On the Road to Recovery of Voluntary Submission for Reformation Persons PDF

**ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY OF THE VOLUNTARY SUBMISSION FOR REFORMATION PERSONS: SOME STORIES TO TELL** **GLADYS FLORANGEL I. ORTIZ, MSDA, RSW** **Student** **DSSD 604** **CROSS-SECTORAL PRACTICE & RESEARCH IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT** \(082) 09997267046 & 09051623801 **Chapter I** **INTRODUCTION**...

**ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY OF THE VOLUNTARY SUBMISSION FOR REFORMATION PERSONS: SOME STORIES TO TELL** **GLADYS FLORANGEL I. ORTIZ, MSDA, RSW** **Student** **DSSD 604** **CROSS-SECTORAL PRACTICE & RESEARCH IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT** \(082) 09997267046 & 09051623801 **Chapter I** **INTRODUCTION** **Rationale** The World Health Organization (WHO) defines substance abuse as persistent or sporadic drug use inconsistent with or unrelated to acceptable medical practice. The World Drug Report 2019 estimated 271 million people, or 5.5% of the global population aged 15--64 years, had used drugs in the previous year, while 35 million people are estimated to be suffering from drug use disorders. United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that 2.3% of the world\'s population abuses illicit substances (UNODC, (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-pacific-rim-psychology/article/development-of-a-communitybased-drug-intervention-for-filipino-drug-users/751C6DDC4CA4E0255E2439B1AF3C09A0#ref046)\_) In the Philippines, there is a significant level of drug use and a robust drug trade. According to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) (the government agency mandated to formulate policies on illegal drugs in the Philippines), there are 1.8 million current drug users in the Philippines, and 4.8 million Filipinos report having used illegal drugs at least once in their lives Indeed, Drug Free World (n.d.) said that it is both a drug-consuming nation and a trans-shipment hub for methamphetamines, of which it boasts the highest usage rate in East Asia. Also, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said that 92% of barangays[ ](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-pacific-rim-psychology/article/development-of-a-communitybased-drug-intervention-for-filipino-drug-users/751C6DDC4CA4E0255E2439B1AF3C09A0#fn1)in the National Capital Region are affected by illicit drug use (PDEA, (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-pacific-rim-psychology/article/development-of-a-communitybased-drug-intervention-for-filipino-drug-users/751C6DDC4CA4E0255E2439B1AF3C09A0#ref036)), Substance abuse can lead to dire consequences. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 found that there were 585,000 deaths and 42 million years of "healthy" life lost as a result of the substance abuse Hence, drug abuse is one of the most emotionally charged policy concerns The past decades have seen increasing concern for drug abuse. Public health professionals psychologists, educators, and medical doctors express concern and attention to this problem. However, the drug problem in the Philippines has primarily been viewed as an issue of law enforcement and criminality, and the government has focused on implementing a policy of criminalization and punishment. Other sectors say that the drug issue should be viewed as a public health problem using a rights-based approach (RBA). In fact, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said during the 2015 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illegal Trafficking that we should increase the focus on public health, prevention, treatment and care, as well as on economic, social and cultural strategies (United nations Secretary General, 2015). Recently, the Duterte administration's nationwide implementation of Operation *Tokhang* ("knock and plead") led to the surrender of thousands of allegedly self-confessed drug users. *Tokhang* involves police officers visit suspects whose names have been drawn from lists  of drug suspects provided by *barangay* officials. These individuals are compelled to report to their nearby police station, confess their alleged crimes, and sign declarations pledging to mend their ways. As a result, several initiatives have been undertaken to help address the socio-economic needs of those who turned themselves in to *tokhang*[^1^](#fn1){#fnref1.footnote-ref}. Those who surrendered are being called "reformists" [Dizon, 2016](#_ENREF_2)(), "surrenders" [Philippine Star, 2017](#_ENREF_2)() and "former drug addicts" [Sallaverria, 2016](#_ENREF_7)(). In the University of Southeastern Philippines' Sagop Kinabuhi Program 2 , they are called voluntary submission for reformation persons (VSRPs). The main intention is to establish a conceptual and practical aversion from the stigma of banal branding of VSRPs being called "*bugoy*", "*ma-oy*", "*adik*", etc. The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) , through the Extension Division, has initiated a University-led Project called the Sagop Kinabuhi Program 2 (SKP2) in response to the mass surrender of drug users and pushers of the Oplan Tokhang campaign. SKP2 is designed to contribute to the multi-sectoral efforts at reconciling and reunifying the Voluntary Submission for Reformation Persons (VSRs) with their respective families and communities. To date, SKP2 has provided its beneficiaries with psychosocial seminars and trainings, spiritual coaching, and skills training. This initiative helps former drug users regain self-confidence as they prepare to be reintegrated into society. Some of the VSRPs have been reported to have recovered from drug dependence. However, the process of recovery is complex. One thing is clear, though: Bloom (2016) says that addiction can completely take over an individual's life and cause them to do things they would otherwise never consider. It also carries a strong stigma. Bloom (2016) elaborates: The general public think of someone with an addiction as an irresponsible criminal, rather than as a victim of a disease. They may be blocked from jobs, living situations, or social groups. Like many with a debilitating disease, these individuals often feel powerless. Their perspective and opinions are not valued, their reality is considered second class and their voices are persistently silenced (Bloom, 2016). Thus, an inquiry into the challenges of being a VSRP in Philippine society is considered an important step in understanding the VSRPs. No one knows the ins and outs of addiction recovery better than someone with an addiction. Neale et al ( 2015) says that service users have detailed knowledge and understanding of their own health status, psychosocial problems, personal resources, support needs and aspirations. However, there has been little, if at all, research done on what and how the reformists, surrenderees, VSRPs of Operation Tokhang cope with the challenges of their labels as such. Knowledge generated from a study of their lived experiences could go a long way in the improvement or enhancement of programs that address the needs of this group.. **Purpose of the study** The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand the challenges faced by the Voluntary Submission for Reformation Persons(VSRP) in the Sagop Kinabuhi Program 2 in the process of recovery. This will cover 3 VSRPs included in SKP2 in three barangays (Maa, Bago Gallera and Catalunan Pequeño) of Talomo district, Davao City..**Research Questions** Specifically, it will answer the following questions: 1. What are the experiences of the VSRPs and their families in their recovery from the VSRPs' previous condition? 2. How do the participants cope with the challenges of their experiences? 3. What can the participants share with the society in general?? **Theory Lens** The main frame upon which this study is anchored is the work of Martha Nussbaum in *Creating Capabilities: the Human Development Approach* (2011). Nussbaum argues that enriching human experience is a complex process that involves political and social support of the various sectors of the society to make sure that each person counts. She further argues that we need to support those who need it more. In this study, the VSRPs and their families are at the center of the analysis. The main purpose is to put up a platform to improve their participation in the decision-making process pertaining to their welfare and full human development. This will enable them to better prepare for reintegration in the mainstream. It is also based on the work of Amatya Sen (Development and Freedom, 1999). Both Sen and Nussbaum agree that capability is a basic human freedom to do and to be. This means that it is the duty of the state to provide just social minimum provision of support to individuals, especially to those who need it more so that development is balanced and ethical. Another theory is the cognitive behavioral theory with its basic assumption that most problematic behaviors, cognitions and emotions have been learned and can be modified by new learning. Ben came up with a view that people need to cast aside their self-defeating or negative thoughts and replace them with the positive ones. This process results to liberation of the mind from dependence on drugs and substances, leading to positive behavioral modification. Cognitive theory techniques enhance self-control which is vital for rehabilitees to remain sober. **Significance of the study** In light of the current administration's war on drugs, this study may be able to provide an alternative view on addressing the drug problem in Davao City. It can contribute to the discourse being put up by the SKP2, a multi-agency community-based drug rehabilitation program. SKP2 ensures that the experiences of program implementers, partners, VSRPs and their families can be processed into research that could help reshape our local and national policies. **Definition of terms** The following terms are defined operationally: **Lived experiences** refer to a representation and understanding of a researchsubject\'s human experiences, choices, and options and how those factors influence one\'s perception of knowledge. **Delimitations and Limitations** The study will be limited to the lived experiences of selected VSRPS (and their families) of the SKP2 program of the University of Southeastern Philippines and its partner agencies. It covers the perceptions of the VSRPs from 3 barangays, namely Maa, Bago Gallera and Catalunan Pequeño at the time of the study. Moreover, it will involve VSRPs who have completed both the 17-week psycho-spiritual training and the skills trainings offered by the Program. The study will not make knowledge claims that could be generalized to specified populations  **CHAPTER 2** **REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE** This portion contains literature related to the study **The use of drugs and its effects** The use of drugs has been around for a long time. Chemical drugs that generate temporary feelings of euphoria or pleasure, as well as the development of reliance on those substances by a subset of people, are as old as the human race (Herman and Roberto. 2015) Depending on culture and the nature of activities, people have used drugs for various purposes. When used beyond what is normal, its use could become addictive. The NIDA defines addiction as *a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. It is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental illness. Addiction is the most severe form of a full spectrum of substance use disorders, and is a medical illness caused by repeated misuse of a substance or substances*.  The National Institute for Drug Abuse (n.d.) describe the effects of using a drug: *Drugs excite the parts of the brain that make you feel good. But after you take a drug for a while, the feel-good parts of your brain get used to it. Then you need to take more of the drug to get the same good feeling. Soon, your brain and body must have the drug just to feel normal. You feel sick, awful, anxious, and irritable without the drug. You no longer have the good feelings that you had when you first used the drug* Moreover, people with a substance use disorder could have distorted thinking and behaviors. Changes within the brain's structure and performance cause individuals intense cravings, changes in personality, abnormal movements, and alternative behaviors. Brain imaging studies show changes in the areas of the brain that relate to judgment, call making, learning, memory, and behavioural control(American Psychiatry Association, n.d.) Healthtalk (n.d.) say that In general, people sometimes use drugs or alcohol to escape from their home, or personal, problems. Friends may suggest that coming out for a night\'s drinking or smoking a joint might help if they are feeling down. Some felt that they drank alcohol and took drugs because they were unsure 'who they were' as people and didn't have any plans for the future.  individuals could become dependent upon a wide variety of chemical substances that produce central nervous system effects. These effects may range from stimulation to depression. The use of any of these drugs can create, in certain individuals, a particular state of mind that is termed \" psychic dependence". In a study by Fried, Watson and Bay ( ), they found that current regular heavy users of marijuana did significantly worse than non-users in overall IQ, processing speed, immediate, and delayed memory. In contrast, the former marijuana smokers did not show any [cognitive impairments](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/cognitive-defect) However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (n.d.) said that drugs can have indirect effects on both the people who are taking drugs and on those around them. This can include affecting a person's nutrition; sleep; decision-making and impulsivity; and risk for trauma, violence, injury, and communicable diseases. Drug use can also affect babies born to women who use drugs while pregnant. Broader negative outcomes may be seen in education level, employment, housing, relationships, and criminal justice involvement. **The therapeutic community approach** Drug users who voluntarily submit themselves for treatment or reformation find that they are being given a chance to be treated and rehabilitated. Through the use of effective treatment modalities, drug dependents are being trained to kick out the habit and become productive citizens of the country once again. The country's Dangerous Drugs Board (or DDB) (n.d.) identified a number of treatment modalities for this group. One of the most popular approach is the t**herapeutic Community Approach. This approach**  views addiction as a symptomatic manifestation of a more complex psychological problem rooted in an interplay of emotional, social, physical and spiritual values. It is a highly structured program wherein the community is utilized as the primary vehicle to foster behavioral and attitudinal change. The patient receives the information and the impetus to change from being a part of the community. Role modelling and peer pressure play significant parts in the program. The goal of every therapeutic community is to change the patients' self-destructive thinking and behavioral pattern, teach them personal responsibility, positivize their self-image, create a sense of human community and provide an environment in which human beings can grow and take responsibility and credit for the growth (DDB,n.d.) The experiences of those who surrendered and went through this approach showed some success: **Experiences of VSRPS** However, the road to recovery is rough. VSRPs have to deal with averse treatment from society.   This affirms a new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study which suggests that people are [significantly](http://hub.jhu.edu/2014/10/01/drug-addiction-stigma) more likely to have negative attitudes toward those dealing with drug addiction than those with mental illness. In addition, people generally do not support insurance, housing, and employment policies that benefit those dependent on drugs. Skywood Recovery (n.d.) also claim that those struggling with addiction are often viewed as degenerates, "junkies," bums or just completely selfish individuals, which can often lead them to be cast out by their family and spouses, thrown in jail and deprived of healthcare. Addiction simply does not receive sympathy like other diseases, which hurts not only the person with addictive behaviors, but also contributes to the growing epidemic. Many studies and reports document adverse effects of substance use disorders (SUDs) on the family system and individual members. These include emotional burden, where members may feel anger, frustration, anxiety, fear, worry, depression, shame and guilt, or embarrassment. There could also be economic burden. This may be caused by money spent on substances, or money problems associated with the loss of jobs or reliance on public assistance. Another is relationship distress or dissatisfaction. Families may experience high rates of tension and conflict related to the SUD and problems it causes in the family. Family instability could also occur.. This may result from abuse or violence, or family breakup due to separation, divorce, or removal of children from the home **CHAPTER 3** **METHOD** The qualitative research design will be used in the study. It is a systematic subjective approach used to describe life experiences and give them meaning. The methods to be used will be critical ethnography. It is a qualitative interpretation of data --- examining particular social, cultural, or organisational settings from the perspectives of the participants involved. Among others, it uses participant observation**,** where the researcher is both a participant and observer in the research setting. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) to identify recurring themes by analyzing participant's experiences of drug addiction for a better understanding of the process of drug addiction, the defining moment of deciding to take back control and the recovery process. In-depth interviews with the VSRPs will be conducted in order to explore the experiences of individuals and the meanings they attached to their experiences, and with family members, in order to find out about their contributions to the recovery process. **References**: American Psychiatry Association (n.d.). What Is a Substance Use Disorder? Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction/what-is-addiction Healthtalk (n.d.) Drugs and alcohol. Retrieved from National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse.The Science of Drug Use: A Resource for the Justice Sector. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/criminal-justice/science-drug-use-resource-justice-sector Nussbaum, M. (2011) Creating Capabilities: the Human Development Approach UTHOR=Herman Melissa A., Roberto Marisa TITLE=The addicted brain: understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms of addictive disorders JOURNAL=Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience VOLUME=9 YEAR=2015 PAGES=18 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnint.2015.00018 DOI=10.3389/fnint.2015.00018 ISSN=1662-5145 ::: {.section.footnotes} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. ::: {#fn1} ::: :::