Screening for the Severity of Illicit Drug Use among the “Tokhang” Responders in the Philippines: Basis for Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program

Abstract

Substance use has turned into a worldwide phenomenon influencing practically every country. Alcohol and other drugs are rapidly becoming a problem for public health. The primary purpose of this study is to screen the severity levels of drug use among “Tokhang” (Cebuano word that implies Tok-tok Hangyo, where police staff knocks the doors of an affirmed user or pusher, asking him/her politely to surrender to the police so that he/she will be checked for further assessment) responders in the municipality of Don Carlos, Philippines.  The study results will provide baseline data on the severity of drug use among the responders. It is vital to know the severity level so that appropriate interventions will be formulated. This study utilized a descriptive-correlational survey design to determine the relationship between the sociodemographic profile and World Health Organization-Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (WHO-ASSIST) among the “Tokhang” responders. The majority of the Tokhang respondents were male comprising 999 (99.3 %) of the study population. In terms of marital status, 467 respondents were married (45.5%), 377 were single (37.5%), and 170 belonged in cohabitation (16.9%).   In terms of educational attainment, 338 respondents reached high school level (33.7%.) and were 258 high school graduates (25.7%). Tobacco products has a (M= 19.17) followed with alcoholic beverages with (M=17.89), and lastly, amphetamine-type stimulants such as shabu were rated as (M=3.64) and described as moderate risk level, respectively. The initial results of the study will provide the basis for the community-based rehabilitation program for low and moderate risk drug use and moderate to high alcohol and tobacco use among the Tokhang responders. The Brief Intervention for Referral Treatment will be followed to implement and evaluate the program focusing on these substances.