EU affirms support for drug rehab programs, lauds Tarlac facility

Photo from the European Union in the Philippines Facebook account.

MANILA, Philippines — European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen and other European ambassadors visited on Friday the EU-supported Tarlac Drug Recovery Clinic and lauded efforts

The clinic, one of the first pilot recovery clinics set up in the Philippines with EU’s support, recently won the “Project of the Year” award from a business-oriented newspaper.

“I share this award with Governor Susan Yap and the Tarlac Recovery Clinic team for their dedication and commitment, under the leadership of the Department of Health and the Dangerous Drug Board, for the successful establishment of one of the first pilot recovery clinics set up in the country with support from the European Union and other partners,” Jessen said.

“This initiative is a very good showcase of how the EU collaborates with the government on its fight against illegal drugs as we, at the same time, illustrate our own experiences in addressing drug issues in Europe,” he added.

Joining Jessen in the Tarlac facility visit were Belgian Ambassador Michel Goffin, Hungarian Ambassador Jozef Bencze and Netherlands Ambassador Elizabeth De Lang.

While in Tarlac, the European envoys will also pay a courtesy call on Governor Yap and other mayors from Central Luzon.

The Tarlac outpatient recovery clinic is one of the first to be operational out of the six pilot sites identified by the Department of Health.

Other sites are in Pasay City, Mandaue City in Cebu, Oriental Mindoro, Compostela Valley and Ifugao.

It also offers “a holistic approach not only focusing on de-addiction but also re-integration [of patients] into the community after treatment.” /gsg