The Fight Against Drug Menace: Experiences Of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Agents

This study delved into the experiences of Agents in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Thus, the Philippine government has waged a decades-long battle against illegal drugs. As the frontline in fighting againts drug menace this study sought answers to questions about the experiences and addressed the problems encountered and aspirations of the informants in the performance of their duties. The research employed a transcendental phenomenological research design. Furthermore, it involved ten (10) agents from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office VIII, located at Government Center Palo, Leyte : six were subjected to a focused group discussion, and four were interviewed in depth. Interviews were conducted and recorded using a smartphone application, ensuring detailed and accurate transcriptions. They were selected through the purposive sampling method and utilized a validated interview guide. The gathered data were treated through the Thematic Analysis approach. The study identified eight themes : A Fruitful Encounter, Cleaning Up the Neighborhood, In the Line of Fire, Tough Row to Hoe, Turning Challenges into Stepping Stones, Joining Forces for a Common Cause, Building an Unbreakable Fortress and Laying the Foundation for Lasting Change. These themes highlighted the importance of the that PDEA agents face numerous challenges in their roles, yet they also encounter rewarding experiences. The key themes identified in the study include the significance of their work, the dangers they face, and their efforts to overcome obstacles and collaborate with other agencies and the community.