What is the current status of drug use in the Philippines?

The most common prohibited drug in the Philippines is still the Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or commonly called “Shabu”, it comprises about ninety-four percent (93.72) percent of the total admittances. Then this was followed by Cannabis (Marijuana) of about twenty-three percent (22. 59). The last on the list is the use of Contact Cement (Rugby) with less than one percent (0.73%).

According to the National Household Survey, commissioned by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) of the Philippines, the current drug users in the country is around 1.67 Million as of 2019, more than a hundred thousand decrease from the 1.8 Million figure of the 2015 survey conducted by the same agency.

The majority of admission of users emanates from Males about Eighty-nine percent (89.02%), then followed by a significant number of Females of eleven percent (10.46%), and a few percentages from the members of the LGBTQ (0.52%). Looking at the data, the ratio between males and females is 9:1. Meaning out of ten users, nine were men.

According to statistical data, the youngest reported is 7 years old and the eldest is 68 years old. And the top on the list are users from 40 years old and above garnering twenty-seven percent (27.13%).

In terms of civil status, users who have live-in partners got twenty-one percent (21.10%), married users gain twenty-six percent (25.54%), and the highest percentage are single which compromises almost half of the admitted cases (49.28%), with insignificant numbers from rest, are either widow/er, separated, divorced and annulled (4.07%).

Looking at the educational attainment, users who attained college level are about nineteen percent (18.71%), users who graduated in high school is (19.11%), and the highest percentage are people in high school level with twenty-eight percent (27.99%). According to many people, the incidence of drug addiction rose dramatically where majority of drug users are students with “shabu” being the drug of choice. Many people believed that this rise is attributable to simple curiosity, peer pressure, being active, helps sleep and improves ones diet.

According to client reports, the average monthly household income is moreover thirteen thousand pesos (Php 13,695.65).

In terms of employment, those employed (either workers/ employees or businessmen and self-employed) made up fifty-five percent (55.31 percent), while those unemployed made up thirty-nine percent (39.45 percent). Five percent (5.20 percent) of users are students (3.65 percent), whereas 1.55 percent are out-of-school children. However, a few (0.04 percent) did not declare their employment status.

Before admission, about thirty-two percent (32.41 percent) of the reported cases resided in the National Capital Region, while nearly fifteen percent (14.92 percent) are inhabitants of Region 4-A of CALABARZON.

In terms of the age at which the client first tried drugs, 38% (38.21%) are between the ages of 15 and 19. Forty-four percent (43.85 percent) reported using narcotics 2 to 5 times per week, with roughly twenty-one percent (20.55 percent) weekly.

BUT, how are we battling Drug use in the Philippines?

The Treatment and Rehabilitation Admission Information System received reports from 55 treatment and rehabilitation facilities (TRAIS). Fifty-three (53) of these are residential, while two (2) are outpatient.

Admissions decreased by 4.04 percent (220) when compared to the previous year. This could be largely attributed to the community-based drug rehabilitation program (CBDRP), which allows those categorized as low to moderate risk to avoid treatment and rehabilitation in a facility. Instead, individuals are enrolled in the CBDRP and receive suitable intrusion.

Voluntary compliance with a court order has declined by 13.24 percent. The percentage drop in voluntary submission with the court order could be attributable to those who choose to freely submit to the community, and the evaluation results reveal that more drug users require merely intervention through the CBDRP.

Source: https://www.ddb.gov.ph/.../45.../499-2019-statistics...