DURING the Covid-19 lockdown, a non-government organization has opened a community pantry for drug users, providing not only food packs but also care packages that contain face masks, hand sanitizers, soap, and hygiene kits.
IDuCare, an NGO that caters to the “most marginalized and most criminalized sector in Philippine society,” also provides free medical services (like checkups, HIV testing and treatment), psychosocial services, and workshops on drug awareness, harm reduction, legal and para-legal literacy.
“Nakakatuwa. This is an organic community effort,” said Inez Feria, who heads the secretariat of the summit “Philippine Harm Reduction Summit: Rethink. Reshape. Reimagine.” from April 27 to 30.
Feria said the story of this community NGO is one of the many from the 21 sessions of the summit.
Lee Yarcia, of NoBox Philippines and one of the organizers, said the summit will also discuss the “intersection of Covid and drugs from the regional perspective. Questions like is there a shift in the drug supply? In the drug use? How is the community support system doing?”
“Given the punitive drug policy, as well as the health protocols required due to Covid, should we putting drug users in jail?” said Yarcia, a student at the fast-tracked medical education program Intarmed of UP-PGH.
Yarcia said the summit will also tackle the United Nations’ human rights report focusing on the Philippines, particularly on technical assistance to address drug-related issues in communities and how the government is complying with the human rights standards.
“The virtual summit will also feature a critical review of the country’s drug policies. With the 2022 elections fast approaching, this policy direction we are taking as a society needs to be discussed,” Yarcia said.
“We need to a build a new conversation around drugs,” he said.
Feria agreed, saying that “organic, ground-up initiatives prove that human connection is the most powerful.”