A police officer processes drug suspects at a processing warehouse for drug addicts in Tondo, Manila on July 21, 2016. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA – Data from the policy and research arm of the Dangerous Drugs Board showed there was already a decrease in the number of drug users even before the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

During the House Quad Committee hearing on Wednesday, the DDB Policy Studies Research and Statistics Division presented results of its National Household Survey, beginning 2004.

The surveys aimed to estimate the number of current drug users using face to face interviews with a representative sample of the general public. 

"The survey gave us the measure of the extent of drug use and helped us understand the nature of drug use in the Philippines. On the side of policy making, the surveys help us assess and improve our current demand reduction strategies," the division officer-in-charge Rebecca Arambulo said.  

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Based on its 2004 survey, the current population of drug users stood at 6,765,773. 

A sharp decrease followed in the 2008 survey with the number falling to 1,718,855, equal to 74.59 percent. The downtrend continued in 2012, during the administration of late President Benigno Aquino III, with the number falling to 1,319,135 or a 23.25 percent. 

Lawmakers asked why there was a sharp decrease in drug users, based on their 2004 and 2008 surveys. 

"The decline of the drug statistics is best explained as outcomes of success in adopting international control frameworks and cooperation, some policy making and implementation of the national drug strategies, and a wide array of drug reduction efforts to the general public and target population," Arambulo said. 

"Key components of this include preventive education, research, treatment and rehabilitation and of course, regional and local cooperation. The implementation of the drug-free workplace program, random drug testing in schools and those securing firearms and licenses," she added. 

Before former President Rodrigo Duterte took office, the 2015 survey showed current drug users was at 1,755,654 or a 33.09 percent increase from 2012. 

"We note that the 33% increase from 1.32 million in 2012 to 1.76 million in 2015, the trend is supported by the rise in the number of admissions in the treatment and rehabilitation centers in that period. Mas nag-iincrease yung accessibility ng drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers," DDB Board Secretary Michael Miatari said.  

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DDB said drug users again dipped in 2019 at 1,675,122 (4.59 percent decrease), further going down in 2023 at 1,479,131. 

Santa Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez asked the DDB about the pronouncement of the former President on the number of drug users in the country. 

"Nung 2016, nung naupo yung former President, 1.7 million yung ating barometer ng drug users coming from 2015. Then suddenly there was a pronouncement na 4 million yung drug users sa buong Pilipinas. Pero kung titingnan yung graph niyo… 'Di ko ata makita yung 4 million?" he said.  

"The 2016 figure did not orginate from the Dangerous Drug Board national survey. The DDB only issues figures from the 2004, 2008, 2012, 2015 and 2019 surveys as our reference data," Arambulo said. 

Rep. Fernandez then asked if then DDB Chairman Benjamin Reyes was removed because of his pronouncement that there were 1.8 million drug users. 

"Yes, your honor," Arambulo responded. 

DDB told lawmakers that there is a 95 percent level of confidence established on the survey based on its methodology. The Philippine Statistics Authority said the DDB's survey underwent a clearance process. 

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DRUG WAR NOT EFFECTIVE? 

Lawmakers were surprised with the numbers of the DDB survey since thousands were killed during the Duterte administration. 

"According to your data, there was only a slight decrease of the drug users in 2019. Despite the killing of more than 30,000 during the time of the former President, the war on drugs was not effective," Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante asked. 

"As reflected, mister chair, yes po," Miatari said in response. 

Abante asked former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Wilkins Villanueva the same question. 

"Yun yung lumalabas mister chair," Villanueva answered.  

PDEA Deputy Director General Reynato Gumban answered in the affirmative when asked if he stands by the data and statistics of the DDB. 

"Nakakagulat po ... na despite the drug war from 2016, it would appear there was no tangible, acceptable difference no. No reduction in the drug users," 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said.  

Official government data reports 6,000 died from anti-drug operations, but rights groups claim it could be as many as 30,000 deaths.

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