Costs and Benefits of Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation in the Philippines

In 2016, the Philippine government’s war on drugs led to over one million persons who use drugs (PWUDs) surrendering for treatment. The government declared that 90% of PWUDs, who were low and moderate risk, could be treated through Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation (CBDR). Although there have been evaluations of the impact of CBDR programs, no cost-benefit analysis has been conducted in the Philippines. This study addresses the scarcity of research on CBDR’s costs and benefits in developing economies. It focused on 12 local government units (LGUs) from six regions in the Philippines. Interviews with program managers, service providers, and clients were conducted to elicit costs and benefits. The budgets of LGUs for CBDR for fiscal years 2020-2022 were examined. Secondary reports and literature were reviewed to determine valuation assumptions. Results show that CBDR’s costs were 12-16% of the cost of inpatient treatment. The cost-benefit ratio indicated that for every peso spent by the LGU, the benefits due to savings amount to P4.40. Clients and service providers also reported intangible benefits such as decreased drug use, increased confidence, and a more positive outlook. Other benefits reported were improvements in family relations, decreased stigma, access to services and employment, and non-interference with education or employment. For LGUs, the investment in CBDR makes economic sense, showing that CBDR is a viable alternative to inpatient treatment, at least for low and moderate risk users. However, challenges to sustainability include resource constraints and the need for integration with health services. Future