32 JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council’s (BADAC) Drug Clearing Program: Basis for the Development of Community Rehabilitation Program for Drug Surrenderees SAEREL B. REBUSQUILLO https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7149-3998 saerelrebusquillo@gmail.com Bicol College Daraga, Albay, Philippines Originality: 100% • Grammar Check: 99% • Plagiarism: 0% ABSTRACT The social and medical problems of drug abuse are a matter of increasing global concern. The government, through its joint efforts with the concerned agencies, the authorities, and criminal justice professionals, sought to find solutions to address the problems on illegal drugs. Unfortunately, until now, it has not been solved. The war on drugs became an unending process of killings and repeated use of drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of implementation of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program and the problems encountered in Albay province. To facilitate the study, the researcher used descriptive method of research. The respondents of the study were the barangay officials, drug surrenderees, and police officers in the two selected municipalities and city in the second district of Albay. The statistical techniques used in the study were weighted arithmetic mean, Kruskal Wallis H, and Mann Whitney u. The survey questionnaire was used to facilitate the collection of data from the respondents. Data revealed that the pre-operation phase, operation phase, Vol. 40 · March 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7719/jpair.v40i1.770 Print ISSN 2012-3981 Online ISSN 2244-0445 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. mailto:saerelrebusquillo@gmail.com 33 International Peer Reviewed Journal and post-operation phase of BADAC’s drug clearing program are implemented. However, the topmost problem encountered is the lack of rehabilitation facilities. Thus, the program of BADAC is functional through the active participation of the barangay officials, but inevitable problems occur in its implementation. Keywords — Criminology, implementation, drug abuse, drug surrenderees, descriptive method, Philippines INTRODUCTION Illegal drug use is a major problem and a global concern. The menace of drug abuse has eaten deep into the fabrics of society (Oluremi Fareo, 2012). The widespread consumption of drugs leads to a more complex dilemma around the world. The impact of drugs in society is becoming more severe than imagined. Degenhardt and Hall (2012) defined illicit drugs as “drugs for which non- medical use has been prohibited by international drug control treaties for half a century because they are believed to present unacceptable risks of addiction to users. While for Strang et al. (2012), illicit drugs are harmful to the society because it adversely affects the public health, breeds the occurrence of crimes, and affects the family and the breakdown of the community. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2017) estimated that 1 in 20 adults, or a quarter of a billion people between the ages of 15 and 64 years, used at least one drug in 2014. The growing population of drug users is roughly the equivalent of the combined populations of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, though a substantial amount has grown to a global population. Cejes and Etis (2016) cited that typical drug users have a dominant age group of 20 to 28 years old, having a ratio of 10:1 of male versus female, usually unemployed and educational attainment of high school level. Most were living in urban areas and have taken different kinds of illegal drugs. Drugs target the youth in their most productive years. As a consequence, drug abuse can easily convert a vibrant source of productivity into a burden on society. Lyman (2013) stressed that the extent of global involvement in the illicit drug trade illustrates the magnitude of the problem because many countries play a major role in furnishing dangerous drugs. In South America, the three Andean nations of Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia are the most active coca- and cocaine-producing countries in the world. Shockingly, the US government seems powerless to attack the supply of drugs (Bennett, 2016). Additionally, Chen et 34 JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research al. (2013) stated that the Golden Triangle, composed of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, produced heroin and smuggled it in Chinese territory. It was notably recorded that there are 1.14 million registered addicts in China, and heroin is the most commonly abused drug. Drug-related crimes are much of a concern, and the association of illegal drugs to public health issues was very alarming. The growing problem of illegal drugs created numerous international drug policies that prohibit the production, transportation, sale, and the use of illegal drugs. Indeed, supply control and demand reduction are the goals of drug policies. In the study of Madsen (2012), he discussed that the enactment of anti-drug policies gained its forced execution in the year 1970. In the study of Ford and Saville (2017), they found out that criminalization and incarceration of people who use drugs mainly from the impoverished society remain their primary response in almost all the members of the United Nations. The death penalty is retained in most countries. They hardly recommend the changing of drug policies, which is urgently needed in society. Tharanga (2016) believed that abstinence and prohibition policies are not the only way to address the problems on illegal drugs and the treatment of alcohol and illegal drug abuse. They suggested in their studies the adoption of harm reduction strategy that targets reducing the damage caused to the individual’s health and controlling adverse consequences that result from the adoption of risk practices. However, according to Youngers (2014), the bloody war on drugs in Colombia and Mexico challenged the prevailing international drug control policies. Colombia adopted the recommendation of the international community and yet did not achieve the desired results. The countries in Latin America wanted to promote drug policy reform. Bolivia is the first country to denounce and return to reservation of coca leaf despite strong objection from the United States and Russia. Bolivian’s new constitution recognizes the right to use coca for traditional and legal purposes. Since the declaration of President Nixon of the war on drugs, the U.S government took hold to dictate policies throughout the region. But the war on drugs has not given the results they hoped for. Cartels have grown in strength, and numerous lives were sacrificed. Even the United States continues to advocate a “tough on drugs,” as the legalization of the use of marijuana in their state resulted in credibility problem among the Latin American government. Latin America wanted reform to drug laws by decriminalizing possession for personal use and ensure proportionality in the sentence by reducing the unjustly high sentences. In Ecuador, its government is finally adopting a new penal code that will promote evidence-based treatments. 35 International Peer Reviewed Journal On the other hand, in Asia, the issues on illegal drugs are seemingly problematic. In the study conducted of Yi et al. (2017) in the countries of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, it was found out that the countries of Philippines, Indonesia and Laos had a high prevalence of illicit drug use specifically, the college students. The drug war in the Philippines and Indonesia resulted in thousands of individuals killed, and most of them crowding the prisons of our correctional system (Mutiarin, Tomaro, & Almarez, 2019). Tanguay et al. (2015) state that the detention of people who use drugs in compulsory centers in the name of treatment is common in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The expansion of such practices has been costly, has not generated positive health outcomes, and has not reduced supply or demand for illicit drugs. Law enforcement plays a major role in enforcing drug policies. Alexandris Polomarkakis (2017) stated in his study that law enforcement had been the prevalent choice insofar as drug control is concerned. It is used to alleviate the harmful effects drugs have on people and society in general. The results of his study revealed that drug law enforcement associated costs outweigh its benefits. He found that law enforcement exacerbates and increases the harm to users, worsens public health levels, and reproduces social exclusion and division. In the crime control strategy, law enforcement has consequently failed to achieve its goals. One good example is the increasing number of drug suspects killed in drug operations in the Philippines. Recently, the killing of the minor Kian Delos Santos placed the police and their operations in public scrutiny. Police claimed that the boy was a drug runner and used to sell 10 grams of shabu or 18,000 a day before he was killed. Fan (2013) mentioned that the British Government’s recent drug strategy, “Reducing Demand, Restricting Supply, and Building Recovery: Supporting People to Live a Drug-Free Life of 2010, focused on recovery to drug addiction. Abstinence from illicit drugs will promote recovery to drug addiction. Recovery is a new means of treating addiction. Research commissioned for the Treatment Effectiveness Review initiated by the Minister of Health Brian Mowhinney in the mid-1990s showed that abstaining from illicit drugs showed positive results. The study of Firesheets, Francis, Barnum, and Rolf (2012) emphasized the important role of the community in its grassroots level in the success of substance abuse prevention efforts. Using an interactive systems framework, the community helped in promoting the adoption of evidence-based substance abuse prevention 36 JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research practices. The community interacted and got involved in the program, attaining more effective results in preventing substance abuse. Also, Cox et al. (2017) stated that community involvement is needed to address the problems of drug abuse and criminalities. There is a necessity for the willingness of the police to engage the community in resolving crimes, prevention, and control. Community engagement in this global problem must be achieved. Strict implementation of policies regarding the use of illegal drugs was published in every nation, yet its proliferation is still in progress. In the Philippines, programs developed by the agencies concerned were implemented, but until now, their objective in eradicating drug use in the country is not yet attained. Despite the unpleasant effects of illegal drugs on an individual and the community, rampant use is still observed. The cooperation of the community, particularly those on the grassroots level, is the key to the eradication of illegal drugs in the country. Drug use as a national problem can be resolved at the barangay level. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (2015), the Philippines is composed of 42,036 barangays. These barangays and their constituents are more knowledgeable about the issues and concerns in their communities. Illegal drug activities are happening in the neighborhoods, and they are most likely to know first. Therefore, the barangay as the basic political unit of the government, can be the source of primary information and act as the first line of defense in combatting the illegal drug problem and criminalities in the community. With this idea, the aim for the nationwide eradication of illegal drugs leads to the creation of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) in all the barangays nationwide. The BADAC leads in drug prevention and control in the community on the grassroots level - the barangay. Memorandum Circular No. 2015-63 addressed to provincial governors, city, municipal mayors, and punong barangays stated the need to revitalize the BADAC in the drug clearing operations. It was issued to emphasize to local authorities their principal responsibilities support all government efforts to address peace and order, particularly to curb illegal drugs and other substances. The BADACs were deputized and empowered to plan and implement strategic policies and evaluate programs and projects on drug prevention and control, given the political and police powers of the barangay to administer the affairs of the community. With the given mandate and responsibility, the burden of implementing the program is in the hands of the local officials to attain a drug-free community. Likewise, sanctions for those who will not support the creation of BADACs were enumerated in the memorandum. 37 International Peer Reviewed Journal In Albay, where the study was conducted, 105 barangays out of 720 barangays in 18 municipalities are affected by this social problem according to the police report conducted by Albay Provincial Police Office. With the relentless campaign against illegal drugs, it was revealed that several barangays in Albay province are really affected by this social menace. In fact, statistics show that during the start of the campaign against illegal drugs in 2016, thousands of drug surrenderees, whether users and pushers, surrendered to the police. The watch list provided by the BADAC were given to the police to monitor the drug users and pushers in the barangay. Based on a police report prepared by Albay Provincial Police Office, there was a total of 26, 011 drug surrenderees who personally appeared in police stations from October 2016-August 2017. However, those who surrendered returned to their illegal drug activities after a few months and led to the bloody war on drugs. According to Representative Aleta Suarez, it was evidenced by the growing number of prisoners in jails and prison cells due to drug-related crimes. Buy-bust operations and arrest of drug personalities are conducted by the police. A total of 241 operations were conducted in Albay by the police. Kasurog Bicol (2016) reported that the number three target drug personality in Albay province was killed in a buy-bust operation. Notwithstanding the actions taken by the police in cooperation with the barangays, the province is still affected by illegal drugs. Arguelles (2017) stated that drug problems remain in Albay. Thirty-seven (37) villages in the province are not yet cleared despite the efforts of the government to address the problems of illegal drugs. Arthur Gomez, Albay police spokesperson, said that among the barangays considered to be still drug-affected were 16 villages in Legazpi City; seven in Tabaco City; six in Guinobatan; three in Oas; two in Daraga; and one each in the municipalities of Pio Duran and Sto. Domingo and Ligao City. These are all under the evaluation of PDEA. Also, the Provincial Police Office update on drugs as of September 2017 stated that there were ten uncleared barangays in the province out of 105 barangays declared as drug-affected. In the second district of Albay, Camalig was 100% cleared while Daraga had two barangays uncleared out of five affected barangays, and in Legaspi City, five barangays out of 16 affected barangays were uncleared. Despite the declaration of PDEA that the barangays in the second district were almost a hundred percent cleared, illegal drugs are not totally suppressed. The question is raised whether the barangays are totally cleared from the ill-effects of drugs. 38 JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research As the barangays were declared clear from illegal drugs, maintaining their status as a great challenge on the part of the barangay officials. However, the Dangerous Drug Board, as the policy-making body of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency issued a Board Regulation No. 3 for the strengthening of the implementation of the Drug Clearing Program through the BADAC. The Board Regulation provides guidelines for implementing the Barangay Drug Clearing Program. Hence, this study assessed the level of implementation of the Drug Clearing Program under the BADAC of selected barangays in the Third District of Albay. Likewise, it determined the level of compliance in adherence to the directives given by the government in curbing the illegal drugs starting from the grassroots level of criminality and addiction. This study aimed to show the status and condition of drug clearing programs and the extent of implementation to resolve the problems on illegal drugs, specifically the selected barangays in the second district of Albay. This study sought to take a look if the barangay level approach is the best approach in eradicating drug use in the community. It aimed to assess the programs given to the drug surrenderees so as not to return to their illegal activities. FRAMEWORK Lyman and Potter (2014) cited that social disorganization theory was one of the popular explanations for drug abuse. It addressed its links with poverty, social disorganization, and feeling of hopelessness. It explained that racial prejudice, low socioeconomic status, lack of positive self-esteem, and uncharitable surroundings linked them to drug use and poverty. The changing environment and the inequality experienced by the people lead them to the consumption of drugs. It can be noted that the environment plays a significant role in how an individual view the world they lived in. People forget their life situations whenever they use drugs and, for a long time, became a habit that cannot be controlled. This theory supported the present study because drug use is a social problem and occurring in an environment, specifically in a barangay. The presence of illegal drugs in the community leads to a disorganized society and can be addressed by changing its structure to a more productive and drug-free community. Drug use and the involvement of the community to criminalities can be prevented by implementing programs that can help the people abstain from illegal drugs and alleviate their current situation in terms of poverty. This theory can help to form 39 International Peer Reviewed Journal strategies that can prevent criminalities in disadvantaged communities. This is very useful in formulating recommendations and possible measures to help drug users in the community fight the harmful effects of drugs. Developing a socially disorganized community into an organized one by giving the people a positive outlook in life and valuable support from the community can be a resilient factor to engage in drug use and criminality. The factors that led to the disorganization of society can be addressed by providing the people equal opportunities and show their worth in their community. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The study aimed to evaluate the level of implementation of the Barangay Drug Abuse Clearing Program of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council implemented by the selected barangays of the second district of Albay province. This served as the basis for the development of community rehabilitation programs at the barangay level for drug surrenderees. Specifically, it sought to answer the following objectives: (1) to evaluate the level of implementation of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program in selected barangays of the second district of Albay in terms of a. illegal drug prevention information drive (pre-operation phase); conduct of drug clearing operation (operation phase); status of the barangay after drug clearing operation (post-operation phase); and (2) to evaluate the level of effectiveness of the drug clearing programs implemented by Barangay Anti- Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) of the selected barangays in the second district of Albay province METHODOLOGY Research Design A descriptive survey method of research was used to facilitate the study. This research design was favored in gathering significant data from the responses given by the respondents. Furthermore, this research method is appropriate to the nature of the study that aimed to provide a systematic description of a phenomenon through the response of the respondents using a closed structured questionnaire. Research Site The study was conducted in the Second District of Albay, where the city of C-A and the municipalities of M-A and M-B are located. There were three 40 JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research barangays selected from each municipality and the city. They were chosen as research locale of the study because the Philippine National Police identified them as having the largest number of drug surrenderees and most likely rampant problem on illegal drugs in Albay. The location of the study was also considered since these places are classified as urban areas. Participants Respondents of the study were the barangay officials, drug surrenderees, and police officers of the municipalities and city in the Second District of Albay. Complete enumeration was used in the study. There were 70 barangay officials, 45 police officers in City “C-A,” 30 police officers in the municipality “M-A,” and 32 police officers in the municipality “M-B.” With respect to drug surrenderee respondents, 51 from City “C-A,” 25 from municipality “M-A,” and 18 from municipality “M-B.” There was a total of nine (9) barangays in the two municipalities and one city. Hence, there were 70 barangay officials, 94 drug surrenderees, and 107 PNP members from the two municipalities and the city, with a grand total of 271 respondents. They were considered as respondents because they gave first-hand information needed for the study, and they are deemed knowledgeable and competent to provide the necessary data. The barangay officials who were tasked to implement the program and the drug surrenderees who underwent the drug clearing program in their respective barangays gave valuable information critically needed in the research. The police officers were also knowledgeable and experienced about the operation of BADAC because the chief of police of the station acts as the adviser of the council. They were selected from the two municipalities and one city of the Second District of Albay. The survey was conducted in the three barangays of City “C- A” (Brgy. C-A1, Brgy. C-A2, and Brgy. C-A3); three barangays in municipality “M-A” (Brgy. M-A1, Brgy. M-A2, and Brgy. M-A3); and three barangays in municipality “MB” (Brgy. M-B1, Brgy. M-B2, and Brgy. M-B3). The study considered the identified drug-affected barangays as a priority in selecting the research environment so as to accurately evaluate the implementation of the Drug Clearing Program. The barangay official respondents of the study were most likely male who had finished their baccalaureate degree and have an average age of 33, and the majority of them were barangay councilors, while the PNP respondents were dominated by males who finished their baccalaureate degree, which is a minimum requirement for entering the police service, and with the average age of 36. Meanwhile, the drug surrenderee respondents were most 41 International Peer Reviewed Journal likely males; the majority finished their secondary education and have diverse occupations. They have an average age of 38. Instrumentation The response of the respondents was gathered through a closed structured questionnaire, which was validated by the faculty of the College of Criminal Justice and some of the stakeholders were it was distributed, more likely the PNP and the barangay officials. The first part of the questionnaire included the level of implementation of the programs of BADAC from the pre-operation phase to the post-operation phase, and the second part is the level of effectiveness of the Drug Clearing Program by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council. Before the questionnaires were distributed to the respondents, the researcher sought first the approval of the Research Ethics Committee in the Institute of Graduate Studies. The research was approved and recommended for the distribution of the questionnaires to the respective respondents. The researcher guaranteed the confidentiality and privacy of the respondents through the informed consent and Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) following the pattern issued by the Institute of Graduate Studies and Research. Likewise, the researcher sought approval from the mayors of the different municipalities to conduct research and from the respective barangay captains of each barangay. Data Collection Weighted arithmetic mean was used in evaluating the level of implementation of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program and the level of effectiveness of the Drug Clearing Program by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council to have a drug- cleared community. 42 JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Level of Implementation of the Drug Clearing program of BADAC. This part shows that the programs for the pre-operation phase of BADAC in the Second District of Albay were implemented and widely observed specifically by the barangay officials and the PNP. The respondents said that the seminars and drug education were routinely conducted in their barangays to prevent the use of illegal drugs. This strategy helped in raising awareness through information dissemination regarding the ill effects of illegal drugs. The Dangerous Drugs Board stressed that the strategy seeks to discourage users and future abusers from using illegal drugs and continuously abuse themselves. The respondents also believed that the barangay officials are highly coordinating with the PNP, as evidenced by the positive response given by the drug surrenderees. Suspicious activities were immediately reported to the police and acted upon by them. It can be seen that the barangay officials and PNP respondents have a relatively positive response as compared to the drug surrenderee respondents. The table further shows that there is somehow a difference in the responses of the drug surrenderees, barangay officials, and the PNP. As can be observed, the drug surrenderees revealed the inconsistency in the implementation of the program. These findings are in consonance with the statement of Alexandris Polomarkakis (2017) that law enforcement plays a major role in enforcing drug policies. It is a prevalent choice when fighting against criminalities and drug control. The police officers are specifically employed to maintain peace and order in the community, and part of their responsibilities is to alleviate the harmful effects of drugs to the general public. However, the setting up of referral desk where drug dependents are endorsed to authorized representatives of the Dangerous Drugs Board and organization of groups that combat illegal drugs through house clusters were perceived by the barangay officials and the drug surrenderees as not consistently implemented. The lack of community involvement impedes the implementation of the pre- operation phase in terms of house clusters wherein the community’s cooperation is necessary. Community involvement at the grassroots level plays an essential role in combatting illegal drug use and abuse, and the success of prevention efforts relied upon it ( Firesheets, Francis, Barnum, & Rolf, 2012); Cox et al., 2017). The respondents from the barangays seem to lack the capability to endorse drug surrenderees because the endorsements do not originate from the barangay 43 International Peer Reviewed Journal officials but through the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) as stated by the barangay captain respondents of the study. The drug surrenderees perceived that it was implemented, but the services of the program were not received by them. Table 1. Respondents’ Assessment of the Pre-Operation Phase of BADAC PRE-OPERATION WM Barangay Officials Drug Surrenderees PNP Total Descriptive Meaning WM Descriptive Meaning WM Descriptive Meaning WM Descriptive Meaning WM 1. Barangay officials conduct an anti-illegal drug seminar where they discuss how to avoid illegal drugs. 3.84 Imple- mented 3.66 Imple- mented 4.07 Imple- mented 3.87 Imple- mented 2. Barangay officials coor- dinate with the police in reporting suspicious activi- ties in the barangay. 3.81 Imple- mented 3.57 Imple- mented 4.07 Imple- mented 3.83 Imple- mented 3. Barangay officials identi- fied the puroks and sitios where illegal drug transac- tions were being used. 4.11 Imple- mented 3.23 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.86 Imple- mented 3.71 Imple- mented 4. Barangay officials identi- fied the house clusters affected by illegal drugs. 3.73 Imple- mented 3.32 Implement- ed, but not consistently 4.03 Imple- mented 3.70 Imple- mented 5. Barangay officials report the selling and use of illegal drugs to the PDEA. 3.68 Imple- mented 3.34 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.96 Imple- mented 3.67 Imple- mented 6. Barangay officials identi- fied the puroks and sitios where illegal drug transactions were being conducted. 3.61 Imple- mented 3.24 Implement- ed, but not consistently 4.02 Imple- mented 3.65 Imple- mented 7. Barangay officials organize groups, each one assigned with a leader, aiming to combat illegal drugs in the barangay through house clusters. 3.69 Imple- mented 3.34 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.86 Imple- mented 3.63 Imple- mented 8. Barangay officials put up a Referral Desk where drug dependents are endorsed to authorized representatives of the Dangerous Drugs Board. 3.27 Imple- mented, but not consis- tently 3.22 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.71 Imple- mented 3.43 Imple- mented Overall 3.72 Imple- mented 3.37 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.95 Imple- mented 3.69 Imple- mented Legend: Lower Higher Verbal Description 1.00 1.80 Not implemented at all 1.81 2.60 Barely implemented 2.61 3.40 Implemented, but not consistently 3.41 4.20 Implemented 4.21 5.00 Effectively implemented Likewise, the drug surrenderees rated the pre-operation phase of the BADAC as not consistently implemented because not all of the programs were provided to them. Satisfaction was not felt by the drug surrenderee respondents in terms of 44 JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research organization of house clusters, the designation of cluster leaders, and consistency in identifying puroks where illegal transactions involving drugs were made. As to the operation phase of BADAC, it revealed that the barangay officials coordinate with the PNP and actively participate in the implementation of the BADAC programs. The respondents answered that the implementation of buy- bust operations and raids are regularly conducted in their barangay. They believed that peace and order are maintained in the community during the course of the operations. It was also consistently shown that law enforcement actively participates in the conduct of drug clearing in the operation phase through the consolidated efforts of the barangay officials and the PNP. Similar responses can be observed in the respondents’ assessment of the operation phase. This result of the operation phase can be supported by the data recorded by the Albay Provincial Police Office, where 241 drug operations were conducted in the province in a year, 26, 011 personally surrendered to the police, and 297 were arrested. The DILG Memorandum 2015-63 emphasized that the “operation phase” is the actual implementation of the drug supply and demand reduction strategies in the most drug-affected barangays. Non-availability of drug supply in the community and the active participation of the barangay officials are essential elements to achieve a drug-cleared community. 45 International Peer Reviewed Journal Table 2. Respondents’ Assessment of the Operation Phase of BADAC OPERATION WM Barangay officials Drug Surrenderees PNP Total Descrip- tive Meaning WM Descriptive Meaning WM Descriptive Meaning WM Descriptive Meaning WM 1. Barangay officials witnessed buy- bust operations and drug raids in the barangay. 3.54 Imple- mented 3.49 Imple- mented 4.18 Imple- mented 3.77 Imple- mented 2. Barangay of- ficials maintain peace and order by conduct- ing anti-illegal drug operations prescribed by the PNP and PDEA. 3.52 Imple- mented 3.57 Imple- mented 4.01 Imple- mented 3.73 Imple- mented 3. Barangay officials assist PNP and PDEA au- thorities in their operations. 3.55 Imple- mented 3.47 Imple- mented 4.04 Imple- mented 3.71 Imple- mented 4. Barangay of- ficials process applications for voluntary and compulsory rehabilitation of drug surrender- ees. 3.54 Imple- mented 3.39 Imple- mented, but not consis- tently 4.07 Imple- mented 3.70 Imple- mented Overall 3.54 Imple- mented 3.48 Imple- mented 4.07 Imple- mented 3.73 Imple- mented Legend: Lower Higher Verbal Description 1.00 1.80 Not implemented at all 1.81 2.60 Barely implemented 2.61 3.40 Implemented, but not consistently 3.41 4.20 Implemented 4.21 5.00 Effectively implemented The post-operation phase of BADAC is implemented as perceived by the barangay officials and the drug surrenderees who shared the same evaluation. However, inconsistent implementation of the programs of the BADAC was observed by the respondents. They said that clean-up drives and other pro-environment activities, followed by the organization of competitive games such as basketball, volleyball, etc. to promote physical and mental development of barangay residents are being practiced in the barangay. These activities are the basic rehabilitation activities done in their barangay, helping those drug surrenderees to turn away from the negative impact of drugs in their lives. 46 JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research Counseling programs as an important part of the rehabilitation program were not consistently implemented as perceived by the respondents. It was not given considerable attention to their implementation. According to Sharma (2017), aftercare must be given to the drug surrenderees undergoing treatment so that relapse and recurrence must be avoided. Recovery management empowers them to understand their condition, teaches them how to cope with triggers and stress, and manage the symptoms. Significantly, it reduces the risk of relapse and re-hospitalization after they receive treatment. These findings are supported by Oluremi Fareo (2012), who recommended that effective counseling programs can solve the problem of drug users. He added that drug control counseling centers and the employment of qualified health counselors to help drug surrenderees cope with the problem must be established. Livelihood programs were also rated as implemented, although not consistently, wherein the Technical Education and Skill Development Authority (TESDA) give free skills training to drug surrenderees in order to give employment opportunities and source of livelihood. These programs are found to be effective in achieving recovery for drug surrenderees. However, lack of coordination of the barangay officials with TESDA and appropriate agencies in the implementation of livelihood programs resulted to lower assessments by the drug surrenderees. Religious activities, one of the components of the holistic approach in achieving recovery, were given lower assessments by drug surrenderees and found inconsistently implemented. Connolly and Granfield (2017) gave emphasis on the association of faith-based organizations to cater to the spiritual aspect of the drug surrenderees. Their participation with the street ministry and faith-based organizations can develop their much-needed recovery capital to improve their life condition. Religious involvement is significantly associated with a lower likelihood of illegal drug use. The more likely the individual is attached to religious activities, the more the person is not associated with the use of illegal drugs (Edlund et al., 2010). Food for Work program was implemented in some of the barangays but was not consistently given to the drug surrenderees. This will greatly help in the rehabilitation process if it is implemented properly. 47 International Peer Reviewed Journal Table 3. Respondents’ Assessment of the Post-operation Phase of BADAC POST-OPERATION WM Barangay officials Drug Surrenderees PNP Total Descriptive Meaning WM Descriptive Meaning WM Descriptive Meaning WM Descriptive Meaning 1. Barangay officials in- volve drug surrenderees in clean-up drives and other pro-environment activities. 3.46 Imple- mented 3.29 Implement- ed, but not consistently 4.01 Imple- mented 3.62 Imple- mented 2. Barangay officials organize and sponsor competitive games such as basketball, volleyball, etc. to promote the physical and mental development of barangay residents. 3.21 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.47 Imple- mented 3.93 Imple- mented 3.58 Imple- mented 3. Barangay officials coordi- nate with the church in order to encourage reli- gious activities like regular church attendance. 3.43 Imple- mented 3.29 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.80 Imple- mented 3.53 Imple- mented 4. Barangay officials con- duct an anti-illegal drug seminar. 3.39 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.41 Imple- mented 3.70 Imple- mented 3.52 Imple- mented 5. Barangay officials provide income opportunities for drug surrenderees by selling souvenirs and deco- rative items. 3.20 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.37 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.82 Imple- mented 3.51 Imple- mented 6. Barangay officials en- dorse drug surrenderees as players for athletic competitions such as the “Congressional Cup.” 3.09 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.33 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.84 Imple- mented 3.47 Imple- mented 7. The barangay captain provides livelihood programs for drug surren- derees, such as the “Food for Work.” 3.06 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.24 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.83 Imple- mented 3.43 Imple- mented 8. Barangay officials regularly call Zone Meetings for drug surrenderees. 3.11 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.34 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.72 Imple- mented 3.43 Imple- mented 9. Barangay officials regularly conduct house-to-house visits to monitor activities of drug surrenderees. 3.11 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.18 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.73 Imple- mented 3.38 Imple- mented, but not consis- tently 10. Barangay officials in coordination with licensed counselors sponsor coun- seling programs in order to guide drug dependents towards recovery. 2.96 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.06 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.81 Imple- mented 3.33 Imple- mented, but not consis- tently Overall 3.20 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.30 Implement- ed, but not consistently 3.82 Imple- mented 3.48 Imple- mented Legend: Lower Higher Verbal Description 1.00 1.80 Not implemented at all 1.81 2.60 Barely implemented 2.61 3.40 Implemented, but not consistently 3.41 4.20 Implemented 4.21 5.00 Effectively implemented 48 JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Drug Clearing Program by the BADAC This section reveals the respondents’ assessment of the level of effectiveness of the programs of the BADAC. The respondents assessed that all the indicators were effective. The positive assessment is focused on the involvement of the drug- surrenderees in the Clean and Green and other pro-environment activities, the conduct of regular drug awareness and prevention seminars in their barangay, and the engagement of the drug surrenderees in the sports activities. These activities are directly concentrated on the individual improvements of surrenderees because Olmstead (2016) said that when people participate in sports, they are given more mental than physical health benefits, such as the ability to focus, a boost of self-confidence, socialization with a network of people, and the acquisition of important morals and values like camaraderie and goodwill. Rambaree, Mousavi, and Ahmadi (2018) added that sports protect the youth from getting engaged in the use of illegal drugs, thus promoting a healthy lifestyle for them. Counseling programs are also perceived by the respondents as effective in the rehabilitation of drug surrenderees. It agrees with the study of Timpson et al. (2016), which stressed that the recovery of the drug surrenderees must be a priority. They also said that internal motivation, peer support, social networks, and daily structure are integral in supporting individuals to achieve recovery. Hence, the drug surrenderees must have a consistent view of their own recovery outcomes and benefits to become a reformed individual. Engagement in religious activities is also seen as an effective program in eradicating illegal drugs. It is in accord with the study of Al-Omari, Hamed, and Abu Tariah (2015), which found out that drug surrenderees need divine intervention in the recovery process of the drug users. It serves as a protector from drug and alcohol abuse in the future. The respondents believed in the effectiveness of the program, but continuous support was not maintained. Effectiveness can be attained by the continuous implementation of the program to determine its strengths and weaknesses. It conforms to the statement of Lurigio (2011) that programs administered to drug users should be routinely examined by outside evaluators to determine whether services are being implemented as planned and to measure the overall impact of services. Evaluation of program impact must include a variety of outcome measures such as treatment retention, desistence from criminal activities, length of time to relapse and re-arrest, development of vocational skills, employment, social, psychological and family functioning, reliance on social agencies, physical and emotional health. 49 International Peer Reviewed Journal Table 4. Level of Effectiveness of the Drug Clearing Programs LEVEL OF EFFECTIVENESS WM Barangay officials Drug Surrenderees OverallDescriptive Meaning WM Descriptive Meaning WM Descriptive Meaning 1. Involving drug surrenderees in the Clean and Green and other pro-environment projects. 3.39 Very effective 2.97 Effective 3.15 Effective 2. Regularly conducting drug awareness and prevention seminars in the barangay. 3.09 Effective 3.16 Effective 3.13 Effective 3. Organizing athletic competitions like basketball, volleyball, board games, etc. to engage barangay youth. 3.30 Very effective 3.01 Effective 3.13 Effective 4. Implementing the Barangay-Based Rehabilitation Program. 3.26 Very effective 2.98 Effective 3.10 Effective 5. Coordinating with the PNP in the anti-illegal drug campaign. 3.30 Very effective 2.94 Effective 3.09 Effective 6. Conducting counseling programs designed specifically for drug surrenderees. 3.16 Effective 3.00 Effective 3.07 Effective 7. Conducting seminars aimed at spreading awareness among barangay residents on the effects of illegal drugs to themselves and to the community. 3.17 Effective 2.98 Effective 3.06 Effective 8. Conducting regular mass/religious services every Sunday. 3.21 Effective 2.94 Effective 3.05 Effective 9. Forming groups aimed at combatting illegal drugs in the barangay. 3.14 Effective 2.96 Effective 3.04 Effective 10. Regularly conducting home visits to drug surrenderees in order to monitor their activities. 3.11 Effective 2.93 Effective 3.01 Effective Overall 3.21 Effective 2.99 Effective 3.08 Effective Legend: Lower Higher Verbal Description 1.00 1.75 Not effective at all 1.76 2.50 Somewhat effective 2.51 3.25 Effective 3.26 4.00 Very effective CONCLUSIONS The drug clearing program under the pre-operation phase, operation phase, and post-operation phase is being implemented. The barangay officials are active, and the programs are functional, specifically in the pre-operation and operation phases. However, the programs for post-operation are not given enough consideration because of the varying responses of the drug surrenderees. Somehow, the drug surrenderees are not fully satisfied with the implementation of the programs. The BADAC programs were found effective as the barangay officials are following the memorandum set by the DILG and the guidelines established by the DDB. The programs being implemented also showed to be 50 JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research effective in terms of the clean and green projects, seminars and drug education, and organization of sports activities. Maintenance and sustainability of the program must be attained subjected to recommendations by the researcher. The community involvement helped a lot in dealing with the problems of illegal drugs. Combating the ill-effects of drugs must be the responsibility of the community as a whole, not only by the government or law enforcement. The grassroots problems that started in the community must also be resolved in the also at the bottom level of the society. TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH The findings and recommendations of the study are highly suggested for the monitoring and continuous activity of the drug surrenderees in the community. The program must be forwarded to the agencies concerned for funding and realization of the activities proposed. Improvement of the program and further evaluation is necessary based on the need of the drug surrenderees. The program may be made useful in the achievement of a drug-cleared community. RECOMMENDATIONS Resolving the maintenance and sustainability of the program, the researcher formulated a Barangay-Based Rehabilitation Program for Drug Surrenderees that aims to strengthen and improve the rehabilitation process conducted by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council. This program will be useful since the anti-drug campaign is still in progress. The general objective of the program is to continuously implement the post-operation phase of the BADAC in the areas which the barangay officials did not give emphasis to the program. In addition, this program is a Therapeutic Community Modality Program (TCMP)-inspired. The said program is implemented by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to their respective inmates in jail. Since it was a community-based program that aims to resolve the problems of rehabilitation facilities, the researcher believes that it can also be applied to the drug surrenderees. An example of a program of activities for drug surrenderees is offered by the researcher to have a clear goal of what is to be done by the implementers and the drug surrenderees as the beneficiary of the program. Sources of funds can be shouldered by the government agencies concerned, and the period of 51 International Peer Reviewed Journal rehabilitation can last up to 3 to 6 months, depending on the need for the drug surrenderees for rehabilitation. COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR DRUG SURRENDEREES Areas of Re- habilitation for Drug Surrenderees Objectives Person Involved/ Agencies Concerned Strategies Sources of Fund Counseling Programs a. Repair the damages to the drug surrenderee brought about by the use of illegal drugs. b. Treat depression and disorders brought about the use of illegal drugs. c. Regain their self-esteem and trust in society. d. Improve the psychological and emotional well-being of the drug surrenderees. Rural Health Unit Department of Social Welfare and Develop- ment (DSWD) Therapeutic Community Worker a. One-to-one dialogue between the drug surrenderee and counselor to know the predicaments of the person b. Assessment of the current situa- tion of the drug surrenderee and recommendation of measures for individual recovery c. Involvement of family in the counseling programs to feel their love and support to their family member d. One-on-one and group counseling with drug surrenderees DOH DSWD NGO’s Livelihood & Skills Develop- ment a. Provide additional knowledge and skills training that will help the drug surrenderee to become a productive citizen of the community. b. Offer vocational courses to drug surrenderees that will be of great help to their reintegration into the society. c. Provide livelihood opportunities to the family of surrenderees undergoing treatment and reha- bilitation in the community. d. Cultivate and enhance one’s capacity to become productive and self-worthy. The Local Government Unit (LGU) Technical Education and Skills Develop- ment Authority in coordination with the baran- gay officials a. Seminars on how to create a small business that will help them gain income on their own b. An offering of vocational courses of their interest like welding, rug making, automotive and other courses offered by TESDA c. Providing small capital to drug surrenderees to be used in run- ning a small business in order to provide for their family through cooperatives. d. Requiring them to participate in the programs offered to the drug surrenderees LGUs TESDA NGO’s Cooperatives Educational Support a. Provide an opportunity to the drug surrenderees to continue their schooling b. Divert their attention to learning rather than the use of drugs. ALTER- NATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM(ALS) Technical Education and Skills Develop- ment Authority (TESDA) a. Requiring the drug surrenderees to enroll in ALS to finish their elementary and secondary education b. An offering of vocational courses to drug surrenderees DepEd TESDA LGU’s NGO’s Drug Awareness And Prevention Education a. Instill awareness regarding the ill-effects of drugs for the drug surrenderees b. Widen the knowledge and un- derstanding of drug surrenderees about illegal drugs. c. Educate the drug surrenderees to say no to illegal drugs. The barangay officials The Philippine National Police (PNP) The Philippine Drug Enforce- ment Agency (PDEA) a. Distribution of pamphlets and leaflets in the barangay tackling about the dangers of illegal drugs b. Conduct of drug awareness and prevention seminar in the barangay c. Drug education seminar especially to the children and the youth PNP, PDEA NGOs LGUs 52 JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research Areas of Re- habilitation for Drug Surrenderees Objectives Person Involved/ Agencies Concerned Strategies Sources of Fund Spiritual En- gagement a. Enhance the personal and spiritual well-being of the drug surrenderees. b. Teach the value of the teachings of GOD in relation to our life and as nourishment to the soul. c. Strengthen the presence of GOD in their daily lives. Religious organizations and ministry a. Participation in the recitation of prayers b. Conduct of Bible study by shar- ing the word of God to the drug surrenderee and citing important bible verses for reflections c. Religious gatherings at least once a week Faith-based organizations like Couples for Christ and Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) Knights of Columbus 7th day Adventist Catholic church Born Again NGO’s Engagement In Sports Activities a. Develop their physical well- being. Barangay of- ficials a. Basketball competition in the barangay b. Engagement of the drug surren- derees in daily exercises Solicitation letters from the government of- ficials chosen Clean-Up Drives And Pro- Environment Activities a. Support the campaign in nur- turing and caring for Mother Nature. b. Strengthen the Clean and Green projects. c. Provide food and income to the families of drug surrenderees. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) Barangay officials and other support agencies a. Conduct of clean-up drives in the barangay like cleaning canals b. Imposing waste segregation in their homes c. Planting of fruit-bearing trees and vegetables in their established gardens and planting area in the barangay ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The researcher would like to acknowledge the people behind this accomplishment. To the funding agency that made this research possible, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), my DHEI, Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, particularly to my adviser, HENEDINA A. LAGUMEN, Ph.D. and the panel of experts who contributed a lot in my research, and the beloved institution of the researcher, the Bicol College, particularly to the president, MARIA LUZ T. MACASINAG, DBA for inspiring me to finish this publication. I express my sincerest gratitude to all of you. LITERATURE CITED Albay Provincial Police Office. (2017). Police report update on the war on drugs. Albay: Albay Provincial Police Office. 53 International Peer Reviewed Journal Alexandris Polomarkakis, K. (2017). Drug law enforcement revisited: The “war” against the war on drugs. Journal of Drug Issues, 47(3), 396-404. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042617697017 Al-Omari, H., Hamed, R. & Abu Tariah, H. (2015). The role of religion in the recovery from alcohol and substance abuse among Jordanian adults. Journal on Religion and Health, 54, 1268-1277. Retrieved from DOI 10.1007/ s10943-014-9868-5 Bennett, W. L. 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