2019 Drug Survey Report
2019 Drug Survey Report
2019 Drug Survey Report
dysfunction of the majority of our countrymen. You know, when a father goes down because
of drugs, the entire family becomes dysfunctional.
What happens now if this contamination will go on and on? What will happen to the next
generation? What will happen now if we allow drugs to destroy not only a few but many?
Then you have a generation -- a fractured generation, and a problem to be solved by the next
generation. Think of your grandchild and think of your son or daughter.
I therefore assure you that this administration remains relentless in its war against illegal
drugs, criminality, corruption, terrorism and environmental degradation. We will continue to
persevere in this aspiration because we are committed in fostering a better and brighter
future for the Filipino children.
i List of Acronyms
ii Foreword: DDB Chairperson
iii Foreword: Civil Registrar
General
iv Foreword: I-Metrics Asia
President and CEO
v Foreword: DSWD Secretary
1 Executive Summary
INTRODUCTION
6 Objectives
6 Sampling Design
6 Data Gathering Method
DETAILED
RESEARCH
FINDINGS
9 Respondent Profile
9 Sex
9 Age
9 Educational Attainment
9 Socioeconomic
Classification
10 Lifetime User Prevalence
10 Estimated Number of
Lifetime Users by Region
11 Dangerous Drugs
Substances Ever Tried
20 Percentage of Filipinos
Aged 10-69 Years Who
Have Tried Smoking
20 Age When Started
Smoking
20 Reasons for Trying to
Smoke
20 Percentage of Triers Who
Continue to Smoke
CONCLUSIONS
27 Conclusions
RECOMMENDATIONS
28 Recommendations
List of
Acronyms
4Ps - Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
BARMM - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao
BOC - Bureau of Customs
CAPI - Computer-Assisted Personal Interview
CAR - Cordillera Autonomous Region
CHAID - Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection
CSO/s - Civil Society Organization/s
DDB - Dangerous Drugs Board
DepEd - Department of Education
DOF - Department of Finance
DILG - Department of the Interior and Local Government
DOH - Department of Health
DSWD - Department of Social Welfare and Development
FDAPP - Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program
LGUs - Local Government Unit/s
MOE - Margin of Error
NCR - National Capital Region
NGO/s - Non-Government Organization/s
NS - Not specified
PADS - Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy
PAPI - Paper and Pen Interview
PO/s - Private Organization/s
PSA - Philippine Statistics Authority
PWUDs - Persons Who Use Drugs
SDEC - Special Drug Education Center
WHO - World Health Organization
i
Foreword
The Dangerous Drugs Board banks on
the ideals of objective analysis and
thorough research to ensure that
policies and strategies remain effective,
responsive and relevant.
ii
collection, the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA) appreciates institutions
that value the use of statistics in order to
materialize their respective mandates and
uphold good governance in the country.
iii
Using established data processing and
logistical rules, we were able to generate
statistical tables, perform data analytics,
and construct the report of the 2019 Drug
Survey. Through this survey, we believe that
we are able to scientifically generate the
prevalence of lifetime and current
drug use, determine the patterns and
trends of the drug problem, and evaluate
the performance of the government in drug
prevention and control, as seen from the
lens of Filipinos.
iv
of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA), and I-Metrics Asia Pacific, Inc.
v
Rest assured that DSWD will continue to The 2019 National Household Survey on
provide full support to all initiatives of the the Patterns and Trends of Drug Abuse
government in relation to our battle against was conducted in collaboration with the
illegal drugs. We are also committed to Department of Social Welfare and
continuously fulfill our task of empowering Development (DSWD), Philippine Statistics
local government units and other Authority (PSA), and I-Metrics Asia Pacific,
stakeholders in the provision of aftercare Inc.
and support services to transform
recovering persons who used drugs. Research framework, methodology and
instruments were validated and vetted by
More than providing data and information, the PSA. Trained field interviewers of the
may the results of the survey also ignite DSWD were engaged for the data gathering
actions among our fellow citizens to activities. Processing of data and analysis,
contribute towards building a nation that is on the other hand, was done by I-Metrics
free from the clutches of illegal drugs. Asia Pacific, Inc.
vi
Executive
Summary
The main objective of the 2019 National
Household Survey on the Patterns and
Trends of Drug Abuse is to determine the
magnitude of the drug problem nationwide
and estimate the number of lifetime and
current drug users. Specifically, it aims to
determine prevalence and number of
lifetime and current drug users (local and
national levels); define the demographic
characteristics of lifetime and current drug
users; measure awareness of the
respondents to the anti-drug programs and
services provided by the government at the
barangay level; and provide
recommendations to counter the drug
problem at the national level.
1
Lifetime User Prevalence Rate: Two Using Philippine Statistics Authority's
questions were used to estimate and (PSA) 2019 population projections
derive lifetime user prevalence rate. Based covering ages 10 to 69 (81,713,276),
on this, lifetime user prevalence rate is lifetime user prevalence rate translates to
5.8% of Filipinos with ages from 10 to 69 4.7 million Filipinos (or between 3.9
years old. This figure suggests that for million to 5.6 million Filipinos), distributed
every 100 Filipinos aged 10-69 years, six as follows:
(6) have tried dangerous drugs/substances
at least once in their lifetime.
6 OUT
OF 100
FILIPINOS AGED
10-69 YEARS
HAVE TRIED
DANGEROUS
DRUGS AT
LEAST ONCE IN
THEIR LIFE
2
Current User Prevalence Rate: DDB's
Project Team selected two variables to 2 OUT OF 100
estimate current user prevalence rate. FILIPINOS AGED
Based on this, current user prevalence rate 10-69 YEARS ARE
is 2.05% of Filipinos with ages 10 to 69
years old. This translates to around 1.7
USING DANGEROUS
million Filipinos in that age range, implying DRUGS AT THE
that for every 100 Filipinos aged 10-69 TIME OF THE
years, two (2) are using dangerous
drugs/substances at the time of the
INTERVIEW
interview.
3
Widely Known Dangerous Drugs/
Substances: As to what dangerous
drugs/substances come to mind first when
asked, 47.9% of the respondents
mentioned Shabu and 35%, Marijuana.
These are also the top two (2) dangerous
drugs and substances prominently
mentioned across regions, gender, age
group, and educational attainment.
Television is the primary source of
knowledge of respondents across region,
gender, age group, and educational
attainment. Other sources include radio, MARIJUANA
neighbor, friend, internet, and school. It has
been noted that the internet is emerging as
AND SHABU
one of the top sources of awareness.
ARE THE TOP TWO
DRUGS OF CHOICE
Marijuana (57%) and Shabu (35%) are the
top two (2) dangerous drugs of choice of Profiling Drug Users: Using several feature
Filipino lifetime users aged 10-69 years selection methods, the study shortlisted a
old. few variables that have strong association
with drug use and non-drug use. These are
Government's Anti-Drug Campaign: region, gender, and age when user started
About 65.8% of respondents (6,149 out of risky behaviors.
N=9,341) say that they are aware of the
government's anti-drug campaign. Chi-squared Automatic Interaction
Detection (CHAID), a decision tree model,
Of those who are aware, about 81.6% created several predictive paradigms with
(5,017 out of n=6,149) either agree (33.6% a rule confidence ranging from 70% to
or 2,066 out of n=6,149) or strongly agree 91%. The model validates the gateway
(48.0% or 2,951 out of n=6,149) to the principle that a drug user becomes one
government's anti-drug campaign. after starting to smoke at age 17 or
younger, follows up with drinking at age 20
Significantly, those who are aware of the or younger. He starts smoking and drinking
government's anti-drug campaign opine because of peer influence and curiosity.
that the current drug situation under the The model suggests an information and
present administration has slightly advocacy program that prevents junior
improved (34.7% or 2,133 out of n=6,149) high school students from initiating to
to greatly improved (45.5% or 2,798 out of smoke and alcohol drinking.
n=6,149).
4
Recommendations: The government has drinking by minors, provide interventions to
been successful in informing the public those caught in possession of cigarettes/
and making them understand the perils of liquors and promote programs that create
drug abuse. However, there is a need to psychological barriers towards early
address the identified triggers/gateways smoking/alcohol drinking, among others.
that lead one to drug experimentation. The
progression to drug use continues unless The Department of Finance, through the
the bud (smoking/alcohol drinking) is Bureau of Customs, may implement
deterred at a young age. This is a youth stricter measures to prevent smuggling of
problem that requires a whole-of-nation cigarette and liquor.
approach.
Other recommended actions are as
The Department of Health should explore follows:
healthy alternatives to deter youth from
engaging in unhealthy habits and heighten The anti-drug efforts of the
their campaign on the promotion government with targeted campaigns
of healthy lifestyles and prevention of the against smoking and alcohol drinking
early onset of smoking and other vices. among teenagers should maximize
online platforms.
The Department of Education to continue Preventive and intervention programs
teaching young students the hazards of should best be delivered across social
smoking and alcohol drinking, imposing and traditional media.
certain restrictions to prevent early As established, reduction in the
initiation. number of teenagers who venture into
smoking and alcohol drinking at certain
"THE PROGRESSION ages will likely lessen the probability
TO DRUG USE towards drug experimentation/use.
The campaign should promote suitable
CONTINUE UNLESS alternatives or messages at ages when
THE BUD IS these teenagers are most vulnerable.
DETERRED AT A In accordance with the whole-of-nation
YOUNG AGE" approach, the government should
involve the private sector, NGOs, faith-
The Department of the Interior and Local based groups, and other stakeholders
Government should issue circulars in the overall campaign against drugs.
directing local government units (LGUs) to Monitoring, review, assessment and
promote smoke-free/alcohol-free evaluation of programs and projects to
communities particularly for the youth and make the anti-drug campaign
offer alternative wholesome activities for responsive, relevant, and sustainable.
them.
5
1Introduction
Objectives
The main objective of the 2019 National The survey was designed to
Household Survey on the Patterns and produce representative
Trends of Drug Abuse is to determine the estimates for the
magnitude of the drug problem nationwide Philippines as a whole and
and estimate the number of lifetime and for each of the 17
current drug users. administrative regions.
6
Sample Size by Region
7
Delimitations of the Survey
Response Errors
As a sample survey, it is important to note Due to Perceived
the statistical and practical limitations of
Incriminatory
the study, among which are as follows:
Nature of the
Sample Survey Questions
The 2019 study is a sample The nature of the survey
survey of Filipinos who are 10 suggests that we need to
to 69 years old. It was consider possible response
designed to produce errors. The main question on
representative estimates for the use of dangerous drugs
the Philippines as a whole and is very sensitive and
for each of 17 administrative considered by those who
regions. may be alluded to by the
question as incriminating.
Direct questioning did not
External Conditions
yield full cooperation from
There were challenges in the
lifetime users which was
data collection including
anticipated. Voluntary
peace and order conditions in
response could have been
some survey areas, weather
perceived as damaging and
conditions at the time of the
potentially affects eligibility
survey, limited transportation,
to some government
and distances of households
programs like 4Ps. The
in rural areas.
current user prevalence rate
intends to measure the
Margin of Error number of current users
As a sample survey, margin of based on certain indicators.
error (MOE) applies. MOE tells For such cases, we utilized
us how many percentage proxy responses to
points the results may differ substitute for drug use.
from the real population value.
For this study, at a 95%
confidence level and a sample
size of 9,341, the margin of
error is +/-1.01%.
8
2 Detailed
Research Findings
Respondent Profile
Sex (N=9,341) Age (N=9,341)
The study The study sample
respondents were consisted mostly of
about equally divided Filipinos aged 18-59
between males and years (69.9%). The
females. 10-17 years old
comprised 17.8%
and those aged 60-
69 years, 12.3%.
9
Lifetime User Prevalence
Lifetime User Prevalence Rate (N=9,341)
5.8%
Lifetime user prevalence rate ABOUT
4.7 MILLION OR
MOE = +/-1.01% SIX OUT OF EVERY
(minimum of 4.79% to 100 FILIPINOS
maximum of 6.81%) AGED 10-69 YEARS
TRIED DANGEROUS
Estimated population of lifetime users: DRUGS/SUBSTANCES
4,739,370
AT LEAST ONCE
(minimum of 3.9 million to
maximum of 5.6 million)
IN THEIR LIFE
Chart 1. Perceived Regional Estimate of the Number of Lifetime Users (in thousands)
Note: The numbers shown above the bars are population estimates of perceived lifetime users in
thousands while the numbers below the region names are the perceived lifetime user prevalence rates in
percentages
10
Average Age When First Tried Using Dangerous Drugs/Substances (n=541)
Most lifetime users were initiated to dangerous drugs/substance use at age 22.
22 YEARS OLD
AGE WHEN MOST
LIFETIME USERS
STARTED TRYING
DANGEROUS DRUGS/
SUBSTANCES
57.4%
23.7%
INFLUENCED BY
CURIOSITY
FRIENDS
11
Lifetime User Prevalence Rate by Sex
About 9.3% or 442 of n=4,730 males aged 10-69 years have tried taking
drugs/substances compared to only 2.2% or 99 of n=4,611 females.
12
Lifetime User Prevalence Rate by Lifetime User Prevalence Rate by Socio-
Educational Attainment economic Class
Based on this survey, those with vocational
education are more likely to have tried
dangerous drugs/substances than those
from other education attainment level
groups. The same can be said about those
with college education when compared to
those with either high school or elementary
education attainment.
Vocational
10.2% or 28 of n=271
College
7.1% or 152 of n=2,144
*Based on DSWD Classification
High School
5.7% or 227 of n=4,018
Elementary
4.2% or 113 of n=2,675
Not Specified
8.7% or 20 of n=233
13
Current User Prevalence
Current User Prevalence Rate (N=9,341)
ABOUT
2.05% 1.7 MILLION OR
Current user prevalence rate TWO OUT OF
EVERY 100
MOE = +/-1.01% FILIPINOS
(minimum of 1.04% to AGED 10-69 YEARS
maximum of 3.06%) ARE TAKING
DANGEROUS
Estimated population of current users:
DRUGS/SUBSTANCES
1,675,122 AT THE TIME OF THE
(minimum of 849,818 to INTERVIEW
maximum of 2,500,426)
Chart 2. Perceived Regional Estimate of the Number of Current Users (in thousands)
Note: The numbers shown above the bars are population estimates of perceived current users in
thousands while the numbers below the region names are the perceived current user prevalence rates in
percentages.
14
Current User Prevalence Rate by Sex
About 3.78% or 179 of n=4,730 males aged 10-69 years are current drug users at the
time of the interview compared to only 0.28% or 13 of n=4,611 females.
15
Current User Prevalence Rate by Current User Prevalence Rate by Socio-
Educational Attainment economic Class
Those with vocational education are more
likely to be current users of dangerous
drugs/substances at the time of the
interview than those from other education
attainment level groups. There is not much
difference in the current user prevalence
rate among those who attained college,
high school, and elementary education.
Vocational
5.68% or 15 of n=271
College
2.09% or 45 of n=2,144
*Based on DSWD Classification
High School
2.02% or 81 of n=4,018
Elementary
1.66% or 44 of n=2,675
Not Specified
2.54% or 6 of n=233
16
Awareness of Dangerous Drugs/Substances and Sources
of Awareness
47.9% SHABU
METHAMPHETAMINE
HYDROCHLORIDE
35% MARIJUANA
CANNABIS SATIVA
17
Public Perceptions About Drug Use
Perceived Negative Effects of Drug Use (N=9,341)
Health problems top the list of perceived negative effects of drug use. The other
commonly mentioned negative effects are: hallucination, separation of family, and
damage on self-image.
*multiple responses
Note: The numbers shown above the bars are in percentages.
Perception on People Who Would be Most Helpful for Those Who Use Dangerous
Drugs/Substances (N=9,341)
Institutions or people that respondents consider to be most helpful to drug users who
would like to seek interventions are: household/family members, police, and LGU,
among others.
18
Perception on Ways to Avoid Using Dangerous Drugs/Substances (N=9,341)
According to respondents, the top five (5) ways to avoid using dangerous
drugs/substances are: looking for productive leisure activities, keeping oneself busy,
staying at home, thinking about impact on family, and praying.
29.2%
look for productive 8.9%
leisure activities study
24.6%
keep oneself busy 6.6%
with career/job/ exercise
business
20.9% 5%
stay at home sleep/ rest
16.5%
think about impact 4.2%
on family eat
13.5%
6.6%
pray
no answer
62.6%
PEER INFLUENCE
19
Risky Behavior: Smoking
Percentage of Filipinos Aged 10-69 Years
Who have Tried Smoking (N=9,341)
About 36.2% of Filipinos aged 10-69 years
have tried smoking. This translates to about ON THE
29 million Filipinos who have tried smoking AVERAGE,
or a ratio of four (4) out of ten (10) Filipinos
aged 10-69 years.
FILIPINOS
AGED 10-69
Age When Started Smoking (n=3,385) YEARS TRIED
Nineteen (19) years old is the starting age SMOKING AT
for smoking, on the average, among
NINETEEN
Filipinos aged 10-69 years.
YEARS OLD
Reasons for Trying to Smoke (n=3,385)
Peer influence and curiosity are the
identified reasons for trying to smoke,
among others.
62.6% 39.8%
PEER INFLUENCE CURIOSITY
20
Reasons for Continuing to Smoke (n=1,496)
At the time of the interview, respondents who have tried smoking cited that the main
reasons for continuing to smoke are enjoyment/relaxation and cannot stop it.
54.3% 18.9%
ENJOYMENT & CANNOT STOP
RELAXATION IT
Percentage of Filipinos Aged 10-69 Years Who have Tried Alcohol Drinking (N=9,341)
About 56.7% of Filipinos aged 10-69 years have tried alcohol drinking. This translates to
about 46 million or a ratio of six (6) out of ten (10) Filipinos aged 10-69 have tried
drinking alcohol.
56.7%
TRIED ALCOHOL
DRINKING
Age When Started Alcohol Drinking (n=5,299)
Twenty-one (21) years old is the starting age for alcohol drinking, on the average, for
Filipinos aged 10-69 years.
21
Reasons for Trying Alcohol Drinking (n=5,299)
At the time of the interview, respondents who have tried alcohol drinking identified peer
influence and curiosity as the main reasons for their initiation to alcohol drinking.
68.4%
PEER 31.4%
INFLUENCE CURIOSITY
44.7%
51.8% ENJOYMENT &
SOCIALIZATION RELAXATION
22
Statistical Tools Used to Look into the Interrelationship of the Three Risky Behaviors
The following are the statistical tools used to determine the link between and among the
three (3) risky behaviors:
Stepwise approach
Statistical-based feature selection method
Derived central tendencies
Descriptive analyses
Linear structural relationship (Path Model)
Correspondence analysis (Perceptual Mapping)
Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID)
Of the 4.7 million Filipinos aged 10-69 years who are lifetime users, about 3.5 million
tried drugs, smoking, and alcohol drinking simultaneously. This translates to four (4)
out of 100 Filipinos aged 10-69 years have tried drugs, smoking, and alcohol drinking
simultaneously once in their life.
Of the 4.7 million Filipinos aged 10-69 years who are lifetime users, about 600,000
tried drugs and alcohol drinking simultaneously. This translates to one (1) out of 100
Filipinos aged 10-69 years have tried drugs and alcohol drinking simultaneously once
in their life.
23
Of the 4.7 million Filipinos aged 10-69 years who are lifetime users, about 142,000
tried drugs and smoking simultaneously. This translates to two (2) out of 1000
Filipinos aged 10-69 years have tried drugs and smoking simultaneously once in their
lifet.
24
Youth Smoking and Drug Use
Most lifetime drug users (74.4%) engage in drug use simultaneously with smoking and
alcohol drinking.
They progressed from smoking (starting at age 17) to alcohol drinking (starting at age
18) to trying dangerous drugs and substances (starting at age 22).
25
Government's Anti-Drug Campaign
Public Awareness and Reception of the Government's Anti-Drug Campaign
About 65.8% of respondents (6,149 out of N=9,341) say that they are aware of the
government's anti-drug campaign.
Of those who are aware, about 81.6% (5,017 out of n=6,149) either agree (33.6% or 2,066
out of n=6,149) or strongly agree (48.0% or 2,951 out of n=6,149) to the government's
anti-drug campaign.
Significantly, those who are aware of the government's anti-drug campaign opine that the
current drug situation under the present administration has slightly improved (34.7% or
2,133 out of n=6,149) to greatly improved (45.5% or 2,798 out of n=6,149).
26
3Conclusions
The internet is an emerging medium
for awareness on dangerous drugs and
substances.
27
4Recommendations
The government has been successful in
informing the public and making them
understand the perils of drug abuse.
THERE IS A NEED
However, there is a need to address the TO ADDRESS
identified triggers/gateways that lead one
to drug experimentation. The progression
THE IDENTIFIED
to drug use continues unless the bud TRIGGERS/
(smoking/alcohol drinking) is deterred at a
young age. This is a youth problem that GATEWAYS THAT
requires a whole-of-nation approach. LEAD ONE TO DRUG
In the light of the foregoing findings, the EXPERIMENTATION
following are hereby recommended.
28
For the Local Government Units to: Other Recommendations
29
In accordance with the whole-of-nation
approach, the government should
involve the private sector, non-
government organizations, faith-based
groups, and other stakeholders in the
overall campaign against drugs.
30
The 2019 National Household Survey on
the Patterns and Trends of Drug Abuse
(2019 Drug Survey) is conducted in
collaboration with the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and
I-Metrics Asia Pacific Corporation.