Improving substance use services in the Philippines: A health sector perspective

A PUBLIC HEALTH PHYSICIAN SHARES HOW WE CAN REFORM DRUG SERVICES, GROUNDED ON THE BASIC APPRECIATION OF EVIDENCE, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION OF THE PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE.

- By RJ NAGUIT

Criminality and accountability are the dominant themes in the discourse on drugs in the Philippines. In the hearings led by the House Quad Committees last year, two observations stood out for me: justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings and the resurgence of human rights in the vocabulary of politicians. Yet, amid the lengthy discussions and the high media attention, a crucial discussion was glaringly absent: drug services reform.

The committee report from these hearings hinted at the need for drug policy reforms. But so far, concrete changes remain elusive. If the Philippines is to move forward, we must reimagine our approach to drug policy—not solely as a matter of criminal justice, but as a health issue that demands compassion, evidence-based interventions, and meaningful support for those affected.

In this article, I share five areas as a public health physician that can be pursued to enact meaningful reforms on drug services:

EXPAND SERVICES BEYOND 'REHABILITATION'

Currently, drug-related services in the Philippines focus primarily on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Drug policy scholar and fellow physician Gideon Lasco wrote an article on the narratives surrounding rehabilitation, which is usually equated with a health-oriented approach. While rehabilitation is part of the services for people who use drugs, it is not enough. Rehabilitation may not even be the most appropriate 'treatment' for a specific segment of the population.