ASEAN Member States convened under the 31st ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug Matters (ASOD) Working Group on Treatment and Rehabilitation to exchange national developments, share good practices, and identify priority areas for regional cooperation. Chaired by the Philippines through the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the meeting forms part of ASEAN’s continuing efforts to advance people-centered responses to substance use across the region.
The Working Group was presided over by ASOD Leader for the Philippines and DDB Executive Director – Undersecretary Earl Saavedra who was joined by the Philippine delegation, composed of representatives from the DDB, Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
In his recorded message, Chair of the 9th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters (AMMD) and DDB Chairperson – Secretary Oscar Valenzuela, stressed the importance of sustained regional collaboration in addressing the evolving drug situation.
Aside from steering the discussion among ASEAN Member States, the DDB also showcased the country’s continuing efforts on the treatment and rehabilitation system, outlining initiatives that expand access to quality treatment services while promoting recovery and social reintegration.
Among the key updates presented was the continued expansion of the country’s network of Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers, with 99 operational residential and outpatient facilities now serving individuals across the country. Complementing these services is the sustained implementation of the Community-based Drug Rehabilitation Program, which is now being implemented across provinces, cities, municipalities, and more than 11,000 barangays, bringing treatment and recovery services closer to communities.
The Philippines likewise highlighted measures to improve governance and service delivery through the rollout of the Enhanced Treatment and Rehabilitation Admission Information System (Enhanced TRAIS) and complementary capacity-building initiatives for frontline service providers. Regionwide stakeholder consultations also contributed to the continuous refinement of treatment and rehabilitation services, ensuring that programs remain responsive to the needs of persons who use drugs and the communities that support their recovery.
Country presentations from other ASEAN Member States likewise shared ongoing efforts to strengthen treatment systems, expand community-based interventions, enhance workforce capacity, and improve recovery services. The exchange of experiences enabled delegates to identify common priorities and explore opportunities for deeper regional collaboration in advancing accessible and responsive treatment and rehabilitation across ASEAN.
Concluding the Working Group, Undersecretary Saavedra expressed confidence that the collective insights and commitments shared during the meeting would further advance ASEAN’s efforts toward more responsive treatment and rehabilitation systems and a healthier, safer region.
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