The entrance of the Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
Among the discussion items — the benefits of avoiding illegal drugs. Far from his home in Mariveles, Bataan, Joshua, 41, and 186 other so-called “residents,” were determined to finish their journey at the Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija. After another relapse, Joshua needed rehabilitation for the eighth time. His admission was for three months. “Napunta ako ng Mega dahil naniniwala ako na TRC ang makakatulong sa akin para sa recovery ko,” he told NewsWatch Plus. He said the therapeutic community would help them recover lost morals and discipline due to drug addiction. [Translation: I came to Mega because I believe that TRC will help me in my recovery.] Those with severe drug use — voluntarily or otherwise — seek help at the Mega DATRC inside Fort Magsaysay, a military camp. It was built for 10,000 residents, but current occupants are far less than capacity.
Few occupancy
The Mega DATRC is almost a four-hour trip north of Metro Manila. Of the four phases, only two are in service. The center houses male and female patients in separate areas. A resident herself, Maria*, 26, said patients take on jobs and other tasks. She said hers is to attend to the medical concerns of others. She said the daily routine begins with morning meetings which, for her, is the most important for therapy. “Napaka-blessed na nandito kami kasi para na rin sa sarili namin, para sa paggaling namin, para sa muling paghubog po namin sa sarili namin,” she said. [Translation: It is a blessing to be in the facility. It’s for our recovery, our renewal.]
Admissions peaked in 2018 and 2019, with at least 1,000 patients or a tenth of capacity, according to official data provided to NewsWatch Plus. ‘162’: ‘contentWidth’: ‘100%’ ’embedCode’: ‘
