DRUG DEN MINORS UNDERGOING REHAB - DSWD

Thirteen drug-dependent minors, including a 16-year-old pregnant girl,
are now undergoing treatment and rehabilitation following the raid of
a shabu drug den in Pasig City, according to newly-installed Social
Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral said yesterday.

In her first press briefing, Cabral said the minors have been referred
to the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center, which is being run by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

"Social workers are doing analysis work of their personal and family
background. We are trying to find out how we can help them," she said.
Those who tested negative for drug use were returned to their parents.

Cabral pointed out that nine other adult females who tested positive
for drug use have undergone Crisis Incident Stress Debriefing (CIDS),
a psychosocial intervention provided to primary and secondary victims
of traumatic incidents to lessen the impact of the trauma.

The 13 minors were apprehended when authorities swooped down on the
Mapayapa compound, where shanties and stalls were openly selling shabu
and drug paraphernalia.

Close to 300 other people were rounded up in the operation.

Cabral could not ascertain how long the rehabilitation procedure would
last.

She said those who have high levels of substance in their body need to
undergo longer treatment.

"It is usually related to the length of use of the substance. Those
who have high concentration in their system may need detoxification,"
she explained.

But Cabral said drug addiction is a universal problem that can be
solved with the cooperation of all sectors of the society.

"It's not only the government that should work to solve this. It's a
societal problem. Everyone in the society must do his or her part,"
she added.