Illicit Drug use in the Asia Pacific Region - Burnet Institute

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Situational analysis of illicit drug issues and responses in the Asia–Pacific region 58 2 .10 Philippines Population: 84,241,341 2 .10 .1 Overview of recent drug trends The main drug of abuse is crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as ‘shabu’ . Domestically grown cannabis is the second most frequently abused drug, followed by cough and cold preparations, benzodiazepines and inhalants . Ecstasy is becoming increasingly popular as a drug of abuse . 2 .10 .2 Prevalence of drug use The Dangerous Drugs Board is completing the 2004 National Household Survey on the Nature and Extent of Drug Abuse . As a result, 1999 figures are reported here . As a percentage of the 1999 population (79,345,812): 4 .3 per cent were current users of illicit drugs, 2 .2 per cent were regular users of illicit drugs, and 2 per cent were occasional users of illicit drugs . 2 .10 .3 Drug supply The Philippines serves as a transit point for and producer of crystal methamphetamine and cannabis . In 1997, Philippine law enforcement dismantled 32 laboratories, a total of 2057 kilograms of shabu were recovered . Wild growth of cannabis occurs in the mountainous regions in the Philippines, generally cultivated in areas that are inaccessible by vehicles and/or are controlled by insurgent groups . Ecstasy is imported and used in the Philippines, regardless of its high price . Likewise, cocaine also enters the Philippines for transhipment and personal use, but at much lower levels than methamphetamine . 2 .10 .4 Drug-taking practices, risk factors and trends The Philippines has one of the lowest rates of HIV infection in Asia . Unlike other countries in Southeast Asia, injecting drug use has not made a substantial contribution to reported HIV infections and AIDS cases in the Philippines . It is generally accepted that shabu is not injected — the mode of ingestion 2 .10 .5 Summary table is inhalation . The Behavioural Baseline Survey on HIV/AIDS among injecting drug users in the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Cebu (2005) reported that 58 per cent of those interviewed injected drugs more than once per day and the majority (71%) of respondents used needles and syringes used by others . Aside from injecting nubain, the respondents also used shabu, cannabis and cough syrup . Estimated number of current drug users In 1999, an estimated 1 .8 million people were regular illicit drug users .* Main drugs used Shabu (methamphetamines) and cannabis Drugs injected Injecting drug use in the Philippines is reported to be very limited . Estimated prevalence of HIV infection among IDUs Based on the National HIV Sentinel Surveillance System of the National Epidemiology Centre (DoH), no drugrelated HIV case was recorded in 2003 . * A regular user is defined as having used illicit drugs once or twice per week for the six months prior to participating in the survey . 59 Country summaries: Philippines
Situational analysis of illicit drug issues and responses in the Asia–Pacific region 60 2 .10 .6 Country responses Policy and legislation Agreements and treaties 1961, 1971, 1988 UN Drug Conventions National drug control policy Main drug control legislation Drug control policy lead agency The Philippine National Drug Control Strategy — its vision is to attain a drug-free Philippines by 2010 . A three-pronged approach is planned to accomplish this objective: supply and demand reduction campaign, development/reform package, and people empowerment campaign . Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act 2002 Dangerous Drugs Board Law enforcement bodies Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Drug use addressed in last National HIV/AIDS Plan Unclear Possession of N&S unlawful Under Section 12 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, possession of equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs syringes is unlawful and can be used as evidence of drug use . Harm reduction Harm reduction interventions are limited and remain as pilot projects . Needle and syringe A small-scale NSP is operating in Cebu . programs (NSPs) Peer-based approaches The current STI/HIV/AIDS harm reduction program is anchored on a community outreach peer education system, although there is only one in the country . Supply reduction Supply reduction campaign led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Crop eradication Yes (cannabis) Demand reduction The supply/demand campaign consists of prevention and control measures against the production, processing, trafficking, financing, retailing and consumption of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals and plant sources of dangerous drugs; so as to make illicit drug trade unprofitable and thereby accomplish the first national objective . Treatment Treatment stays are usually for 45 days . The government treatment centres subsidise treatment fees . Detoxification is delivered by some non-government treatment centres; however, ‘cold turkey’ is the standard approach . The average length of stay in a rehabilitation centre (government) is six months . Voluntary or self-referral Yes Compulsory Yes Methadone for No detoxification Substitution therapy No Most common type 12 steps model of treatment provided Primary prevention Yes School-based education Yes Community education Yes 61 Country summaries: Philippines
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Illicit Drug use in the Asia Pacific Region - Burnet Institute

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