Fresh, New Life

Drug reformist sees new hope in Davao’s Sagop Kinabuhi Program 2 (SKP 2)

Miserable and messy; this was how Cain – not his real name, describes his life under the influence of illegal drugs. “I came to my senses and realized that I am not only hurting myself but more so people who love me,” he said.

“I am humbled and touched by my mother’s patience in taking care of me during those dark moments in my life while I’m into drugs. I hurt her so much that I am ashamed of myself now,” Cain sadly said.

His life worsened when his father died of cancer in 2011. He clung to the addictive sensation of drugs to soothe his pain, grieving the loss of a father while trying to live a normal life. But the temptation of temporary relief and influence of misguided friends pulled him more towards drugs.

“I got hooked more to drugs when my father passed away. No one will no longer restrain and advise me every time I long for drugs,” he revealed. “My mother took over raising us four siblings amidst her grief,” he said.

Cain’s life took a new twist when a neighbor noticed their difficult situation amidst the onslaught of drugs. She approached their Barangay Chairman and sought help to assist her in bringing Cain to concerned authorities before it’s too late.

It was this opportunity that led him to avail the services of the Archdiocese of Davao to help drug surrenderees and reformists start a new life after being addicted to drugs. Through the Sagop Kinabuhi Program (SKP), Cain started to reform his life and realized that he should help rebuild their family after their relationship was strained due to his involvement in drugs.

“I was struck by the sharing of an inmate at Davao City Jail during one of our exposures to some rehabilitation centers in the city. You are so lucky that you realized your mistakes while you are still free,” he recalled the inmate as saying. “We came to our senses and realized a little bit late already. We are already in jail when we realized the mistakes we committed,” the inmate goes on to say.

From being a member of the emergency responder and rescuer in their barangay, Cain now who is a victim of drug abuse himself is rescued from the claws of drug menace that continues to threaten families and children in the community.

“I got closer to God after that painful part of my life,” he said. “I am more open now to my family especially to my mother who never get tired of reaching out to me every time I am adrift,” he added.

Cain, now 29 years old; is the eldest among four siblings. He is one of the 35 drug reformists from Davao City’s Talomo District who is undergoing Psycho-social and Spiritual Intervention as part of their reintegration to their families and barangay. He expressed gratitude to neighbors and friends who helped him start anew after being hooked to drugs.

Sagop Kinabuhi Program (SKP) which literally means rescue and save life, is the collective response of the Archdiocese of Davao and the City Government to help drug dependents and their family find solution against drug menace that threatens the family.

Families and friends of suspected drug dependents may get in touch with their barangays and GKK leaders, or anyone from the church or local government to avail the needed services under the Sagop Kinabuhi Program. (Danny Escabarte | Volunteer)