase for 65 surrendered drug personalities who completed the eight-week Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP), which culminated on May 30 at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
DSSD social welfare officer IV Sally Abelarde explained, during this phase, the beneficiaries will undergo soft skills training and granted livelihood assistance.
“We are now conducting an assessment, and based on the result that most of them wanted to undergo training on welding,” she said.
During the program, participants were assigned to a police station, where they were provided a support group, composed of a social worker, a nurse, personnel from the Women and Children’s Protection Desk, and pastors from faith-based organizations.
They were also evaluated by two Assessment Teams composed of psychiatrists, chemists, and nurses./WDJ