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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15631/ubmrj.v10i1.163
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Lived Experiences of Interventionists on the
Drug Rehabilitation Program
Jackilou E. Campeceño
jackilou720@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3431-1880
Merlita D. Gamba
Gambam719@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8041-7129
Adrian A. Josol
andrianjosol124@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5300-7623
Donna May Olaer
olaerdonnamay@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6603-5340
Marianie A. Pagaran
mmarianieapagaran@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4318-5856
Rogelio S. Renoblas Jr.
rogeliorenoblas889@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9932-6453
Ana Mae O. Seroje
anamaeanamaeoseroj@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5237-8845
Marven B. Jumawid
mbjumawid@universityofbohol.edu.ph
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8725-6970
Shirley O. Molina
somolina@universityofbohol.edu.ph
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6346-0053
ABSTRACT
In response to an overwhelming demand for drug abuse treatment services, the
Matrix Intensive Outpatient Program (MIOP) was implemented in the Philippines. This
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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study explores the lived experiences of interventionists in drug rehabilitation programs in
Tagbilaran City. The researchers conducted a criminological research approach,
specifically a qualitative design, in which the researchers used a Key Informant Interview
(KII) with the help of an interview guide, field notes, and a voice recorder to collect data.
The researchers used Colaizzi's approach to analyze the transcript material from the
informant's comments during the interview. Responses were transcribed in a line format
to code the significant statement, and linked statements were given defined meanings.
After core meanings were given, they were filtered to produce cluster themes, and
grouped again to formulate emergent themes as follows: Inter alia, inter alios (Among
other things or between other persons.), Docendo discimus (By teaching, we learn.), In
absentia lucis, Tenebrae vincunt (In the absence of light, darkness prevails.), Respice
finem (Consider the end.), Sapere aude (Dare to know.), Acta non verba (Deeds, not
words), and Ad Meliora (Towards better things.) as the study's outcomes. This research
shared the lived experiences of drug interventionists which would serve as a guide in
developing sustainable programs concerned with rehabilitating drug surrenders.
Keywords: Lived Experiences, Drug Interventionist and Drug Rehabilitation
Programs, City of Tagbilaran, Qualitative Method, Philippines
INTRODUCTION
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people are increasingly using
multiple substances, either at the same time or at different times, which is likely to
increase the risks. Primary care workers are uniquely positioned to identify and intervene
with patients whose substance use is hazardous or harmful to their health and well-being.
Health promotion and prevention are essential parts of primary care workers who engage
in many preventive activities. Drug surrenderers can be monitored through the mhGAP
Intervention Guide developed as a tool for healthcare workers. It includes WHO and
Universal Projects and Tools (UPT) recommendations on neurological, mental, and
substance use problems in non-specialized health.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2016 stated that
evidence suggests that interventions can work for cannabis, benzodiazepines,
amphetamines, opiates, and cocaine. Community-based drug recovery support involves
providing holistic care in preventive education, health promotion, screening, treatment
and rehabilitation services, primary health services, essential support, education, skills
training, and livelihood opportunities in communities.
In the Philippines, Oplan Double Barrel is the PNP's flagship project in the
government's war against drugs. It consists of Oplan High-Value Target and Oplan
TokHang, which aims for the surrender of small-time drug dealers. Nearly half of drug
abuse cases in the country start from 15 to 19 years old. In this connection, all
surrenderers are monitored and must undergo corresponding intervention programs.
In Bohol, confessed drug users and pushers pledged to end their illegal drug
activities as soon as the Oplan Tokhang was implemented on July 1, 2016. This research
was conducted in the city of Tagbilaran for the drug interventionists during the drug
rehabilitation program of the Oplan Tokhang under the Matrix Intensive Outpatient
Program (MIOP). The researchers' goal in undertaking this study is to find strategies and
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recommend possible solutions to improve the drug rehabilitation program through the
lived experiences of the interventionists in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
This study is anchored on the Social Control Theory by Travis Hirschi and its sub-
theories, the Differential Association Theory of Sutherland, the Social Learning Theory of
Akers, the Labeling Theory of Howard S. Becker, and General Strain Theory by Agnew.
Hirschi's (1969) social control theory proposes that delinquents fail to form or
maintain a bond with a society consisting of attachment, commitment, involvement, and
belief. Using data from the Youth in Transition Study, the report develops and tests
multivariate models of social control theory which simultaneously consider how the four
bond elements operate in delinquency. Factor analysis and commonality analysis
examine the uniqueness of the four bond elements as mentioned: attachment,
commitment, involvement, and belief, which revised and additional measures are
suggested. The most important of the four constructs was involvement. An individual
actively engaging in conventional endeavors has less time to engage in deviant activities
such as drug abuse. Background factors-measures of social class and ability-are added
to the model, and a revised formulation of social control is suggested. This theory is
anchored on the study because the drug surrenders' attachment, commitment,
involvement, and belief of the intervention programs would lead them to the right path.
Attachment refers to the strength of a person's ties and relationships with their social
environment. Devotion to one's circle of friends can also help prevent deviance, but only
if the circle's process does not embody deviant norms. The level of dedication spent on
traditional standards and goals is referred to as commitment. Hirschi argues that
someone who has previously invested resources, time, and energy in reaching compliant
goals stands to lose more from anomalous activity than someone who has put less effort
into achieving socially acceptable goals. By Involvement, it means that someone
intensively involved in conventional activities has less time and opportunity to engage in
deviant behavior. Belief is the fourth factor in social bonding. This relates to the concept
and validity of mainstream society's ideals and conventions. It gets more challenging to
transgress these values and conventions as they become more internalized.
Individuals learn the ideals, attitudes, tactics, and motives for criminal behavior
through interaction with others, according to Sutherland's Differential Association Theory
(1950). The people with whom the actor is most likely to interact and their relevance are
referred to as differential affiliation. These people increase or decrease the likelihood of
the actor's drug use through their actions and attitudes. Differential association is also
significant because it defines the primary context in which the actor may observe others
engaging in drug-using behaviors imitation, encounter a stimulus that increases the
probability of the response in the future for continued drug use, differential reinforcement,
and acquire definitions or attitudes favorable to drug use. This theory is connected to the
study that if an interventionist would lead and be of influence by conducting intervention
programs, it will set an example for drug surrenderers for their development. Society is a
jumble of disparate groupings in various horizontal and vertical configurations. Individuals
are subject to varied influences since they are at different places in their interactions. It
could be based on their personality and size. The groups can be highly diverse; they could
be delinquent lesser family groups or global groups that include society and its models.
The group shapes the character it lives in, and it accepts the rules that govern it
(Mladenovic, 1997).
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In his Labeling theory, Mead and Becker (1960) claims that the labels used to
describe or classify people can impact or decide their behavior and self-identity. It is
linked, associated, or mixed with people's expectations of others and stereotyping.
According to the labeling hypothesis, deviancy is not appropriated in an act but rather by
the majority predisposition to negatively label minorities or those considered deviant from
societal standards. This theory would relate to the lived experiences of interventionists in
the drug rehabilitation program. If drug surrenderers participate in the organized
intervention programs prepared by their respective barangays, people surrounding them
will change their perspectives on them. Members of the community will not label them
negatively but rather optimistically. Labeling theory stresses the role of agents of social
control charged with enforcing social rules. They include the police, the court system,
psychiatrists, teachers, and parents. It is the agents of control who invoke the labeling
process. They are responsible for selecting from among several rule-breakers those who
will play deviant roles. This process is often carried out under the rubric of treatment and
rehabilitation.
According to Robert Agnew (1992), General Strain Theory states that a range of
strains or stressors increases the likelihood of crime. These strains make people feel bad
and may cope with crime. These factors, in turn, are influenced by various variables,
including coping skills and resources, conventional social supports, social control,
association with delinquent peers, and exposure to situations conducive to crime. Agnew
argued that self-efficacious individuals with extensive social support networks and
positive self-concepts are less likely to resort to crime or substance use in response to
exposure to strains. The General Strain Theory is connected to the study because when
interventionists appropriately guide drug surrenderers, this will hinder them from returning
to their old habits. This guidance will eventually become their strength and prevent them
from engaging in prohibited drug use. In addition, the inclination of one's peers toward
deviance can affect whether an individual is likely to turn to deviance in response to strain.
Thus, explaining deviance involves the level of exposure to stresses, the extent and type
of coping mechanisms available to the individual, and the individual's peer associations.
Social support is essential because it facilitates significant kinds of coping.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recognized four
local government units in Bohol, namely: Balilihan, Calape, Candijay, and Garcia
Hernandez, as outstanding LGUs countrywide for their efforts to combat illegal drug
trafficking in their communities. The administration of Rodrigo Duterte has made drug
eradication a priority. According to the President, there are over 4 million drug users in
the country. To convince drug users, pushers, and those involved to surrender and halt
their illicit operations, the police adopted the "tok tok-hangyo" or "knock and appeal"
strategy. The reaction was astounding, with 1,176,523 pushers and users willingly
reporting themselves to authorities across the country. Three hundred ninety-six people
have surrendered in Tanauan, Leyte, and the number is growing. Local governments are
left to design their initiatives to serve their residents because there is no national model
for dealing with this problem. The Transformational Rehabilitation Plan Community-
Based Approach to Drug Prevention and Moral Recovery Program, a three-phase
modular approach, was implemented to assist participants in understanding the process
of healing and recovery from their previous lifestyles and embracing a new life for the
future.
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All barangays in every local government are required under DILG Memorandum
Circular 2015-63 and 2017-03 to form a Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC),
which will help law enforcement agencies in the eradication and clearance of illegal
substances. The BADAC of Cabagan, Isabela was studied. The following were the
variables. First, the extent to which the BADAC was implemented in each of the three
phases of the anti-drug clearance operations. Second, the effectiveness of the council.
Third, BADAC's difficulties with drug clearing procedures have been identified. A total of
643 people participated in the survey, with 196 BADAC members and 447 community
members. The data were analyzed and interpreted using a descriptive design after
validating them. The BADAC is well applied in all three phases of drug clearing
operations, according to the findings. Furthermore, problems are "rarely" encountered by
the BADAC, with considerable differences in the challenges faced by BADAC when
grouped by barangay. As a result, the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council was
implemented immediately in the three phases of drug clearance operations in various
barangays.
Furthermore, the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council encountered few challenges
in carrying out BADAC duties. Finally, the barangay anti-drug abuse councils are
functional in structure, recognition, BADAC action plan, development of BADAC Auxiliary
Team, and orientation to functions and responsibilities, but not in all indications. As a
result, it's safe to assume that all barangay councils are appropriately organized and have
fulfilled the committee's requirements.
The study of Hechanova, Aliana, Calleja, Melgar, Acosta, Villasanta, and Cue
(2018) describes the development of community-based drug intervention for low- to mild-
risk drug users who surrendered as part of the Philippine government's anti-drug
campaign. It emphasizes the significance of designing evidence-based drug recovery
therapies that are culturally and economically relevant to Asian cultures. The need for an
intervention to improve users' drug recovery and life skills was revealed through
interviews and consultations with users and community stakeholders. The resulting
intervention reflected the country's collectivist culture, relational values, propensity for
indirect and non-verbal communication, and interdependent self-construal. Small groups,
participatory and creative approaches, and the usage of music and prayer have all been
recognized in Philippine culture.
As stated by Alvarado (2020), the wellness program for drug surrenderers is the
first step of the Community Based Rehabilitation Program of the national government - a
jump start to the rehabilitation of the surrenderers. According to the findings, the
respondents' levels of preparedness and acceptance are "High," while their degree of
commitment is "Moderate," according to the results. The respondents' overall perception
of the wellness program's efficacy is "Moderate." In all parts of their demographic profile,
there were disparities in the respondents' perceptions of the wellness program's success.
The perceived efficacy of the wellness program has a considerable impact on
respondents' readiness for rehabilitation. Furthermore, readiness is the most accurate
indicator of efficiency. The acceptance and commitment dimensions are not connected
and are not determinants of wellness program efficacy.
According to Bunagan, Tabo, Bautista, Melgar, & Hechanova (2019), families
dealing with drug use frequently have complicated dynamics, according to studies on drug
use and family issues, and the interaction between drug and family dynamics appears to
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be bidirectional. Among various influences, the family plays a significant role in using and
recovering a drug person. Even though family variables are linked to drug use, the family
also contributes significantly to recovery capital. The importance of family in addiction
rehabilitation and intervention cannot be overstated. Family support is critical to drug
rehabilitation, to the point where persons who do not have it are at a disadvantage in
informal drug treatment. Among drug surrenderers, the family can also be a source of
recovery capital. According to studies, individuals have healthier coping methods in the
face of problems when their family relationships are more encouraging and helpful. As a
result, utilizing the family's resources improves the efficiency of a drug rehabilitation
program.
This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of interventionists on the drug
rehabilitation program in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:
1. What were the personal circumstances of the interventionists?
2. What were the positive and negative experiences of the interventionists on the
drug rehabilitation program?
3. What were the significant changes to drug surrenderers?
4. What were the significant changes to the lives of interventionists?
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The researchers employed a qualitative method of research utilizing
phenomenological approach in this study, using Key Informant Interview (KII) with the aid
of an interview guide, field notes, and voice recorder in gathering data. These served as
the central gathering tools to attain sufficient data needed for this study. Present a
masterly, de-mystifying, yet penetrating, account of Husserlian phenomenology, avoiding
overly technical discussion, while essentially offering a digested version of the Husserl of
the Logical Investigation and Ideas. In other words; phenomenology understood as a
quasi-Aristotelian, direct realist, and descriptive science of the manner in which things are
manifesting (Moran, 2001).
The locale of this study was in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. It is the provincial capital
consisting of fifteen barangays with a total population of 105,051 for the year 2015
census. It is reported that this city has one of the most number of surrenderers during the
Oplan Tokhang and the Matrix Intensive Outpatient Program (MIOP). The city
encompasses a land area of 32.7 km2 (12.6 sq. mi), with a coastline of 13 km (8.1 mi) on
the southwestern part of the island; the city shares its boundaries with the towns of Cortes,
Corella, and Baclayon.
The informants of the study were the interventionists handling the drug
rehabilitation programs. Their respective Barangay Chairman appoints them to monitor,
guide, and conduct intervention programs to facilitate the Matrix Intensive Outpatient
Program (MIOP), selection of informants was based on convenience sampling. There
were only twelve (12) informants from the seven (7) barangays in Tagbilaran City. The
seven (7) barangays were chosen based on the Tagbilaran City Police Station data on
the number of drug surrenderees from 2016 to the present. The barangays having the
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highest number of drugs surrenderers are Booy, San Isidro, Ubujan, Cogon, Poblacion
III, Manga, and Mansasa. Thus, there were two (2) informants per barangay interviewed
from barangay Booy, Cogon, Manga, Poblacion III, and San Isidro. There was one (1)
informant from barangay Mansasa and another one (1) informant from barangay Ubujan.
The researchers had twelve (12) informants for the study. Only interventionists having at
least one year of experience and were currently active will be included in the study.
The researchers utilized an interview guide validated by the research adviser and
external experts. The interview guide consists of open-ended questions that dealt with
the following aspects: personal circumstances of the informants; the positive and negative
experiences of the informants as interventionists for the drug rehabilitation program; the
significant changes to drug surrenders, and the significant changes to the lives of
interventionists. The interview was conducted and supplemented with field notes and a
voice recorder to document the informants' responses accurately.
The researchers of this study sent a transmittal letter to the Vice President for
Academics of the University of Bohol and the Dean of the College of Criminal Justice to
ask for their permission to conduct the study. Upon the approval of the transmittal letter,
the study's researchers then asked permission from the Tagbilaran City Police Station
Chief of Police, Barangay Chairman, to interview the person in charge regarding the
intervention program drugs surrenderers. Informants were individually interviewed by the
researchers regarding their experiences in handling and facilitating intervention programs
for the surrenderers. The selection of the informants was based on the barangays in
Tagbilaran City, Bohol having more surrenderers who participated in the intervention
programs. To ensure that ethical considerations were appropriately addressed, the
study's researchers submitted their research paper and interview guide to the University
of Bohol Research Ethics Committee (UB-REC). This ensures that the information
gathered, and the respondents involved in the study are to be treated with the utmost
confidentiality. The study's researchers observed proper courtesy and respect in dealing
with the involved offices and informants by providing all the necessary documents as their
references.
Upon the conduct of the study, in consideration of the Covid-19 pandemic situation,
researchers conducted interviews virtually using Google meet as the online platform and
phone call. Through these, the researchers were able to assure that safety protocols
were being followed in gathering the information needed for the research.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The researchers transcribed and translated the responses, and the significant
statements were extracted. The researchers formulated core meanings out of the
significant statement and classified them into cluster themes from where the researchers
created the emergent themes.
Experiences of the interventionists. After conducting rehabilitation program,
they encountered different experiences as they facilitated the drug surrenderers on their
journey for reformation by following the Matrix Intensive Outpatient Program (MIOP) given
by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abused Counsel (BADAC) and another sector the Center for
Drug Education and Counseling (CEDEC). Three emergent themes were formulated
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related to their experiences in handling drug surrenderers until they went on their journey
to transformation.
Inter alia, inter alios (Among other things or between other persons). This
theme was created to describe the experiences of the interventionists after they handled
drug rehabilitation program. As the interventionists conducted drug rehabilitation program
they created good connection, strong bonds and trust towards each other and guided
drug surrenderers throughout their journey to reformation. Interventionists experienced
different behaviors from the drug surrenderers as they were being monitored for their
rehabilitation.
When the researchers inquired from participant 5 about his experiences after
handling, rehabilitation program for drug surrenderers he said thus:
“Well, positive experiences, we're jamming with drug dependent
surrenderees. They also listen to what I say or tackle about the program
or we're having a heart to heart talk.”
(P5:SS1, Male, 50 years old)
Participant 11 also stated that the Barangay community represented by their
barangay captain, officials and concerned personnel of CEDEC were the ones who
guided them all in all activities for them to participate for their reformation. He said:
“Okay, so the positive side, it is nice to undergo, I mean to handle this
rehabilitation program for we can see our drug surrenderees every
sunday since we must see each other every sunday, we can feel them
why they enter those things, the starting, their reason, then we can also
feel them the way how to help them, to guide them away from their vice
l, possibly to end their use of illegal drugs. The positive side, it is really
nice to feel when you can help them, to help themselves also to change
to forget their vice.”
(P11:SS1, Female, 50 years old)
Employment is an important predictor of sustainable recovery for people with drug-
use problems, a high priority among those in recovery, and an important goal for welfare
policies. However, previous explorations of the process of gaining employment have been
inadequate. The purpose of this study was to explore how people in recovery from lives
dominated by drug use engage in securing paid employment, and how they make sense
of this process. In-depth interviews were performed on three different occasions over
2.5 years with people experiencing the demanding process of gaining employment. We
analyzed their stories employing a narrative approach and located them in a social
structural context drawing on human-capital framework. Our findings show how our
participants drew on socially circulating stories of the 'useless addict', 'normality', and the
'employable citizen', which intersect with human-capital logic embedded in public
activation programs. The knowledge obtained from this study demonstrates how socially
circulating stories and human-capital logic contribute to the perception that people have
about their readiness for work and how they can become employable. Further, it
illuminates how recovery discourses mirror neoliberal values constituting the contextual
setting in which the job hunt takes place.
Bandura's social learning theory emphasizes the value of seeing and modeling
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other people's behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions. If humans had to just rely
on the effects of their actions to instruct them on what to do, learning would be incredibly
difficult, not to mention deadly, according to Bandura (1977). Fortunately, most human
behavior is acquired by observation and modeling: one gets a notion of how new activities
are conducted by witnessing others, and this coded information acts as a guide for action
on subsequent occasions.” Human behavior is explained by social learning theory as a
continual reciprocal interaction of cognitive, behavioral, and environmental forces.
Attention, which includes modeled events distinctiveness, affective valence, complexity,
prevalence, functional value and observer characteristics sensory capacities, arousal
level, perceptual set, past reinforcement, retention, which includes symbolic coding,
cognitive organization, symbolic rehearsal, and motor rehearsal, and Motor
Reproduction, which includes physical capabilities and self-observation of reproduction.
In absentia lucis, Tenebrae vincunt (In the absence of light, darkness
prevails). This theme depicts the negative experiences of interventionists handling drug
surenderers reformation. Various factors affect illegal drug uses that includes curiosity,
friends and family pressure.
Participant 5 responded to the inquiring about factors affecting illegal drug use. He
said:
“(Not all of them have bad personality, they just get into vice because
they are influenced by friends, family pressure, or just want to try.”
(P5:SS10, Male, 24 years old)
Participant 3 has eagerness to answer when we asked question regarding his
negative experiences as an interventionist:
“Then, among the youths that I handled as drug dependent persons,
there were also positive, but they also admitted that they were able to
use them because there was a birthday party and one of the
acquaintances brought that thing.”
(P3:SS4, Female, 63 years old)
Marc Hauser (2006) argues that humans have evolved a universal moral instinct,
unconsciously propelling us to deliver judgments of right and wrong independent of
gender, education, and religion. Experience tunes up our moral actions, guiding what we
do as opposed to how we deliver our moral verdicts. For hundreds of years, scholars
have argued that moral judgments arise from rational and voluntary deliberations about
what ought to be. The common belief today is that we reach moral decisions by
consciously reasoning from principled explanations of what society determines is right or
wrong. This perspective has generated the further belief that our moral psychology is
founded entirely on experience and education, developing slowly and subject to
considerable variation across cultures. In his book, Hauser shows that this dominant view
is illusory. Combining his own research with findings in cognitive psychology, linguistics,
neuroscience, evolutionary biology, economics, and anthropology, he examines the
implications of his theory for issues of bioethics, religion, law, and our everyday lives.
According to the rational choice theory, a person carefully considers each action
before choosing if it is worthwhile to take the chance of committing a crime to benefit from
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it—whether the reward is financial, pleasurable, or for some other reason.
Respice finem (Consider the end). This theme presents that Matrix Intensive
Outpatient Program (MIOP) is the way to make the life of drug surenderers changed
where they observed depletion of cases and have the willingness to clean up their names
as drug surrenderers in the list. However, government tolerate the bad habits of the drug
surenderers.
Participant 10 of the individual interview narrated that due to pandemic crisis the
drug cases was lessen and he said:
“So, because of the Oplan Tokhang we did, they were encouraged to
attend the MIOP for the reason that they want to delete their names in
the list. Our surrenderers, drug user or person who use drugs are in-list
in the PNP with the same list in PDEA, CEDEC and the barangay. Now,
their names will not be deleted if they don't graduate in MIOP, as we
explained to them so that they are necessary to attend the MIOP.”
(P10:SS2, Female, 66 years old)
When we asked participant 6 about his experiences where he felt dismayed, he
expressed sadly his experience:
“It’s useless because those PWUDs we talked to and entered MIOP,
instead of becoming normal, because of the hindrances in society and
the problems that exist, if someone approached him to come back he
will definitely come back especially if the one who will approach him is
a high government official.”
(P6:SS10, Female, 46 years old)
Reframing alone isn't enough, of course. That's where Dr. Ornish's other
astonishing insight comes in. Paradoxically, he found that radical, sweeping,
comprehensive changes are often easier for people than small, incremental ones.
Rational Choice Theory holds that people decide to commit a crime by evaluating
their options, calculating the potential rewards against the potential costs, and then
selecting whether to move forward or not.
There are three themes that describe the different impact of rehabilitation program
to drug surrenderers.
Acta non verba (Deeds, not words). This theme describes how the drug
rehabilitation were able to make positive changes in the personal lives of drug
surrenderers.
Participant 2 stated that how he noticed the change in the physical appearance of
the drug surrenderers. It was mentioned that they look better than they ever were.
“To see their physical aspect improved became handsome. Before they
look haggard. And not a problem in their work field.”
(P2:SS4, Male, 54 years old)
Participant 3 mentioned that the drug surrenderers gained weight. This signifies
that they have become healthier and have stopped the use of illegal drugs.
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“With their physical fitness, they already gain weight, they look
healthier than before. They’re like attending in school so of course
they’ll change, and take a bath then their appearances would looks
good.”
(P3:SS7, Female, 63 years old)
How do individuals achieve "good outcomes" in one-shot strategic situations? One
much-explored possibility is that they engage in prepay communication – cheap talk – in
which they endeavor to convince one another of the actions they intend to play. However,
there may be no incentive for such communication to be truthful, or even informative.
Another, less explored, possibility is that individuals take account of their knowledge of
the past behavior of others when deciding which actions to play. While these two
possibilities have been considered separately, there has been no research that compares
the relative importance of these two devices as aids in solving coordination problems. We
design and run an experiment with human subjects that allows for a comparison of the
roles played by cheap talk and observation of past actions as devices for achieving good
outcomes.
The molding of behaviors directed toward other people was referred to as
socialization, and the principles of learning explain social behaviors. Instead of overt, trial-
and-error action, social learning theory stresses observational learning, acquiring new
skills or information, or changing old behaviors by watching others. Although
reinforcement plays a part in observational learning, social learning theory claims it is not
the only route for novel, complex actions to emerge.
Docendo discimus (By teaching, we learn). This theme describes how drug
rehabilitation program improved the lives of drug surenderers and the possible solutions
on strengthening the program.
When we inquired from the participants on the impact of MIOP to drug dependents,
participant 5 stated, thus:
“So, for the drug dependents who have undergone MIOP, we have
seen that they have changed from unemployed, then undergo a MIOP,
they have now changed, looking for job, have chances to work.”
(P5:SS5, Male, 24 years old)
Participant 11 was sincere when he described how happy he was when he knows
that there are positive changes especially in anger management of drug surrenderers. He
described his experience as follows:
“Our surrenderers, we have testemonies about their changes to their
past, so there are a lot who can't control their anger during the addiction
period but at the end of our rehabilitation program they were able to
control, and they learn.”
(P11:SS5, Female, 50 years old)
The present research paper clarifies the importance of education with a holistic
approach. With the advancement of science and technology the human civilization so far
has travelled a long way with so many success stories of development in its hand. Be it
personal, social, political, economic or cultural development, the role of education can't
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be underestimated. Today we have education on every aspect of life which paves the
way for the holistic development of the individual, society and the nation. Education is of
course, a boon for the human life. But it is equally true that the education should not only
be learning concept. Fundamentally, it should be ensuring values imparted to all students
and of course, value-based education is very important if we want to have good citizens.
So, in our entire curriculum, it should be ensured that value-based education is
incorporated in an interesting way so that the children and students learn it at every step
of their schooling. Value based education plays a pivotal role in the holistic development
of students as the results of several such experiments have shown.
According to Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory (1950), Individuals learn
the ideals, attitudes, tactics, and motives for criminal behavior through interaction with
others. The people with whom the actor is most likely to interact and their relevance are
referred to as differential affiliation. These people increase or decrease the likelihood of
the actor’s drug use through their actions and attitudes. If an interventionist would lead
and be of influence by conducting intervention programs, it will set a model of example
for drug surrenders and will be helpful for their development.
Sapere aude (Dare to know). This theme presents the importance of Matrix
Intensive Outpatient Program (MIOP) and the significance of participation of the drug
surrenders. The participants were in consensus that their lives were improved into
positive.
Participant 5 shared that because of the program, work opportunities and chances
open to drug surrenderers, as he said thus:
“Well, the drug surrenderers have changed, they are trying to find jobs,
they are given second chances, actually some give third chances
because they did undergo MIOP then quit, we went to them, we sent
them back to finish, then now there are other drug dependents who are
boarded a ship and had become seaman.”
(P5:SS8, Male, 24 years old)
As we inquired from the participant 7, he also said that:
“Maybe they are tempted to use drugs, after they attend MIOP class or
a program from the government they are now careful because of
random-drug test, maybe they are fear of it.”
(P7:SS7, Male, 50 years old)
In the absence of effective formal means for controlling crime in the Western world,
community crime prevention has emerged as a major alternative and supplement to the
criminal justice system. This article attempts to review what is known currently about the
nature, extent, and effectiveness of community-based efforts to prevent residential crime.
Included in this assessment are citizen actions to protect themselves, their property, and
their neighborhood, as well as efforts to prevent crime through changes in the physical
environmental and through innovations in community policing. Although community-
based efforts are supported widely by theory, studies of natural co-variation, and by
numerous poorly designed evaluations, there is a paucity of strong demonstrations and
evaluations showing that such interventions can alter the behavior and local environments
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of persons who are not already predisposed to crime prevention. Substantially more
research is needed to determine the collective benefits of community crime prevention
strategies, but a number of promising approaches currently are being developed.
The most popular choice-based theory, deterrence theory, is based on the premise
that people commit crimes when the advantages of doing so outweigh the potential costs
of doing so. One crucial component of deterrence theory is the standard of formal
sanctions. The goal of deterrence theory is to improve the possibility that crimes will be
detected and to make criminal behavior more severely punished. It places a strong
emphasis on the theoretical underpinnings of various policies and initiatives. Deterrence
can be either widespread or specialized. The goal of broad deterrence is to reduce crime
by making people aware of crimes and their associated penalties.
Significant Changes to Interventionists. There is only one theme that describe
the different approaches on motivating drug surrenders in participation of drug
rehabilitation program.
Ad Meliora (Towards better things). This theme represents the positive actions
done by the interventionist towards the drug surrenderers for them to have a better life
specifically, encouragement and motivation.
Participant 7 shared the ways on how they handled drug surrenderers according
to their capacity in participating the intervention programs, as he stated with a cooperative
and clear voice:
“You don’t need to drag them down, human as we are you need to tap
with them because it’s not easy for them to go back.”
(P7:SS3, Male, 50 years old)
Participant 11 narrated his experiences regarding on how they encouraged the
drug surrenderers to finish the rehabilitation program. He said:
“Through our intervention we help them, we let them pass our
rehabilitation program, we encourage them to finish until graduation, so
we did really help them after graduation for they see new opportunities,
opportunities were open for them, they are accepted wherever they
want to work, in that way they were given clear income for their
families.”
(P11:SS7, Female, 50 years old)
Motivation for drug use treatment is widely regarded as crucial to a client's
engagement in treatment and success in quitting drug use. Motivation is typically
measured with items reflecting high treatment readiness (e.g., perceived need for
treatment and commitment to participate) and low treatment resistance (e.g., skepticism
regarding benefits of treatment). This study suggest that readiness and resistance should
both be assessed among clients entering treatment, especially when the referral is
coercive. Intake and counseling protocols should address readiness and resistance
separately.
According to social control theory, anyone may devise and carry out any type of
illegal activity on-the-spot without any specific incentive or training. People are also said
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to be capable of seeing the benefits of crime. Social control theory proposes that people's
relationships, commitments, values, norms, and beliefs encourage them not to break the
law. It assumes that the impulse to commit a crime is resisted because of the costs
associated with such behavior. It assumes further that a primary cost of crime is the
disapproval of the people about whom the potential offender cares.
From the gathered data, through the recorded response of the twelve (12)
informants, eight (8) substantial emergent themes were created. These eight themes
formulated are as follows: Inter alia, inter alios (Among other things or between other
persons.), Docendo discimus (By teaching, we learn), In absentia lucis, Tenebrae vincunt
(In the absence of light, darkness prevails), Respice finem (Consider the end., Sapere
aude (Dare to know), Acta non verba (Deeds, not words), and Ad Meliora (Towards better
things).
For the experiences of the informants as interventionists, themes created were,
Inter alia, inter alios (Among other things or between other persons), In absentia lucis,
Tenebrae vincunt (In the absence of light, darkness prevails), and Respice finem
(Consider the end).
For the significant changes to the drug surrenderers, themes created were, Acta
non verba (Deeds, not words), Docendo discimus (By teaching, we learn), Sapere aude
(Dare to know).
For the significant changes to the interventionists, there was one theme created,
which is, Ad Meliora (Towards better thing).
CONCLUSION
Through the findings of the study, the researcher concluded that the experiences
of the drug interventionist during the conduct of the Matrix Intensive Outpatient Program
(MIOP) for the rehabilitation and treatment of the drug surrenders during “Oplan
Tokhang”. It is very significant the role of interventionist or other person in rehabilitating
the drug dependent as they will be the bridge in creating good connection, strong bonds,
trust towards each other and the interventionist also will guide and monitor the response
of the drug dependent on its journey on the rehabilitation program. By the guidance of the
intervention program any lesson and teaching of the interventionist, drug dependent will
learn and realize that they are driving in the wrong track. In the absence of interventionist
it can cause the prevailing of darkness in character as there is no one or other people
who can help them to contest their dependency to the illegal drugs. With the
interventionist it can give the drug dependent a second chance to prove there selves that
they can do good deeds even in their flaws and also to see life towards a better things.
That is why we must also understand and give chance to others so that they can show
their good side by showing them mercy, building trust, developing strong bonds, lessen
to them and accept them in our community so that they feel belongingness in the society
and encourage them to help in shaping a safer place to leave.
RECOMMENDATION
1. For the Philippine National Police (PNP), as enforcers of the law and who are the
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frontliners of the first implementation arms of the Matrix Intensive Outpatient Program
(MIOP), it is suggested that there is a need to improve and refine the process in
connecting and communicating with interventionists. The PNP should strengthen their
advocacy on protecting society against criminality and enhance policies for
intervention programs.
2. For the Local Government Unit, the researchers recommend to heighten awareness
of the Local Government Units (LGUs) regarding the intervention programs under the
Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC). In addition, more support should be
given financially through budget allocation in order to continue the rehabilitation
program for the interventionists and surrenderers.
3. For the interventionists, the study will serve as reference or guide in creating powerful
and sustainable programs concerned with the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers.
Additional activities such as skills training and livelihood programs must be provided
by the concerned office or agency on the rehabilitation and reformation for the
surrenderers that will lead them on the journey of transformation so that those
surrenderers will be given the opportunity to have their own job and generate an
income as they will be given an idea on how to manage business and other sources
of profit.
4. For the community, these realities will help better understand what intervention
programs means to drug surrenderers and to become aware of the steps in
implementing them.
5. The researchers recommend the following topics for future studies:
5.1. The Causes and Effects of Active Participation in the MIOP to know what factors
motivates the drug surrenderers to participate and encourage others to finish the
said program.
5.2. Lived Experiences of Drug Surrenderers Undergoing Rehabilitation Programs to
study about what challenges they have undergone and propose possible solutions
to solve problems.
5.3. Evaluation and Assessment of the Interventionists Handling Drug Rehabilitation
Programs, this study would deliberate both the positive and negative feedback
from the drug surrenderers first-hand.
5.4. The Impact of the Implementation of the MIOP, this study would reveal if there
were positive or negative impacts of the program and state how it should be
enhanced.
5.5. Level of Awareness and Acceptance of Drug Surrenderers Among Community
Members to study how the community can take part in the rehabilitation process
of the drug surrenderers.
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