Knowledge, Awareness, And Practices Among Persons Who Use Drugs (Pwuds) In The Community-Based Rehabilitation Program

The purpose of this study is  to assess   the  level of  knowledge on illegal drugs  and  substance awareness   on the  negative effects  of drug  use, and  practices  of  the  Persons  Who Use Drugs (PWUDs)  who joined  the  community - based rehabilitation program  in CY 2018-2019.  The participants  of the  study were   the 140   “tokhang responders” who voluntarily  surrendered   and  recorded  in the  PNP and  City  Health  Office of Valencia City for the  screening and  rehabilitation.  Moreover, this covered the ­­­­­31 barangays of Valencia City, Bukidnon.  The study utilized the descriptive-correlational and causal research design.  Majority of the PWUDs are   middle and   young adults, male,   with 5,000 and below income, and    mostly   reached high school level. The  participants   have    high knowledge on the  harmful effects of  illegal drugs  to the  body.  In contrast, they  have  moderate  knowledge   on  damage  to their  health   if used  minimally. The  drug increases   pleasure to  their  lives. The participants are  moderately  aware  on the  negative  effects  of  illegal drug use.  The  PWUDs  who joined  the  community - based  rehabilitation  have    primary  care  physicians  since  the  program was  monitored  by  the  City  Health  Office. They have   clear sense of themselves after the program.  The least practiced activities  are   online support groups, no insurance, and active plans for lingering   health problems. There is a significant   relationship between the knowledge, awareness, and practices of the PWUDs. Knowledge is the single best predictor of practices of PWUDs.

Keywords: illegal drugs, tokhang responders, harmful effects, online support groups, active plans