The social action arm of Manila Archdiocese has provided livelihood training and marketing assistance to drug addicts during a three-day product expo that ended on Sept. 18.
"Part of the church's drug rehabilitation and restoration program is to give [drug users] new opportunities through alternative livelihood programs," said Father Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila.
He said the church will use its social enterprise marketing arm, Caritas Margins, to provide help to victims of illegal drugs.
"We want them to become social entrepreneurs," said the priest in an interview on Sept. 16.
Caritas Margins showcased various products from different community partners, such as artwork from inmates of penal communities under the Caritas Restorative Justice Ministry.
The priest said that extending the program to drug offenders is one way of reintegrating them to society.