The Development of a Community-Based Drug Intervention for Filipino Drug Users

Abstract

This article documents the development of a community-based drug intervention for low- to mild-risk drug users who surrendered as part of the Philippine government's anti-drug campaign. It highlights the importance of developing evidence-informed drug recovery interventions that are appropriate to the Asian culture and to developing economies. Interviews and consultations with users and community stakeholders reveal the need for an intervention that would improve the drug recovery skills and life skills of users. Evidence-based interventions were adapted using McKleroy and colleagues’ (2006) Map of Adaptation Process (MAP) framework. The resulting intervention reflected the country's collectivist culture, relational values, propensity for indirect and non-verbal communication, and interdependent self-construal. The use of small groups, interactive and creative methodologies, and the incorporation of music and prayer also recognised the importance of these in the Philippine culture.

A Narrative Analysis of the Experiences of Barangay Officials Involved in Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation

“…In the Philippines, drug treatment has traditionally been through inpatient rehabilitation centers; thus community-based drug interventions are quite new (Hechanova et al, 2018). The Dangerous Drug Board adopted the UNODC guidelines for CBDR viewing drug dependence as a health issue with treatment in the community as an alternative to incarceration.…”

“…Given the interdependent nature of Filipinos, the modules required homework that engaged the drug users' families and family sessions. Cognizant of the importance of cultural norms of pakikisama (cooperation) and kapwa (unity of the self with others; Enriquez, 1992), and the importance of maintaining good relations (Lynch, 1962), designers included modules on assertive communication, drug refusal skills, and rebuilding relationships (Hechanova et al, 2018). Based on evidence that family and community members are a critical source of identity and support, the module on problem solving included mapping of possible sources of support.…”

“…Based on evidence that family and community members are a critical source of identity and support, the module on problem solving included mapping of possible sources of support. Given the value of hiya (shame), loss of face, and the stigmatization of illicit drug use, a module was included to build participants' selfesteem and self-efficacy (Hechanova et al, 2018).…”

“…The aforementioned intervention was designed to be delivered by trained community workers and volunteers (Hechanova et al, 2018). Beyond this, however, there have been a dearth of studies on the actual implementation of CBDR and the community members delivering CBDR.…”

Evaluation of the Training and Pilot Implementation of Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad

“…Unfortunately, drug treatment in the Philippines has typically been conducted in inpatient rehabilitation centers or through the criminal justice system, and the country does not have a robust tradition of communitybased drug recovery (CBDR). In response to this, the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) created the Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad or KKDK (Resilience Against Drugs in the Community), an evidence-informed and culturally-adapted treatment program for mild-risk drug users (Hechanova, Alianan, et al, 2018). This paper evaluates the training of community facilitators and the pilot implementation of KKDK.…”