BUTUAN CITY – Former drug dependents who surrendered themselves during the anti-illegal drugs campaign of police’s 13th Regional Public Safety Battallion are now earning a living through different livelihood projects.
In fact, some of them were among the exhibitors of the five-day Caraga Agri-Trade and Marketing Expo 2016 (CARAT Expo 2016) held at Robinsons Place in Butuan City that ended yesterday.
The almost 100 former drug dependents became engaged in Bonsai livelihood Reformation Program for Surrenderees’ Betterment (RPSB) currently implemented by their unit while others were involved in making ‘kakanin’ or rice cake.
Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) regional director Chief Supt. Rolando B. Felix said the initiative of the 13th RPSB aims to assist the beneficiaries in their economic advancement as well as to divert their attention from drug addiction to become economically productive and drug-free citizens.
“This reformation program of 13th RPSB demonstrates community-based intervention of the ongoing government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign and I called upon other non-government organization to also do their task in helping former drug dependents,” said Felix. (Mike U. Crismundo)