Charting Progress: ISSUP Philippines' Contributions to Evidence-Based Drug Policy

In recent weeks, we have continued to prepare the implementation of the activities we outlined in our previous article (https://www.issup.net/knowledge-share/resources/2024-02/progress-and-promise-2024-begins-issup-philippines). Despite this, we have taken every opportunity to involve ourselves in those advocacies and activities that have emerged in the past few months. Below, we outline some of the initiatives that we are fortunate to join.

We as the ISSUP Philippine Chapter joined the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) Coalition in taking a firm stand against proposals seeking the legalization of cannabis for non-medicinal purposes. Representatives of the Chapter joined the Press Conference held last February 13, 2024. Here, we clarified our stance on the potential harm associated with the unregulated use of marijuana. The Coalition underscored the need for evidence-based policy making, especially in decisions regarding cannabis regulation. Moreover, the Coalition highlighted the societal implications of cannabis legalization, particularly its impact on vulnerable populations like pregnant women and youth. The Chapter, alongside its peer organizations in the PMA Coalition, aims to raise awareness about the risks of cannabis use and dispel misconceptions surrounding its supposed benefits through similar public communications.

Our Chapter was also invited to join the planning of the Department of Justice's Philippine Drug Summit, an initiative aimed at reviewing national drug laws through a human rights-based approach (HRBA-Drugs). Specifically, we were invited to be a part of the UN Joint Programme for Human Rights HRBA-Drugs TWG Subgroup on Sustainability, where representatives participated in presenting thematic areas and suggestions for the summit's agenda. Through this opportunity, our Chapter was appointed to oversee the intervention and recovery aspects of the summit, further solidifying our role in shaping drug policy in the country.

As part of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats - East Session, the Chapter has sent representatives to participate in Working Group 3. The Group holds a monthly meeting focusing on the improvement of public health, prevention & reduction of drug-related problems, and interventions to reroute victims of substance use disorder from punitive justice to evidence-based treatment and social integration. We have been part of these meetings since the last quarter of 2023, and the meetings have begun to shift towards the planning of concrete activities for the Chapter and Coalition to carry out.

In addition to these efforts, our Chapter has begun obtaining the necessary qualifications to become a certified technical resource for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Project. This project, aimed at enhancing the Philippines' capacity to deliver evidence-based drug treatment and rehabilitation services, represents another vector through which we are addressing substance abuse issues in the country.

As these events unfold, the ISSUP Philippines chapter remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for evidence-based approaches to substance abuse prevention and treatment, paving the way for a healthier and more resilient Filipino society.