Introduction

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The illegal drug trade (i.e. drug abuse and addiction) in the Philippines has now gained a very alarming proportion.The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) survey conducted in 1999 came out with an estimate of 3.4million drug users. The main drug of abuse today is Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, locally known as "Shabu." Drug abuse has affected the whole nation. In Fact, it has become a serious threat to national security; thereby necessitating the passage of R.A 9165, otherwise known as "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

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Relatedly, the criminal-justice system and law enforcement contributed in deterring drug use. The high demand for drugs has caused dealer to develop more sophisticated methods of distribution to meet the profitable market.

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More than its impact in the society as a whole, many families have been destroyed- become isolated, scattered, blended and broken. Physical, psychological and emotional abuse in the family continues to contribute to problems with drugs/ alcohol abuse by family members.

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To significantly address our society's problems on illegal drug use and abuse, interventions to fight both the supply and demands aspect of  the problem must be implemented.

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Our school system have been responding with the program focusing on drug prevention, education and early awareness and identification of children and families at risk for drug problems, the schools are limited in what they can do. Teachers have demanding job and although they can support efforts to prevent, intervene and refer students to treatment for drug problems, they cannot take full responsibility for dealing with this problem.

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In 2003, the government recognized the need to address the demand side of drug problem by emphasizing prevention and education and by effort to make drug treatment and rehabilitation centers available to those who want treatment.

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In conformity with the framework of ideology, the strategic plan of the government is entitled as national Anti-Drug Program of Action (NAP DA) whose salient parts include the demand reduction campaign. Tasked to implement this is the Department of Health (DOH), lead agency in conducting the tertiary prevention of the demand reduction; i.e. treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare of drug dependents.

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It is for this reason that the Heart of Jesus Treatment and Rehabilitation Center felt the need to establish a treatment center.

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An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Nowhere is this well-worn proverb more apt than in the soul testing domain of drug dependence. Drug abuse treatment begins after prevention has failed. HJTRC believes that treatment is desirable for anyone who uses any illegal, psychoactive drug or whose drinking of alcohol is excessive, reckless, self -destructive or in any way uncontrolled.

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We recognized that there will always be some level of drug/ alcohol problem in our country. This is not war on drugs but instead a crusade; to help those people who want drug and alcohol treatment, and to prevent the next generation from developing drug/ alcohol problems.

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Our efforts can help many people with drug/alcohol problems and prevent others from suffering the same devastating life of addiction. Most important, we can work on the current problems that make the next generation at risk for chemical dependency.

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