STATISTICAL ANALYSIS 

CY 2024 

In 2024, eighty-eight (88) Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers (DATRCs) reported to the Treatment and Rehabilitation Admission Information System (TRAIS). Seventy- six (76) are residential, and twelve (12) are outpatient.

These reporting facilities recorded six thousand five hundred fifty-four (6,554) admissions. Of these numbers, five thousand five hundred thirty-seven (5,537) are new admissions, one hundred eleven (111) are readmitted, or relapse cases and nine hundred six (906) are outpatients.

Compared with the previous year’s cases, an eighteen percent (18.18%) increase in admission was noted. The increase in admission can be attributed to the continuous improvement of the implementation of programs for Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs), the holistic approach that assists them in gaining access to appropriate intervention, the different advocacy programs implemented by various sectors that encourage PWUDs to seek help and undergo treatment and rehabilitation.

Demographic profile

The center’s admissions report shows that 91.43% of the individuals are male, approximately 7.75% are female, and less than 0.82% identify as LGBT. The male-to-female ratio remains at 12:1, consistent with previous years. The higher number of males in rehabilitation facilities may be attributed to societal pressures and the expectation to appear tough, which, coupled with financial stress, can lead to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.

Drug abuse does not affect only men but women as well. An intensified advocacy campaign should also be undertaken to encourage more female PWUDs to seek appropriate treatment interventions.

For the year under review, the youngest admission is 12, while the eldest is 76. Most of the admissions belong to the age group of 40 and above, with around thirty-four percent (33.95%) of the reported cases. The computed mean and median are 34 years old.

More than half (52.87%) are single, and about a fourth (24.38%) are married; those who have live-in partners comprised nineteen percent (19.10%), and the rest, approximately four percent (3.65%) are either widow/er, separated, divorced, or annulled.

As to educational attainment, almost a third (27.80%) have attained high school. On the second spot are those who have reached college, with nineteen percent (19.44%), followed by those who have graduated high school, with seventeen percent (17.41%).

The monthly family income is approximately thirteen thousand pesos (Php 13,287.61) or about two hundred twenty-nine US dollars (US$229.04).

Regarding employment status, those employed (either workers/employees or people in business and self-employed) comprised fifty-eight percent (58.25%), while unemployed comprised thirty-eight percent (37.53%). Three percent (3.19%) of the admissions constitute students, and less than one percent (0.81%) are out-of-school youth, while a few (0.21%) are pensioners. Emphasis should be placed on the campaign for drug-free workplaces.

Around twenty-seven percent (26.64%) of reported cases are residents of the National Capital Region, while thirteen percent (12.9073%) are from Region III.

Considering the age at first drug use, forty percent (40.08%) belong to ages 15 to 19 years old. Forty percent (39.99%) admitted to having taken drugs two (2) to five (5) times a week, twenty-three percent (23.27%) monthly, and twenty percent (20.17%) weekly.

Most Commonly Abused Drugs

Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or “Shabu” remains the leading drug of abuse, comprising around ninety-four percent (93.65%) of the total admissions. This is followed by Cannabis (Marijuana) at twenty-five percent (24.96%) and on the third by Cocaine at less than one percent (0.53%). It seems that cocaine, as a local drug of abuse, is gaining popularity, as supported by the increase in seizures by our drug law enforcers, which tends to show that there is a demand within the illicit local market. The haul included methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, marijuana, ecstasy, and cocaine in 2024.

Mono-drug use remains to be the nature of drug-taking; the administration routes are inhalation/sniffing and oral ingestion.