Paradigms and practices in the enforcement of drug law: work narratives of heads of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Unit (PNP-DEU), Cebu City, Philippines

Abstract

The Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) plays a crucial role in the local implementation of drug laws. As a specialized unit within local law enforcement agencies, the DEU is equipped with the necessary expertise and resources to investigate drug-related crimes and apprehend drug suspects. The DEU's intimate knowledge of local communities and its ability to build relationships with informants are essential for identifying drug hotspots and disrupting drug trafficking activities. In effectively carrying out its mandate, the DEU helps to reduce the prevalence of drug use and trafficking within its jurisdiction, contributing to the overall drug control efforts in the Philippines. The findings of this study are articulated through eight emergent themes, which describe both the positive and negative experiences of the informants. Positive experiences were represented by themes such as "From Unlawful to Upright" and “From Shadow to Light". Negative experiences were captured by themes like "A Badge of Honor is A Badge of Terror" and "Unseen Forces a Shadow of Horror". The challenges encountered by the informants in the performance of their duties were reflected in themes such as "Facing Challenges in the Legal Process" and "Inter-Agency Cooperation". Finally, aspirations of the informants to improve the enforcement of drug laws were expressed in themes like "Protection for the Guardian" and "Sustained Implementation for a Better Future".The study suggests the Philippine National Police should prioritize investing in state-of-the-art technology for surveillance and intelligence gathering, incorporating a community-centric approach to drug prevention and rehabilitation, and aligning its drug enforcement strategies with the national drug prevention policy.