Restoring the Sanctity and Dignity of Life Among Low-Risk Drug User Surrenderers

Neilia Ramirez; Noel Santander; Kim Guia

doi:10.58870/berj.v4i1.6

Authors

Neilia Ramirez College of Arts and Sciences, San Beda University, Manila
Noel Santander College of Arts and Sciences, San Beda University, Manila https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0222-5673
Kim Guia College of Arts and Sciences San Beda University, Manila https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6381-3655

Keywords:

Sanctity and dignity of life, Drug Rehabilitation Program, Appreciative Inquiry, low-risk drug-users, Restorative Justice

Abstract

The proponents of this research developed their interests to look into every good points a community-based relapse prevention program being implemented by a particular local community among low-risk drug-users surrenderers. This included appreciating the design of the program and how it impacted the participants and the community of Barangay Salapan, San Juan City. All these being viewed from the underlying principles of restorative justice, in the pursuit of describing how the sanctity and dignity of human life is being restored using the five stages of appreciative inquiry as method of analysis. The rehabilitation program being implemented by the local community and supported by the local government provided a silver lining for the victims of the prohibited drugs. Initially, it helped redeem their lost personal sense of dignity, social respect and acceptance, and become a productive and significant individual members of their particular families and their beloved community. It was emphasized that the restoration of the sanctity and dignity of life demands greater openness, volunteerism, respect sincerity and discipline from each of the persons involved in the rehabilitation program. It was noted also that all the sectors of the local community should be united and unselfishly support the program regardless of political color or affiliation, religious background, economic interests and social biases, so that the sacredness and dignity of life which is very primal as a value will be constructively attained.

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