The Davao City Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Drug Dependents (DCTRCDD) is making significant strides in promoting both education and recovery among its residents. In May, the center will celebrate the graduation of 20 students from junior and senior high school, who have successfully completed their studies through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program.

Dr. Michelle Maville Schlosser, Officer-In-Charge and Manager of the DCTRCDD, emphasized the importance of education in the recovery process. In an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), Dr. Schlosser said that rehabilitation goes hand in hand with reintegration into society. “The rehabilitation center’s mission and goal is to reintegrate them into their families and communities so that they become productive members of society, and one of the keys to that is education,” she explained.

The DCTRCDD is currently home to 71 patients, including 38 male adults, 24 female adults, and 9 minor male patients. Alongside education, the center offers comprehensive services aimed at holistic recovery. These services include medical, psychological, psychiatric, social, spiritual, and recreational support. Specialized programs such as therapeutic and family counseling play a crucial role in helping residents progress in their recovery journey.

One of the key developments at DCTRCDD is the upcoming aftercare and outpatient facility, designed to provide continuous support to individuals recovering from substance use disorders. Dr. Schlosser explained that aftercare is critical in preventing relapse. “After six months in the rehabilitation center, they should enter aftercare, which involves 18 months of monitoring. This period is essential because relapses usually occur when individuals go back to their previous environments,” she stated.

The aftercare program will offer continued monitoring and help residents stay on track toward long-term success. The DCTRCDD’s goal is not only to help individuals recover but also to equip them with life skills that will enable them to thrive upon reintegration into society.

In addition to its educational and therapeutic programs, the center’s focus on holistic recovery and aftercare represents a well-rounded approach to addressing the challenges faced by individuals overcoming substance use. This initiative is a part of Davao City’s ongoing commitment to providing essential rehabilitation services and fostering sustainable recovery for its residents.