Psychosocial treatment for incarcerated methamphetamine users: The Philippine experience

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate a psychosocial treatment program for prisoners incarcerated because of methamphetamine use. It compared the outcomes of prisoners who received the program while incarcerated, those who were released and received the treatment as part of community-based drug recovery program and a waitlist-control group (WC) with no treatment. Design/methodology/approach A quasi-experimental design was use with pre- and post-test surveys administered to three groups: a WC group, a pre-release treatment-while-incarcerated (TWI) group, and a post-release outpatient treatment group (OP). Surveys measured recovery skills, life skills and substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms were administered before and after the intervention. Findings Results revealed that at baseline OP and TWI had significant higher recovery skills compared to WC group. However, in terms of life skills, there was no significant difference observed among the WC, OP and TWI group at baseline. TWI had a significantly lower number of SUD symptoms compared to the WC group at baseline. As hypothesized, findings revealed significant changes in recovery and life skills among the OP and TWI group compared to the WC group. No significant change in SUD scores were observed for all groups. Research limitations/implications A major limitation of the study was the use of a quasi-experimental design because legal issues did not allow a randomized control trial. Future research using randomized controlled trial designs would provide more robust conclusions on the impact of the intervention. The study design was also limited to pre- and post-evaluation. Further studies are encouraged to look at longitudinal outcomes of appears on SUD symptoms and possibility of relapse. Practical implications Given that there were no significant differences in outcomes between OP and TWI groups, results suggest that the program may serve either as a pre- or post-release program for incarcerated drug users. However, results also suggest that completion is higher when the program is used as a pre-release program. Delivering the program prior to release also reduces challenges related to attrition including conflict in schedules and the lack of resources for transportation. Social implications The study suggests the value of psychosocial treatment as opposed to punitive approaches in dealing with drug use. In particular, delivering interventions prior to release can prepare participants for problems they may encounter during reintegration and prevent recidivism. In a country where drug-related killings are on the rise, the study presents an alternate and restorative justice approach. Originality/value The study addresses a dearth in the literature on psychosocial intervention for methamphetamine users. It also fills a vacuum in studies from developing countries such as the Philippines

Evaluation of a brief online parenting training for community service providers in the Philippines

The study evaluates the effectiveness of a two-session brief online training to equip local community service providers in various regions of the Philippines to facilitate a parenting program. Three levels from Kirkpatrick's (2016) evaluation model were assessed, namely: (1) reactions, (2) learning, and (3) changes in caregiving behaviors. Results obtained from participants of the first (N = 3476) and second session (N = 1837) showed positive reactions towards the training. Relatively high levels of knowledge were observed, especially for topics focused on child and parental well-being, establishing household rules and routines, and resolving problems as a family. Exploration of parenting behavior outcomes from a select sample of service providers who were caregivers (N = 54) showed decreases in parenting stress and parental depression from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Findings of this study provide preliminary evidence on the benefits of brief online trainings on caregiver well-being and recommendations for improvements in program delivery and further research

Community-based Drug Recovery Support in the Phiippines: Implementing Katatagan Kontra droga sa Komunidad

This chapter documents the describes the process of developing a community-based drug rehabilitation (CBDR) program for moderate-risk clients. The katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad program consists of 6 modules on recovery skills; 6 modules on life skills and 3 family modules. The program was pilot-tested in Quezon City and results revealed significant decrease in substance dependence symptoms and increase in adaptive coping and psychological wellbeing. It shares the enablers of CBDR including family support; social support; spritual support; community support. It also recounts barriers to CBDR including shame and stigma; limited understanding of drug use; fragmented approach to CBDR; lack of human resources; attitudes towards monitoring and evaluation; language issues; particpant attendance; safety and security; and compliance vs voluntary treatment. Given these; recommendations include taking a holistic approach; incorporating culture in designing interventions; and continuing support through aftercare; resources; coordination; capacity building; citizen engagement; need for interventions for the youth; prevention; policy and media and advocacy

Feasibility and acceptability of a digital parent group chat intervention to prevent child and adolescent maltreatment in the Philippines

This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of MaPaChat, a parent support intervention delivered using Viber group chat to caregivers in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty caregivers of children aged 4-17 from predominantly low-income households participated in a culturally adapted version of the Parenting for Lifelong Health ParentChat programme. Feasibility was assessed by enrolment, attendance, and dropout rates. Semi-structured interviews with caregivers and programme facilitators explored programme acceptability. A single-group pre-post design was used to explore changes in child maltreatment, positive parenting, parenting stress, and other secondary outcomes. The mean attendance rate was 82% and the dropout rate was 10%. Caregivers and facilitators found the programme helpful in enhancing parenting knowledge and skills and were satisfied with the programme delivery using Viber group chat but also reported experiencing technological challenges. Pre-post comparisons suggested that the intervention has potential in reducing physical and emotional abuse and associated risk factors. The findings suggest that a parenting intervention delivered over digital group chat by trained community service providers may be a feasible and acceptable way to support caregivers in low-resource settings