
Last January 22, 2017 (Sunday), NADA Philippines gave free ear acupuncture detoxification treatment to the members of the community of Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan, upon the invitation of Robert Tiangco, head of the Damascus Foundation.
Damascus Foundation Inc. was originally established in 1997 in the rural town of Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan to rehabilitate and reform boys who have fallen victim of illegal drugs, solvents and other vices.
Due to the needs of the community, the Foundation has also started a Feeding and Learning Center for malnourished children to nurse the children back to health and empower their families to be productive citizens.
More than 50 were given treatment by volunteer ADSes. In this free community clinic, NADA Philippines met Dr. Enrique “Eric” Tayag, OIC Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson of the Department of Health (DoH) who received ear acupuncture treatment from ADS Lorie Fe Estavillo.

Every year since 2010, NADA Philippines has held a regular forum where Acudetox Specialists (ADSes) join hands and share their different experiences from all over the Philippines.
For this year’s activity, NADA Philippines is inviting NADA Acudetox Specialists from other countries to join us and be part of this yearly celebration of sharing and networking.
NADA Philippines will be holding its 6th National Annual Forum on February 25, 2017 (Saturday), at the Quezon City Sports Club, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon City, with the theme Facing the Challenges by Using Ear Acudetox in the Philippine Drug War.”
The 6th NADA Philippines Annual Forum will highlight the contribution of NADA Protocol (Ear Acupuncture) in addressing the growing problem of substance abuse in the country. It will feature international speakers who will discuss holistic interventions and approaches that addressed social issues and challenges in drug addiction and other crises. Experts from academic and clinical practices will provide background knowledge in the areas of research, addiction medicine and family counseling. Local speakers are invited to share meaningful insights and lessons in using ear acudetox amid the Philippine drug war.
The forum is open to ADSes, their families, friends, and supporters of NADA Philippines. We are looking forward to your attendance/participation in this annual activity.
Registration rates are as follows:
ADS rate:
Early Bird – 800 PHP
On Site – 1,000 PHP
Non-ADS rate:
Early Bird – 1,000 PHP
On Site – 1, 200 PHP
All early bird registration fees should be deposited on or before February 15, 2017 (Wednesday) to our NADA BPI account with the following details:
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Account Name: NADA PHILS
Account Number: 3081-1171-78
Kindly e-mail a copy of your deposit slip to nadaphilippines@gmail.com and present the original copy at the forum registration for verification. For questions and clarifications, you may reach us at 0917-7305964, or email us at at the abovementioned address.
Thank you and we are looking forward to your attendance/participation in this annual activity!
Sixth National Acupuncture Detoxification Association
(NADA) Philippines Annual Forum
NADA Philippines:
Facing the Challenges by Using Ear Acupuncture in the Philippine Drug War
Morning Program
7:30 – 8:30 | Registration and ‘Feel the Qi’ | |
8:30 – 8:45 | National Anthem and Invocation | |
8:45 – 9:00
9:00 – 9:20
9:20 – 9:35
9:35 – 9:50
9:50 – 10:00
|
Opening Remarks
Janet Pimentel-Paredes, Board President , NADA Philippines
Keynote Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial, MPH, CESOII, Secretary, Department of Health
Message Dr. Francis Ras, OIC Director-General, PITAHC DOH
The Role of LGU in the Battle Against Substance Abuse Hon. Josefina ‘Joy’ G. Belmonte-Alimurung, Vice Mayor , Quezon City
Inspirational Message Dr. Michael O. Smith, Founder, National Acupuncture Detoxification Association |
|
10:00 – 10:15
10:15 – 10:35
10:35 – 11:00 |
Break
Weaving the Threads of Hope Trisha Janine Sanijon , ADS and Trainer, NADA Philippines
Cordillera Community Based Drug Rehabilitation Dr. Vicky Ducat, Vice President, NADA Philippines |
|
11:00 – 11:15
|
Open Forum | |
11:15 – 11:45
11:45 – 12:15
12:15 |
Research Designs in Traditional Medicine: Issues and Perspectives
Dr. Gemiliano Aligui Board Member, NADA Philippines Open Forum
Lunch |
Afternoon Program
1:15 – 1:30
1:30 – 2:00
|
Intermission
Kim Madridejos and Company
Bio-Psychosocial Perspective on the Problem of Addiction and Impact on Families Dr. Allan Dionisio Department of Family and Community Medicine National Poison Management and Control Center Philippine General Hospital
|
|
2:00 – 2:15
2:15 – 3:00
3:00 – 3:15
3:15 – 3:45
|
Open Forum
NADA Training and Practice in North America: The Spirit of NADA Strengthens Sara Bursac, Executive Director , NADA United States of America
Break
Acupuncture in Post Disaster Missions and Refugees Sylvia Kohn Pandey |
|
3:45 – 4:15
4:15- 4:30
4:30 – 4:45 |
NADA Philippines’ Work with Drug Surrenderees Maria Amparo Peralta, ADS, NADA Philippines
Synthesis John Joseph Posadas, ADS and Trainer, NADA Philippines
Invitation to ADSes and Program Closing Mac Gerald Cueto, Board Member, NADA Philippines |
Dorothy May Nubla and George Facsoy
Hosts

Infanta, Quezon – NADA Philippines representatives conducted a training and community outreach at Infanta, Quezon in partnership with Infanta Mayor Filipina Grace R. America and Fr. Ariel Loterte, the parish priest of St. Mark’s Church. This activity, which was held from August 19 to 22, 2016, was part of the local government’s response to rehabilitate substance users who surrendered themselves for monitoring. It was made possible through the coordination of Quezon ADSes, Leticia A. Odoño and Euleny Lopez-Dee.
A 15-person response team was deployed to handle the activity. The team comprised of ADSes coming from the Cordillera, Cavite, volunteer mothers from Culiat, and other areas of Metro Manila, and three documenters. Four NADA trainers facilitated the training of seven community members coming from different local government offices. The rest of the team simultaneously provided ear acupuncture treatments to substance users, elderly, children, local government officials, church members, and other members of the community. Hearing the activity from the mobilization of government representatives, locals from nearby towns such as Real, Dinahican, and General Nacar also attended the activity for treatment. On the last day, patients were already treated by the trainees from Infanta assisted by NADA representatives.
Substance users who were treated reported of profuse sweating, good sleep, relief from bodily aches and pains, and having a sense of connection with other people among others. After their first treatment, they returned for their succeeding sessions with neighbors and their relatives. In addition, they also experienced renewed focus and readiness for work.
At the end of the activity, the seven trainees from Infanta Quezon were certified as Acupuncture Detoxification Specialists and a total of 361 treatments were given. It also became an avenue for ADSes from various settings to learn from the Infanta experience and to share experiences with other members of the team.
As the very first activity done outside Metro Manila in response to the national drug crisis, NADA Philippines takes this activity as a milestone and a model for future partnerships.
ADS Volunteers:
Ace Lennon Babasa
Frances Bernardino
Luzviminda “Chie” Castillo
Cristina Magno
Josefina Miranda
Janet Paredes
John Joseph Posadas
Trisha Sanijon
Brgy. Culiat, Tandang Sora
Jessica Micabalo
Lorena General
Cordillera
Victor Dacpano
Elina Ramo
George Facsoy
Quezon
Euleny Lopez-Dee
Letty Odoño
-Article written by John Joseph B. Posadas.

Last Saturday, August 13, 2016, NADA Philippines met with the Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial, MD, at the DoH office located at the San Lazaro Compound, Manila. Sec. Ubial called for a meeting with NADA Philippines to discuss about the NADA protocol, the 5-point ear acupuncture protocol for detoxification for drug, alcohol, and cigarette addiction. The DoH Secretary was very open to the NADA protocol as one modality of detoxification in the pressing problem of addiction in the country today.
A collection of stories and articles on the use of magnetic beads, compiled by Jo Ann Lenney of NADA USA.
Patricia A. Janssen, Louise C. Demorest, and Elizabeth M. Whynot‘s article on the use of acupuncture in treating patients for substance abuse in Vancouver is available to read below:
Abstract
In British Columbia, Canada, the City of Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside (DES) represents the poorest urban population in Canada. A prevalence rate of 30% for HIV and 90% for hepatitis C makes this a priority area for public-health interventions aimed at reducing the use of infected drugs. This study examined the utility of acupuncture treatment in reducing substance use in the marginalized, transient population. Acupuncture was offered on a voluntary, drop-in basis 5 days per week at two community agencies. During a 3-month period, the program generated 2,755 client visits. A reduction in overall use of substances (P=.01) was reported by subjects in addition to a decrease in intensity of withdrawal symptoms including “shakes”, stomach cramps, hallucinations, “muddle-headedness,” insomnia, muscle aches, nausea, sweating, heart palpitations, and feeling suicidal, P<.05. Acupuncture offered in the context of a community-based harm reduction model holds promise as an adjunct therapy for reduction of substance use.
Last March 14, 2016, Dr. Ramon Roque nominated NADA Philippines and Ms. Janet Paredes, NADA Philippines Board President, for the Department of Health’s (DOH) search for “Heroes of Health.” Below is the nomination letter. Results will be announced this June 2016.