HISTORY (Drug Abuse Research Foundation Inc.

In May 1971, when the drug abuse problem was getting worse in the Philippines, Rev. Fr. Bob Garon, M.S. (la Sallete), a very popular radio and television counselor, turned his efforts to the rehabilitation of drug dependents. He rented a house in Calle Perez, an old section of Paco, Manila and started the rehabilitation for a small number of drug dependents, which was largely a matter of trail and error. In a parallel effort, he also went on an information campaign, oriented towards prevention and early detection of the problem among the young. At this time, the only rehabilitation center of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Tagaytay. In July 1971, Drug Abuse Research, Incorporated (DARI) was duly registered in the telephone hot line that began operations that month. The training of speakers began in August and speaking engagement in campuses and various groups and organizations began. At this point in time, it was intuitively felt that young people talking to young people were more effective as a vehicle of message for their peers. Later, this horizontal communication or communication between peers would crystallize on the Therapeutic Community model. In December 1971, Dari became Drug Abuse Research (DARE) foundation. With the advent of Marital Law and the consequent restrictions on the traffic of drugs, more and more drug dependents were forced to seek rehabilitation. Many flocked to DARE asking for help. This brought about a shift in the efforts of DARE from information to rehabilitation. At this time, the small group of drug dependents had grown and had moved out from Paco, Manila to a two hectare farmland in Trece Martires City, Cavite. The house was called DARE Bahay Pag-asa.

In early 1973, Rev. Fr. Bob Garon brought with him a Filipino drug dependent on a shopping trip for a modality or rehabilitation in the United States of America. Fr. Bob Garon chose Daytop Village where the drug dependent stayed for one month. They both came back after one month and began to implement in DARE Bahay Pag-asa Center what they learned in Daytop Village. At this point, DARE began its own evolution into a Therapeutic Community with relevance for the cultural milieu of the Philippines. Dr. Theodore B. R. Abas, M.D. was invited by Fr. Bob to join DARE as a Psychiatrist Consultant in 1974. Dr. Abas transformed the image of DARE as Therapeutic Community handled by non-professional into professional institution for the rehabilitation of substance dependents. In June 1977, Fr. Bob Garon resigned. Rev. Fr. George Loiselle, M.S. was elected President while Dr. Abas was elected Vice President for Internal Affairs. Fr. Loiselle ad Dr. Abas brought major changes in the program with emphasis on actual, gradual, and progressive reintegration of the DARE Residents back to their community, family, school, or occupation. In this task, the Social Workers and the Center Directors of DARE worked very closely on the same cases and were the most visible part of the true merging between the professional and the center staffers of DARE. Active and regular participation of the residents parent in the weekly group session formed the Thursday Night Group which made rehabilitation a partnership effort between the family and DARE. It is also starting at this period in June 1977, that we find a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist, social workers, parents, and DARE staff, the classic elements for what known as Multi-disciplinary or medical model fully integrated into a Therapeutic Community Model of Rehabilitation for substance dependents and other persons with behavioral disorders.

In November 1981, DARE hosted the 6th World Conference of Therapeutic Communities in PICC, Manila under the auspices of the Worked Federation of Therapeutic Communities. It was the first time that this international gathering of therapeutic communities was held outside of Europe and North America. The World Conference was successful in advocating the establishment of linkage not only among traditional countries but also among Asian TCs as well. In 1991, Fr. George Loiselle resigned and was replaced by Rev. Fr. Manuel Medina, M.S. who resigned a year later. In the early part of 1992, Dr. Theodore B.R. Abas assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer Psychiatric and Medical Consultant of DARE Foundation, Inc. A decade later (1994) DARE was considered the grandfather of Therapeutic Communities in Asian region (the First Asian Federation of Therapeutic Communities in Asia) for being the first to develop and transplant therapeutic concepts from Daytop Village, New York in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand as well. In this conference, the Dangerous Drug Board committed itself to promote the TC to all rehabilitation centers in the Philippines.

a. Mission To rehabilitate drug dependents, alcoholics, and other persons with behavioral disorders through the Therapeutic Community Approach geared towards uplifting self-esteem, values and respect for others.

b. Vision To provide every person with substance abuse and other behavioral disorders an opportunity to realize his fullest potential as an active number of the society.