Outline of the Project

Title

The Project for Introducing Evidence-based Relapse Prevention Programs to Drug Dependence Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers in the Philippines (IntERlaPP)

Country

Philippines

Date of R/D Signed

December 20, 2017

Term of Cooperation

From December 20, 2017 until June 19, 2024

Counterpart

Implementing Organization: Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program (DDAPTP), Department of Health (DOH)

Background

In 2016, the Government of the Philippines (hereinafter referred to as "GOP") launched a nationwide campaign to eliminate illegal drug use, entitled "Operation Tokhang". In the wake of this national campaign, more than a million drug users surrendered to the authorities to seek for treatment and social support. The unprecedented demand for drug dependence treatment services highlighted the capacity gaps of the existing treatment and rehabilitation centers (hereinafter referred to as "TRCs") for drug dependents.

In response, the President issued an official order, entitled "Executive Order No.04: Providing for the Establishment and Support of Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers Throughout the Philippines", to address the capacity gaps of the TRCs. This order resulted in establishment of an Inter-Agency Task Force for the Establishment and Support of Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers throughout the Country.

DOH, being the vice-chair of the aforementioned Inter-Agency Task Force as well as the agency that exercises jurisdiction over 14 DOH-owned TRCs in the country, has led the process of implementing the President's order. DOH particularly has taken charge of developing plans and mobilizing financial resources for construction of new TRCs.

On the other hand, the need to revisit the existing treatment and rehabilitation programs provided at TRCs has been pronounced among local and international experts. GOP has also recognized the necessity to introduce an effective relapse prevention program to the TRCs.

To address these issues, GOP requested the Government of Japan for technical cooperation in introducing evidence-based relapse prevention programs to TRCs and thereby strengthening the capacity of GOP to effectively delivery drug dependence treatment and rehabilitation services.

"Treatment and Rehabilitation" is positioned as one of a program to thrust "Drug Demand Reduction Strategy" among the five strategic pillars listed in the "National Anti-Drug Plan of Action 2015-2020". This project contributes to this Action Plan in terms of strengthening the capacity of service providers of drug dependence treatment and rehabilitation program.

In the "Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022", it is stated that illegal drug measures are the priority policies of the current administration. This project contributes to solving the challenges related to the treatment and rehabilitation program by adapting public health approach intervention.

Project summary

Duration of the project and project years
From December 20, 2017 until December 19, 2022 (five years)

Overall goal
Well-being of drug users discharged from treatment and rehabilitation facilities is improved in the Philippines.

Project purpose: GOP's capacity to effectively deliver facility-based drug dependence treatment and rehabilitation services is strengthened.

Expected outputs and activities for each output

Output 1. A relapse prevention model (Philippine Matrix Program) and a training system are established for its nationwide dissemination.

Objectively Verifiable Indicators

1.1.	The Philippine Matrix Program is introduced to five DOH-run TRCs (two pilot TRCs and three additional TRCs for the training module validation) by October 2020.
1.2.	Endorsed training modules of the Philippine Matrix Program are in place by December 2020; the training modules are composed of a workbook for patients in Filipino and other local languages, guidelines for service providers including standardized protocols of program sessions a training guide for master trainers including a fidelity checklist and post-training performance monitoring procedures.
1.3.	A plan for dissemination of the Philippine Matrix Program is in place by December 2020.
1.4.	A plan for post-training performance monitoring is in place by December 2020.
1.5.	A report indicating needs, scope, cost estimate, and feasibility for constructing a training center at TRC Bicutan is developed by March 2018.

Output 2. The Philippine Matrix Program's effectiveness is demonstrated by scientific researches based on strengthened research capacity of GOP.

Objectively Verifiable Indicators

2.1.	Validated drug dependence assessment tools for newly admitted patients is in place by December 2018.
2.2.	Validated psychometric instruments to evaluate effectiveness of drug dependence treatment programs are in place by December 2018.
2.3.	Reports or draft research papers that demonstrate the Philippine Matrix Program's effectiveness are prepared by December 2020.

Output 3. DOH's capacity in M&E of treatment and rehabilitation services for drug dependents is strengthened.

Objectively Verifiable Indicators

3.1.	An endorsed document that defines the M&E framework for services provided at TRCs is in place by March 2019*.
3.2.	An endorsed M&E framework document that incorporates the implementation rules of the routine fidelity check of the Philippine Matrix Program session is in place by December 2021.
3.3.	DOH's M&E reports are available from the fiscal year 2022 onward.

Project Activities to achieve Output 1

1-1.	Develop a prototype Philippine Matrix Program (a workbook for patients in Filipino and other local languages, protocols of program sessions, and a fidelity checklist) that is socially acceptable and culturally adaptable
1-2.	Introduce the prototype Philippine Matrix Program to the pilot TRCs and assess its applicability
1-3.	Develop draft training modules on the Philippine Matrix Program
1-4.	Validate the draft training modules through their application in three additional TRCs
1-5.	Finalize the training modules for their official endorsement by DOH
1-6.	Develop a plan for dissemination of the Philippine Matrix Program to all government TRCs and a plan for post-training performance monitoring
1-7.	Identify needs and assess feasibility to establish National Training Center of Excellence for drug dependence treatment providers at TRC Bicutan

Project Activities to achieve Output 2

2-1.	Develop an overall research design document to evaluate the Philippine Matrix Program's effectiveness taking into consideration of results of local researches that highlight socially acceptable and culturally adaptable approaches
2-2.	Develop psychometrically-sound tools for drug dependence assessment of patients newly admitted to TRCs
2-3.	Develop psychometric instruments to evaluate effectiveness of drug dependence treatment programs
2-4.	Conduct data collection to evaluate the prototype Philippine Matrix Program (to be conducted in conjunction with Activity 1.2.)
2-5.	Conduct data collection to evaluate the training system of the Philippine Matrix Program (to be conducted in conjunction with Activity 1.4.)
2-6.	Conduct data analysis and disseminate findings to stakeholders in the Philippines and global research communities

Project Activities to achieve Output 3

3-1.	Develop a document that defines the M&E framework (i.e. indicators, reporting rules, and organizations of review forums)
3-2.	Incorporate the implementation rules of the routine fidelity check of the Philippine Matrix Program sessions conducted at TRCs into the M&E framework
3-3.	Facilitate the M&E activities according to its framework at the regional and central levels

Project area and project sites

DOH-owned TRCs in the Philippines

(Pilot Phase I: TRC-Bicutan and TRC-Tagaytay; Pilot Phase II: three additional TRCs)

*Establishment of the M&E framework of services provided at TRCs is part of the policy actions defined under the Japanese government's Grant-Aid Program for Consolidated Rehabilitation of Illegal Drug Users. Activities under this technical cooperation project will be conducted in coordination with initiatives under the said Grant Aid.

Inputs

Japanese side

1. Experts:
   - Chief Advisor
   - Project Coordinator
   - Experts in specific fields
2. Counterpart training in Japan and third countries
3. Provision of equipment necessary for Project activities.
4. Operational expenses necessary for implementing Project activities (e.g. printing materials, conducting training, workshop expense, etc.)

Philippines side

1. Assignment of counterpart personnel
2. Suitable office space for the Project Team with necessary equipment
3. Running expenses necessary for implementation of the Project
4. Travel allowances for Project members on the Philippines side for official travel within the Philippines
5. Available data and information related to the Project activities

Important assumptions

• The Philippine government's political and economic direction toward supporting the illegal drug prevention is not significantly changed.
• Introduction of the new treatment modalities to TRCs is not opposed by any influential parties.