Reports highlight ‘holistic approach’ towards people who use drugs

CHEERS TO the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philstar.com for their reports that discuss the need for holistic and humane approaches in dealing with illegal drugs and in fixing the country’s drug policies. The two articles promote consideration of a less punitive and perhaps more effective policy approach. 

What’s the Story?

Freelance journalist Diana G. Mendoza wrote for the Philippine Daily Inquirer a two-part report on June 26 and 27. 

The first part introduced Johann “Panki” Nadela, a former intravenous or injecting drug user (IDU), who founded IDUCARE, a community-led organization managed by former IDUs based in Cebu City. IDUCARE teamed up with StreetLaw PH, an organization of human rights lawyers, to provide legal assistance to persons who use drugs. 

In the story, Nadela expressed the view that resolving the country’s drug problems “does not need to be a war.” He said he hoped for a humane reintegration to society of people who use drugs. 

The second part highlighted the country’s drug policy, which is the basis for draconian programs such as the “war on drugs.” It said that the Marcos administration would need “political commitment” to make the necessary changes for a more humane approach in fighting illegal drug use.

Philstar.com’s Kaycee Valmonte featured in her report three distinct support groups for persons who use drugs, namely NoBox Philippines, Silingan Coffee shop, and Program Paghilom. 

What the Stories Got Right

These stories featured case studies, included relevant data and laws, and presented possible solutions to the country’s illegal drug situation through health and humanitarian lenses. Interviews with human rights groups and civil society mentioned the brutalities of Duterte’s “war on drugs” and extrajudicial killings.

Mendoza cited StreetLaw PH executive director Mary Catherine Alvarez who emphasized the lack of access to legal aid, as some lawyers are reluctant to assist in cases involving persons who use drugs, suggesting as a reason, the fear of being tagged as “coddlers.” Referring to Karen Gomez Dumpit, a former member of the Commission on Human Rights, the article also pointed to prison congestion due to mass arrests in the “drug war,” a problem the government continues to address.

Gaps in Responses

Valmonte’s report highlighted civil society’s efforts in addressing gaps in the government’s response, such as providing support for victims of extrajudicial killings, helping them to find groups who can attend to their needs. 

Valmonte cited NoBox Philippines founder Inez Feria, who noted the many families who lost their breadwinners, a particular impact of the “drug war” on personal lives. Valmonte featured Silingan coffee shop in Quezon City, which aims to offer “safe” livelihood for breadwinners, mothers, and the bereaved.

She included the church-based Program Paghilom, which connects people who went through the same experience, offering sessions of grief counseling, legal assistance, educational aid to orphans and livelihood assistance to other victims of the “drug war.”

Why Is this Important?

The reports broadened the discussion in addressing illegal drugs as a public health issue, presented successful nongovernment support systems that should challenge the government to improve its ways in upholding and protecting the rights of persons who use drugs.

The stories of Mendoza and Valmonte are important in repairing the damage of stigmatization of those afflicted. These stories should also serve to pressure the Philippine government to examine and revise drug policies to better safeguard the rights of these persons who have already lost so much to drug use. These people retain their human rights which the government and the rest of society should respect and recognize.