The intensified government drive against illegal drugs resulted in the voluntary surrender of more than 7,000 drug users/pushers in the Province of Sultan Kudarat. Consequently, there is the need to evaluate each one of them to determine their level of drug dependency subject them to rehabilitative processes as the case warrants. 

    Low risk drug users may be allowed to undergo the community-based rehabilitation program that shall be put into operation as mandated by Republic Act No. 9165 to pave way for their detoxification, including the upbringing of moral, psychological and physical enhancements and their eventual re-integration as productive citizens of their respective communities.

    Memorandum Circular No. 2016-116 issued by the DILG provides for the creation of the Expanded-Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan Technical Working Group (E-UBAS TWG) and MASA MASID Teams at the municipal and barangay levels, respectively. These organizations shall lead the implementation of the 3 pillars of MASA MASID, namely: assessment/evaluation, community-based rehabilitation and after care. Additionally, it defines the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in the implementation of community-based rehabilitation program.

    In his commitment to support the fight against illegal drugs of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the Chairperson of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), Sultan Pax S. Mangudadatu, Al Haj, issued a memo organizing the Provincial MASA MASID TWG which he tasked to initiate projects and activities that will ensure the success of MASA MASID program implementation in the province. As a result of this, the training on Community-Based Rehabilitation Program was crafted.

    A total of seventy-five (75) participants coming from the component LGUs and the Provincial MASA MASID TWG recently attended the PADAC-DILG-DOH sponsored Training of Trainers on CBRP for E-UBAS TWGs. Held at the Microtel in General Santos City, the activity used the Intensive Outpatient Program for Persons with Substance Use Disorder.

    It was agreed among the participants that a similar roll-out activity will be implemented at the component LGUs level to train the MASA MASID Teams and Volunteers of the Community Rehabilitation Network.