Assessment, capabilities, illegal drugs, PNP Drug Enforcement Group.   

The thrust of the present administration Is the eradication of all forms of illegal drugs. The drug law enforcement agencies are all geared toward crushing this menace of this age. For years now since the reconstitution of PNP’s anti-drug unit, there has been a wide public interest in the central issue of whether or not the present setup or composition of framework of the Drug Enforcement Group/Unit is able perform or carry out its function. While this issue oftentimes generated public interest at times strong public opinion and clamor. The composition of the Drug Enforcement Unit has been placed by the PNP on its shoulders. Notably, the unit lacks manpower, resources, and skill are generally subjected to public opinion. Despite this, no study was ever conducted to test or assess the capability of the unit. Otherwise stated, no data was ever presented to show the necessity, beneficence, and practicability of this present group.

Thus, the study aims to explore and asses the capability of PNP Drug Enforcement Units in carrying out its function. The researcher used a Qualitative exploratory method to establish an understanding about PNP Drug Enforcement Group. The respondents of the study were members of PNP Drug Enforcement Group assigned in the national, regional, or the provincial units; regional directors or members of the command groups and have voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Researcher used purposive sampling in choosing the respondents and analyzing was guided by the interview questions and themes were derived and analyzed, falling into four (4) main themes: a) the dilemma of understaffing. b) insufficiency leads to decrease in productivity, c) room for improvement and d) professional development pathways

Lastly, the study recommended to address the issue of understaffing by amending the legal framework of PNP DEG, improve working condition by providing equipment, balance of manpower and government funding, continuous police-community relations and provide trainings that will contribute the professional development of each PNP DEG members.