Drugs are a chief social problem and are inseparably connected to major socio-economic issues. Current drug policies are considered inadequate while return of investments for the government are not always the best. Policy makers are unable to make informed decisions about dealing with drug problems mainly because they do not have adequate approach or models to assist them, combined with the fact that drug policy is politicized and complicated.
This research aimed to come up with the most prevalent challenges, experienced by Drug Operatives and as articulated by trial courts in the enforcement of the drug law. It employed the qualitative descriptive research design that described a phenomenon and explain it in real life scenario which would be too complex if done through surveys and experiments. Thru the use of hows and whys the researcher was able to establish an extensive study concerning the features, attributes and characteristics of the phenomena.
Results of the study have shown that the operatives are faced with the following problems during illegal drug operations; a) Lack of planning and coordination between the members of the buy-best team and other operatives and/or police units; b) Problems in the documentation and affidavit making; c) Inability of the operative to accurately recall information pertaining to the case during court hearing; and d) Lack of familiarization of the rules and procedures laid down in R.A 9165 among the operatives. Results have also shown that according to Trial Court decisions, operatives commit the following lapses; a) Violation in the Marketing Requirement, the inventory and photography requirement vis-à-vis the chain of custody Rule, b) The buy-bust team failed to comply with the three-witness-rule.
Of the recommendations, the best policy intervention to cater to the needs of the Drug Operatives in the context of Baguio, Benguet, and Cordillera in general is the Integration of a Structured Mentoring Program within the Project vis-à-vis Organizational Strengthening. The Project Double Barrel as a policy has been in effect for more than four years and it would be safe to assume that there are drug operatives who have developed a high degree of understanding and expertise of its rules and procedures. As like most policies, the Project Double Barrel is a good law but the failure in its implementation lies among its front liners. As such, integrating a mentoring program will ensure the fastest way by which new operatives (mentees) can learn valuable knowledge from the mentor’s expertise and past mistakes and competencies can be strengthened in specific rules and procedures during buy-bust operations.
The other alternatives; Contextualization of the Policy and Enhance Performance Evaluation Program entails a longer time frame and financial undertaking to execute, while a Mentoring Program which requires the transfer of knowledge and skill from one operative to another can be employed almost immediately informally. Time is of the essence as the crimes related to prohibited drugs still prevail. This means that the faster by which operatives acquire the needed understanding and skills needed for the job, the lesser problems they encounter and lapses they commit in pursuing and arresting illegal drug suspects.