Drug addiction has emerged as one of the major social problems in the Philippines and undoubtedly proves to be a major hindrance in the proper growth and development of an individual, society, nation and the world as a whole. And it became rampant not only in Pangasinan but throughout the nation as well.
Hence on June 7, 2002, the RA 9165, “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” ,was signed into law by then Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to curb the growing problem on drug abuse in our country. Under Section 2 of the RA 9165, it states that it is the policy of the State to safeguard the integrity of its territory and the well-being of its citizenry particularly the youth, to keep them safe from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs, thus maintaining and preserving their physical and mental well-being, and to defend the same against act or omission detrimental to their development and preservation. It is further declared that it is the policy of the State to provide effective mechanism or measure to reintegrate into society individuals who have fallen victims to drug abuse or dangerous drug dependence through sustainable programs of treatment and rehabilitation.
Due to the growing number of drug dependents needing rehabilitation throughout the nation, former Pres. Benigno Aquino III intended to build one drug treatment and rehabilitation center in every region of the country.
And for this purpose and due to the swelling number of people involved in the drug addiction problem in Pangasinan, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Jose De Venecia Jr., in coordination with the Department of Health and Region 1 Medical Center, the construction of the first structure of the treatment and rehabilitation center was started, which is located at Brgy. Binloc, Bonuan, Dagupan City.
On December 3, 2011, the Department of Health Assistant Secretary Elmer Punzalan, who is also the Chief of the Department of Special Concerns, together with former House Speaker, Jose De Venecia Jr., his wife former 4th District Representative Congresswoman Gina De Venecia, Region 1 Medical Center Chief Joseph Roland O. Mejia and the DTRC OIC Medical Director Delfin P. Gubatan, led the formal opening and inauguration of the first ever built structure of the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (TRC), which is the Administrative building. He also led the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a 300-bed dormitory facility and other infrastructure in the center.
It became operational catering to drug users in an out-patient basis and referral to other rehabilitation centers. TRC personnel underwent training and seminars regarding drug addiction spearheaded by psychiatrists of R1MC. Further training of TRC personnel to enhance their skill in handling drug users and dependents was done by sending them to different government and private institutions such as Substance Used Disorder Treatment and Rehabilitation Out-patient (SUDTRO) unit of BGH and Medical Center, training on Matrix Intensive Out-patient Program, Annual Institute of Family Program, immersion of personnel at TRC Bicutan and Basic Management Course at Self Enhancement for Life Foundation Inc. in Talisay Batangas.
During the continuous operation of TRC catering out-patient clientele, Padyak Contra Droga was in full swing and was participated by different NGOs and Dagupan bikers. This was formally launched on November 28, 2012 and every year thereafter spearheaded by Mr. Raymund Basbas in connection with Proclamation no. 124 declaring every 3rd week of November of each year as the drug abuse prevention and control week. The purpose of these TRC activities is to increase awareness and understanding of the adverse effects of drug abuse not only on the health of the people but also on the social, economic and political aspect of the country.
When the facility of the Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DTRC) is nearing its completion, and since it is still under the umbrella of its Mother Hospital, Region 1 Medical Center. and in order to meet the high standard of management of drug addiction in a Drug Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Roland O. Mejia the Medical Center Chief of Region 1 Medical Center send several personnel including nurses, psychologist, social health worker and Physician to undergo a training program on the management of drug dependence as Rehabilitation Practitioner in Manila that is sponsored by the Department of Health in partnership with UP Manila College of Public Health and in collaboration with (GAPP) Group for Addiction Psychiatry of the Philippines and (PCAM) Philippine College of Addiction Medicine. So that the staff of the DOH-DTRC Dagupan are better equipped with the knowledge and skills in managing drug dependence as well as familiar and are aware to run the facility in order to become entirely operational.
Upon completion of the several infrastructure of the facility such as the staff house, Residential Dorm, Emotional Motivational Unit, Laundry building, Motorpol building, Multipurpose Gym and the Recreational Hydrotherapy pool. The center is very ready to open its door for residential rehabilitation to the public.
And on July 26 2014, a soft opening of the facility to the public for admission of client for residential program was conducted, this was attended by R1MC Medical center Chief, DTRC OIC Medical Director and different section head and Mancom members from R1MC. On July 28, 2014 the DTRC had its first admission of its client for residential program.
As the center continuous its operation its clients grows in number and patient came in not only in Pangasinan but from far-away place such as Mountain Province, Baguio, La Union, Cagayan, Isabella, Ilocos, Bulacan, Manila, Tarlac, Cavite, Bataan and Pampanga, to seek treatment and rehabilitation. Hence on February 26, 2015 a full swing of the formal inauguration of the DTRC was launched in its Multipurpose Gym. Which was graced by DOH Assistant Secretary Elmer Punzalan, former House Speaker, Jose De Venecia Jr., Region 1 Medical Center Chief Joseph Roland O. Mejia. And other politician such as the 4th , 5th and party list representative, several DOH-TRC Directors, PNP Chief, Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors, Barangay Captain, Kagawad, from different cities and municipalities and Barangay. Henceforth the DOH-DTRC Dagupan is the only Government own drug treatment and rehabilitation center in the North that covers the entire region 1, 2 and CAR.
After the formal opening successive turn of event took place such as the ground breaking ceremony of the after-care building lead by the City Mayor of Dagupan on February 26, 2015. Another event took place on April 5, 2015 when the center had its first graduation of its client from residential program, and the ever first client to be admitted for after-care program for a continuing care on May 8, 2015.
On Aug. 14, 2015, Dr. Delfin P. Gubatan was finally appointed as Chief of Hospital III of DOH-DTRC Dagupan. And this was also the month that change the life of every employee of DTRC when 26 personnel were appointed for permanent position. DOH-DTRC Dagupan is the ever first and “World class” piloted built project of Department of Health for Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation to become model of all DOH-TRC. Thus other health agencies who intend to build rehabilitation center in their regions and province are coming in for lakbay aral and to get a sight of the “state of the art infrastructures” of the center.
On march 2, 2016, pave the way in changing the life of every employee in TRC, when ? employee were given permanent position. On February 2, 2016, the renovation of guard house in gate 1 was started and finished on ???? It was also on the same month when Mr. Jonathan Baoanan`s composition of the DOH-TRC Hymn was formally approved by the MANCOM on June 20, 2016 and is now on recording.
The Budget Provision of the entire facility of DOH-DTRC Dagupan was funded by different agencies such as the Department of Health, Dangerous Drug Board, PDAF of former speaker Jose De Venecia Jr. and Congresswoman Gina De Venecia. The total fund in completing the entire facility and infrastructure of the center amounted to about 126 Million in order to become fully operational.
DOH-DTRC Dagupan 