Parents, community can reduce number of children in drugs
by Mitchell P. Duran, (ILO-IPEC)

Volume V, Number I, June 2005 Issue

While children must be recognized as the focus for social change in tackling the problem of children involved in the illegal drugs trade, their parents and community leaders are key to the success of direct intervention programs.

This was one of the lessons highlighted by a participatory action-oriented research on Working Children in Drugs in the Philippines, conducted by the Ateneo de Manila University, supported by the International Labour Organization-International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO-IPEC).  The study was presented during the National Conference on Children in Drugs:  Effective Community-Based Strategies for Prevention and Demand Reduction held on 11-12 August 2004 at the Richmonde Hotel, Pasig City.

In 1999, ILO-IPEC commissioned rapid assessment studies which concluded that a high proportion of children in the urban poor communities of Metro Manila and Cebu City were highly prone to drug abuse, particularly methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu.

The risks faced by children in drug use and trade go beyond the physical, social, and psychological disorders prevalent among drug-addicted children.  Children exposed to illicit drug use and trade often work and live their day-to-day life in a criminal environment rife with conflicts and tensions, and are often suspicious and fearful of adults and authorities.

To respond to the problems of children involved in drug sales and trafficking, ILO-IPEC initiated a research project in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand in September 2002.  In the Philippines, this project was implemented by the Ateneno de Manila University, in collaboration with community-based NGOs – Childhope-Asia/ Families and Communities for Empowerment and Development; Addictus-Philippines; and Kapatiran-Komunidad People’s Coalition.

The project sites were urban poor communities in Paco-Pandacan, Manila; Tatalon, Quezon City; and Barangays 91 and 92 in Pasay City.

Community profile.  Children and their families, who are mostly informal settlers, live in urban poor communities characterized by congested housing; irregular and low-income sources; high levels of unemployment and underemployment; low levels of education; and inadequate access to social services.

Most of the children involved in drugs are male, have dropped out of school, and come from families fraught with tensions and problems.

Tatalon seems to have more stable, complete families compared to the two other project sites.  A high proportion of children who live with their families are still in school and have completed more years of schooling.  They have the lowest incidence of drug use and involvement in drug sales and trafficking.

Paco-Pandacan has a high number of children living with their parents but a high proportion among them are out of school because of high unemployment and very low and irregular income of parents.  The incidence of involvement in drugs is in the medium range.

Pasay City children seem to be the most disadvantaged.  A high proportion of children are not living with their parents because of death, separation, criminality and drugs.  A high number of children have dropped out of school and have a high level of drug use or involvement.

Pattern of drug use and recruitment.  Children are initiated or recruited by people close to them like friends, peers (barkada), relatives, and neighbors who are engaged in drug use, sales, and trafficking.  While peer influence is a major factor in children being recruited into the drug network, children are mainly used as runners by their parents or other adults.

Chidlren’s initiation to drugs at younger age.  The children are initiated to drugs like shabu from 12 to 15 years.  The age of initiation seems to be getting lower.  In the 1999-2000 rapid assessment conducted in Tatalon and the Paco-Pandacan areas, the age of initiation was 15-17 years.  Curiosity and experimentation, associated with the teen or formative years, and the search for identity seem to be a strong factor in the children’s initiation to drugs.

Involvement in drug sale, trafficking.  Aside from drug abuse, children are involved in drug sales as trafficking couriers and watchers (posting or poste).  Younger children are usually used to deliver drugs because authorities are not suspicious of them.

Lessons learned.  Participation of children, their parents, and community officials is key to successful intervention programs.  However, appropriate types of participation must be selected.  Articulating children’s needs must come from children themselves, not from the assumptions of adults.  Further, sustainability of programs hinges on the participation and support of children, families, as well as community institutions and leaders.

Fundamental needs of children (family nurturing support, education, livelihood, social services) can only be facilitated.  There is a need for practical, useful programs that are not only preventive but help children build a future for themselves such as their schooling, career building and livelihood.

The study noted some points – Rehabilitation centers must be child-friendly and community-based.  Those established far from children’s communities tend to increase the child’s drug-related networks and expertise.

More attention should also be given to the link between sex, crime, and drugs.  There may even be a need to mainstream practical reproductive health education campaigns and activities, the study disclosed.

Understanding and responding to the needs of children in drugs is quite complex.  There are also risks and dangers involved in doing research and providing support and services for children involved in drug use, sales, and trafficking.

The child should be recognized as the central actor, as well as vehicle for social change as adults formulate and implement programs for children in drugs.

Among the recommendations advanced by the study are the need for protection and support for children in drugs in developing the capacity of the police and justice system to deal with the problem; and building awareness and capacities of the program actors.