1. Science in Criminology, San Sebastian College, Recoletos de Cavite, Cavite City, Philippines.
2. Science in Criminology, San Sebastian College, Recoletos de Cavite, Cavite City, Philippines.
3. Science in Criminology, San Sebastian College, Recoletos de Cavite, Cavite City, Philippines.
4. Science in Criminology, San Sebastian College, Recoletos de Cavite, Cavite City, Philippines.
5. Science in Criminology, San Sebastian College, Recoletos de Cavite, Cavite City, Philippines.
6. Science in Criminology, San Sebastian College, Recoletos de Cavite, Cavite City, Philippines.

*          Correspondence: cedric.calumpong@sscr.edu

Keywords: effectiveness, Balay Silangan, reformation program, community resources

1. INTRODUCTION

Within the year of 2020, the drug-related cases in the Philippines declined by over half, from four (4) million of every 2016 to 1.67 million out of 2019, three a long time after President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drug use. According to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), there is an assessed 2.05% predominance rate as of 2020, altogether lower than in 2018, with respects to the worldwide evaluated 5.3% as the World Sedate Report of 2020 distributed [1]. According to the Dangerous Drugs Board (2022), in the year 2022, there are a total of seventy (70) treatment and rehabilitation facilities. These reporting facilities recorded three thousand eight hundred sixty-five (3,865) admissions. Out of that total, 3,343 fresh admissions, 79 cases of readmission or relapse, and 443 current. An approximately forty-three percent (42.73%) rise in admissions was observed compared to the previous year, even though some facilities did not report any admissions. The increase in admissions is due to rehab centers reopening and PWUDs showing a willingness to seek treatment, with 40.78% voluntarily entering and 29.00% pleading for treatment. 41.32% of individuals start using drugs for the first time between the ages of 15 and 19.  Around thirty-nine percent (38.73%) confessed to using drugs between two (2) and five (5) times a week, while approximately twenty-five percent (24.68%) used drugs monthly and about twenty-one percent (20.62%) did the same. every seven days. An author [2] stated that community-based recovery may be an advantageous treatment of enslavement because it gives openings to memorize how compulsion settles into a solid intellect and body and how it can be ambushed, the program contributed best to the peace and arrange, solid family relationship and to the well-being and security of the surrenders. He said that endeavors of the Philippine Government intending to drug-related issues within the society, issues like need of healthcare benefit suppliers and restorative offices to offer recovery programs. Drug use disorders continue to be a social and political issue in the Philippines despite the introduction of a policy on drug treatment and rehabilitation in 1972. The study examined the Philippines’ drug treatment and rehabilitation policy by comparing official documents from 2002 to 2019 with aspects identified by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Local policy can cover both primary and secondary areas in drug treatment and rehabilitation [3]. The domains that were most well-explained and detailed included strategic definitions and principles, legal and regulatory background, and the development and execution of a successful treatment plan. There were only a couple of general provisions addressing the rights and responsibilities of those receiving treatment. The findings of the study, which is becoming a key focus for professionals and scholars in the local and regional areas, could be the initial step towards a comprehensive evaluation of the Philippine drug rehabilitation and treatment policy for policy review and updates [4]. Balay Silangan is a reformation initiative focused on implementing a family-centered approach to rehabilitation within a residential environment. A program emphasizes the importance of involving family members in the reformation process, recognizing that strong familial support can significantly enhance the effectiveness of reformation efforts. By fostering a nurturing environment, Balay Silangan aims to address the root causes of substance abuse while encouraging individuals to reconnect with their families, which is crucial for long-term recovery [5]. The program offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support individuals who have been involved in drug offenses. These services include targeted interventions, professional counseling, and skills training for livelihood development. By providing participants with the necessary tools and emotional guidance, Balay Silangan empowers them to make constructive life choices. A holistic approach not only helps to meet immediate needs but also prepares individuals for reintegration into society, promoting self-sufficiency and reducing the likelihood of relapse [6]. Ultimately, Balay Silangan aims to facilitate the successful reintegration of drug offenders as responsible and law-abiding citizens. Through its multifaceted support system, the program seeks to minimize recidivism and promote community safety. By instilling a sense of accountability and encouraging positive family and community connections, Balay Silangan plays a critical role in transforming lives and contributing to the overall well-being of society [7]. The Balay Silangan Reformation Program is an essential initiative targeting the rehabilitation and reintegration of drug offenders in the Philippines, aiming to restore their dignity while providing necessary support to mitigate recidivism and enhance social stability [8,9]. Moreover, the program underscores the critical role of social support systems, such as family, community and peer networks, in facilitating recovery, as demonstrated by [10,11]. Additionally, a comprehensive understanding of psychosocial factors influencing drug offenders, including mental health challenges and coping strategies, is vital to the program’s efficacy, as highlighted by [12,13]. Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) participate in livelihood programs designed to improve their socioeconomic status by acquiring assets and developing new skills. Examples include vocational skills training, and job placement service. Psychosocial interventions for individuals for PWUDs focus on addressing both psychological and social aspects that impact their journey to recovery. Examples include group therapy, support groups, and family counselling, which improve coping abilities and social relationships. Physical activities for PWUDs are defined as organized workouts or leisure activities that can reduce boredom and prevent relapse are participating in team sports and contributing to community service projects like tree planting. Education and Health need to provide access to literacy programs and educational workshops for those who need to complete their basic education and in health it needs programs focusing on nutrition, substance abuse prevention, and mental health awareness. PWUDs need to complete their basic education that provides resources for continued learning. Now, study has looked for the effectiveness of Balay Silangan Reformation Programs in Noveleta, Cavite. There is a limited study regarding the Balay Silangan and the programs that come with it. In addition, the alarming proliferation of drug cases in the Philippines and the rising number of people who need to undergo reformation are the factors that were considered as to the reason why the study conducted the study. Generally, the study determined the effectiveness of Balay Silangan Reformation Programs.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study applied the quantitative method of study particularly descriptive. The study design was used to determine the significant difference of the effectiveness of Balay Silangan reformation program when grouped according to the respondent’s profile. Survey questionnaires were distributed to gather the data needed in the study. The study was conducted in a Balay Silangan Reformation Center in the Province of Cavite. Specifically in the municipality Noveleta that is located in Brgy. Poblacion, Noveleta, Cavite. The respondents of the study were the PWUDs under the care of Balay Silangan Reformation Center located in Noveleta, Cavite. The study utilized purposive sampling that intentionally chose participants who have specific characteristics or experiences relevant to the study’s objectives. The method targets a specific group to gather detailed and relevant data. The respondents of the study were the PWUDs under the aftercare of Balay Silangan Reformation Center in Noveleta, Cavite from the 1^st quarter to December of 2023. The study gathered 85 target respondents and all of them managed to participate in the study. The following were the qualifications of the respondents who had been part of the study based on Section 11, Eligibility to the Program, and DDB Board Regulation No. 2 Series of 2018: Drug personalities who voluntarily surrendered and do not belong to the PDEA and PNP Target List, Wanted List and Watch List or have any other criminal case/s pending. Drug personalities who availed of the plea-bargaining agreement and/or convicted under Section 15 (Use of Dangerous Drugs) of the Act are required to undergo Drug Reformation Program which shall serve as alternate intervention. Drug personalities who served jail terms for violation of the Act are eligible to undergo the Program. The instrument utilized a survey questionnaire that is divided into two parts. The first part of the instrument contains the demographic profile of the respondents such as age, gender, and educational attainment. The second part of the instrument was the items pertaining to the effectiveness of Balay Silangan Reformation Programs which was based on the Dangerous Drugs Board, Board Resolution No. 3 Series of 2022, RA 9165. It included a 4-item scale made by the study. The instrument for the effectiveness of Balay Silangan reformation program was composed of three (3) aspects namely: Education and Health, Psychosocial and Physical Activities, and Livelihood or Employment Education. First are the Education and Health with a total of 3-item questionnaires. Then, Psychosocial and Physical Activities include a 6-item questionnaire. Lastly, the Livelihood or Employment Education that includes a 7-item questionnaire. Overall, it includes a 16-item questionnaire. The adapted-modified questionnaires that were used in the study underwent content validity ratio by Lawshe. It also involved three (3) validators using the formula where CVR stands for content validity ratio, n_e is the number of panel members considered an item “essential” and lastly N is for the number of panel members [14]. After the validation, the study sent a letter to the Balay Silangan Reformation Center in Noveleta, Cavite for approval in the conduction of the study. Upon request approval, the survey was done through in-person. The study distributed the printed survey questionnaires to the participants and assisted them with their queries with regards to the content of the questionnaire. After that, the data gathered were computed and analyzed. The authors observed confidentiality and voluntary participation; the respondents have the right to withdraw to participate in the study. The study provided the respondents with the copy of the informed consent form informing the study that the respondents agreed to participate in the study. Thus, the risk and benefits were also indicated in the consent form. Other than that, the study have followed the policy on disposing of the study survey that has been used on survey gathering based on the study manual existing in the institution. Mean and standard deviation were used for problem 1, in determining the effectiveness of the Balay Silangan Reformation Program in terms of Education and Health, Psychosocial and Physical Activities, and Livelihood or Employment Education when the respondents were taken collectively and grouped according to the demographic profile. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was utilized for problem No. 2 in finding out the significant difference on the effectiveness of Balay Silangan Reformation Program when taken and grouped according to the respondent’s profile. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) may also be used to analyze the difference between the means of more than two groups.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The statistical facts pertaining to the issues raised were presented in study. The section of the study incorporates the related data analysis and interpretation.

Table 01: The Effectiveness of Balay Silangan Reformation Programs in Noveleta, Cavite in terms of Education and Health, Psychosocial and Physical Activities, and Livelihood or Employment Education.

Programs for education are essential to rehabilitation from addiction. They provide the basis for psych education, which enables individuals to comprehend the root reasons of addiction and how it impacts their lives. With the information, people may adopt healthier lives and make well-informed decisions. In addition to teaching coping mechanisms that are essential for avoiding relapses, programs also stress the value of emotional support. Engaging techniques like interactive seminars and workshops are used in these programs. They include family dynamics, rehabilitation choices, and the emotional and physical processes of addiction. By doing that, educational programs encourage motivation for long-term treatment adherence in addition to improving self-efficacy [15]. An author [16] stated that one of various reasons contributing to the low efficacy of psychosocial and physical activity programs is the lack of resources and access to high-quality psychosocial rehabilitation programs. It includes inadequate funding, shortage of employees, and restricted services in accessibility in some areas. The effectiveness and accessibility of these services for those in need may be severely impacted by these restrictions. According to [17], investing in the Balay Silangan is valuable as it leads to higher educational achievement and improved success rates in examinations for the participants. The development of life situation skills and knowledge through reformation is the main objective of these programs. According to the results, PWUDs who took part in Balay Silangan Reformation Programs have improved life skills, knowledge, and community engagement. It also helps them deal with problems better and have better social life connections, which strengthens their family and community relationships. According to [12, 18], there is evidence on these programs with studies results in improvements in the psychological well-being, recovery skills, life skills, and quality of family relationships of the participants.

Table 02: The significant difference on the effectiveness of Balay Silangan Reformation Programs when taken collectively and grouped according to Gender.

According to [19], individualized treatment strategies are essential because each person has unique needs, experiences, and difficulties that cannot be adequately met by general approaches regardless of gender. Understanding each person’s unique strengths, shortcomings, objectives, and preferences is a top priority for effective programs in order to develop customized methods that optimize their chances of success. Strictly depending on gender-based presumptions may ignore important aspects of an individual’s particular circumstance, producing less beneficial or even harmful results. Treatment approaches that prioritize the person are more likely to promote involvement, trust, and long-term success. Table 2 showed that the gender of the respondents has no significant impact on how they participate in various programs provided by the Balay Silangan Reformation Center. It reveals that gender does not affect the respondents’ way of absorbing the values and knowledge based on the programs. According to [14], the gender did not significantly influence participants’ views of nonmedical prescription stimulants use or NMUPS. However, academic use was perceived less negatively than recreational use emphasizing the importance of educating students about the risks of NMUPS, even for academic purposes.

Table 03: The significant difference on the effectiveness of Balay Silangan Reformation Programs when taken collectively and grouped according to Age.

These results show that the age of PWUDs contributes to significant differences in the effectiveness of the programs under the Balay Silangan Reformation Programs. It is visible that for the programs of Education and Health, and Livelihood or Employment Education, the age of the respondents has a significant impact on how such programs can be effective for the respondents. Among other things, the demographic profile of the offenders or PWUDs is essential, such as age. An author [20] discovered that age significantly influences program success. Age-appropriate approaches may be essential when creating reintegration programs for individuals recovering from substance abuse. According to the previous study, majority of interviewees (71%) were male ranged from 25 to 52 years of age. Recovering PWUDs reported using methamphetamine and shabu from 4 to 23 years (average of 14.5 years) Nine of the PWUDs shared their first use of drugs was influenced by their friends while two mentioned that they first accessed drugs from relatives who sell in their communities [15]. An author [16] says that individuals from 26-34 years of age need more treatment. Those 35 to 49 years of age have 12% lower percentage and lastly those aged 65 and older had the lowest percentage that need drug treatment. The study shows that older people had the lowest percentage of treatment than younger people need more.

Table 04: The significant difference on the effectiveness of Balay Silangan Reformation Programs when taken collectively and grouped according to Educational Attainment.

Highly educated individuals are probably equipped to benefit and rebuild their lives after reformation programs. The results provide that the educational attainment of the respondents has a significant implication for the programs under the Balay Silangan Reformation Programs. It shows how the level of education affects the respondents on how they deal with the knowledge given to them through the programs. Educational Attainment plays a crucial role in developing recovery capital for individuals in recovery, emphasizes that academic education significantly influences the rehabilitation process. It highlights that education fosters personal development, enhances self-efficacy, and facilitates social reintegration, ultimately supporting sustained recovery. Furthermore, the study identifies education as a vital resource that contributes to various dimensions of recovery capital, including social and human capital, which are essential for long-term success in overcoming addiction [18].

4. CONCLUSION

The results revealed that all the Balay Silangan Reformation Programs in Noveleta Cavite have very effective interpretations on the respondents in terms of Education and Health (3.65), Psychosocial and Physical Activities (3.29), and Livelihood or Employment Education (3.41). In general, the programs under Education and Health have the highest mean rating that can be interpreted as very effective. Nevertheless, although the programs under the Psychosocial and Physical Activities and Livelihood or Employment Education got a lower mean rating compared to the former, the results were still interpreted as very effective as well. Based on the results, the effectiveness of Balay Silangan Reformation Programs when taken collectively and grouped according to Gender shows that there was no significant difference. On the other hand, there was a significant difference to the effectiveness of Balay Silangan Reformation Programs when taken collectively and grouped according to the respondents’ Age and Educational Attainment. Overall, the Balay Silangan Reformation Programs were very effective based on the result of the study. It is also important to note that significant differences vary depending on the participants’ demographic profiles. Based on the findings, the study revealed that the Effectiveness of Balay Silangan Reformation Programs have both positive aspects and areas for improvement. According to the results that were answered by PWUDs, the programs that were offered to them were very effective and some were effective. These results suggest that there is room for enhancement and improvement, especially in the Psychosocial and Physical Activities aspect. Additionally, the programs under Education and Health reveal that the PWUDs gain knowledge throughout their reformation journey. For the effectiveness of the programs under Livelihood and Employment Education, it is manifested in their lives after they graduated from the reformation programs, hence, their employment percentage of one hundred percent (100%). Lastly, the programs under Psychosocial and Physical Activities show that the overall well-being of the PWUDs is improved based on their evaluation of the said program. The study also revealed that the Gender of the PWUDs does not have a significant difference in the effectiveness of the Balay Silangan Reformation Programs in Noveleta, Cavite. On the contrary, their Age and Educational Attainment proved that there is a significant impact on how effective the Balay Silangan Reformation Programs in Noveleta, Cavite are.

5. RECOMMENDATION

Based on the findings of the study, the following are hereby recommended to enhance collaborations with nearby companies to facilitate job placements, enabling PWUDs to acquire practical experience. Take actions to decrease the negative perception linked to drug use, encouraging seminars on understanding about drug rehabilitation for PWUDs. Letting the members of the community have knowledge of Balay Silangan Reformation Centers in their areas, as well as the programs and benefits that it provides. Engaging families of PWUDs to provide crucial support for the latter. Providing long-term aftercare support to continuously monitor the PWUDs. Forming peer support groups where participants can share experiences and provide mutual support with the supervision of a professional. Offering courses on financial literacy, cooking, and other essential life skills to aid in independent living. The implementation of regular feedback mechanisms allows the people managing the Balay Silangan Reformation Center to have a more understanding of the things they need to improve or enhance.

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