Policies and Procedures in Implementation of After-Care Project for Drug Dependents

March 5, 1984

SUPREME COURT MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 9-84

TO : All Judges of the Regional Trial Courts

The Court has been informed by the Executive Director of the Dangerous Drugs Board of the deputation of the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) as its agent to undertake after-care and follow-up cases of drug dependents referred by courts to the said board under Sections 30 & 32, Republic Act No. 6425, as amended.

For the information and guidance for all concerned, quoted hereunder is Administrative Order No. 153, Series of 1983, of the MSSD re: Policies and Procedures in the implementation of After-Care Project for Drug Dependents, to wit:

"ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER No. 153

Series of 1983

"SUBJECT : Policies and Procedures in the Implementation of After-Care Project for Drug Dependents

"I. Rationale and Legal Base:

"1. Drug dependents released from treatment and rehabilitation centers are still vulnerable to suffer relapse.

"2. Although the drugs have been removed from their system, such dependents suffer from the constant pull to go back to drugs because not all the negative factors have been removed like the craving for drugs, original feelings of personal inadequacy, social alienation from friends and family, school and job dislocation and feelings of rejection.

"3. The way back to normal life is long, hard, expensive and frequently disappointing.

"Studies undertaken on the subject reveal that the treated drug dependents have low relapse when provided with after care and follow-up services.

"Pursuant to the provisions of Section 36 of RA No. 6425, as amended, the Dangerous Drugs Board have deputized the Ministry of Social Services and Development to undertake after-care and follow-up treatment/services to drug dependents temporarily discharged/released from the treatment and Rehabilitation Centers and referral by the Courts to the Board.

"Provisions of Batas Pambansa 179, Section 30 states the mandatory after-care and follow-up treatment of cases for a period not exceeding eighteen months.

"II. Objectives

"1. To provide community based services to minor drug dependents released from Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers and those referred by the Court to facilitate their re-integration to their family and community.

"2. To provide minor drug dependents on after-care opportunities to enhance their social and economic productivity, through the provision of social services designed to strengthen family life, involvement in community activities, vocational and practical skills development and livelihood activities.

"III. Policies and Procedures

"1. Target Clientele — Only drug dependents released from Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers, those referred by the Court and properly diagnosed by accredited physician, and those referred by Dangerous Drugs Board shall be accepted by social workers in the project.

"2. Intake and Assessment — The Social Worker shall conduct intake interview of minor immediately upon receipt of court order or referral from DDB, and conduct home visit within 2 days to come up with a comprehensive assessment of the minor, family and community as a basis for the formulation of the initial treatment plan.

"The Contract of Agreement between and among minor, parents and worker shall be discussed with emphasis on the roles of the parties involved in the implementation and observance of the condition set for minor's after care. Social Workers shall conduct intake and assessment only of those minors from TRCs, referred by the Court with proper diagnosis from accredited physician, and from the DDB.

"3. Counselling — The Social worker, shall conduct counselling sessions at least once a month or as often as needed focusing on the objectives of after-care such as preventing minor from taking prohibited drugs, proper integration in the family and community, and active involvement in productive socio-economic activities.

"4. Referral services shall be effected to enable minor to avail of services from other agencies like medical and laboratory examinations, psychological and psychiatric evaluation and others.

"5. Integration to Pag-asa Youth Movement activities — The Social Worker shall refer the minor to the Youth Development Worker in the community to enable him to participate in the socio-economic activities.

"6. Court Related Services — In instances where adjudication of minor cases are still active, the social worker shall prepare the required social case study and other pertinent reports to the court. Likewise, minor and parents readiness to appear and participate in court hearing must be developed and encouraged.

"IV. Project Management, Staff Orientation, Monitoring and Evaluation

"1. Area of Coverage:

The After-Care Project for drug dependents shall be implemented initially in the cities and provinces with a high incidence of drug abuse.

The Bureau of Youth Welfare shall assist the Regions and DDB to identify the areas where the project shall be initially implemented. Selection of these places shall be based on the incidence of drug dependents, the number of accredited physicians and presence of treatment and rehabilitation centers.

"2. Selection and Orientation of Staff :

The regions shall select the direct service workers who will implement the project. Preference shall be given to those who are handling youth offenders and other youth with special needs.

The Bureau of Youth Welfare in collaboration with DDB shall design and initiate orientation/training for technical personnel, first line supervisors and direct service workers to enable them to utilize effectively strategies and techniques in project implementation.

"3. Management and Monitoring of the Project:

The Bureau of Youth Welfare shall be responsible for the over-all management of the project. Regular technical assistance to the specialists, first line supervisors and direct workers shall be extended.

Quarterly evaluation conference shall be conducted to provide continuous assessment and guidance in the implementation of the project. Audit shall also be conducted by program staff on a regular basis.

"4. Reporting and Recording:

To ensure proper monitoring of project implementation, the following records and reporting forms have to be accomplished:

"a. MSSD BYW-ACAP Form No. 1 — Individual Index Card — in accordance with Board Resolution No. 7 Section 2 Series of 1982 to record the identifying data and periodic notation on the progress of after-care and follow-up treatment.

"b. MSSD BYW-ACAP Form No. 2 — to reflect the personal data of the client and family, initial diagnosis and plan of action.

"c. MSSD BYW-ACAP Form No. 3 — contract of agreement between client and workers in accordance with B.R. No. 7 Section 3.

"d. MSSD BYW-ACAP Form No. 4 — Progress Report on minors behavior and activities while on after-care to be submitted monthly to MSSD, DDB and committing courts.

"e. MSSD BYW-ACAP Form No. 5 — Monthly accomplishment to reflect the programs and services extended to the client and family.

The Bureau of Youth Welfare shall undertake studies to determine the extent to which the project has achieved its objectives and to gather data as basis for enrichment of the services.

"5. Linkages with other Agencies:

The After-Care Project for drug dependents will be carried out in collaboration with other disciplines and agencies in the private and government sectors, from the local barangay to other levels.

"6. These policies and procedures shall take effect immediately.

(Sgd.) SYLVIA P. MONTESMinister

"November 9, 1983"

Strict observance of the foregoing Administrative Order No. 153 is hereby enjoined.

Manila, March 5, 1984.

(SGD.) FELIX V. MAKASIARActing Chief Justice