Juvenile Drug Involvement in Digos City: Profiles, Perceptions of Legal Consequences, and Underlying Causes and Effects

This study aims to determine the profiles and characteristics of the problem, explore how minors perceive the legal consequences of their involvement in drug-related activities, and describe the causes and effects of juvenile drug-related delinquency in Digos City through a qualitative approach. The researchers collected insights through one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with key individuals familiar with the situation. Official records from the Digos City Police Station and local barangay peace and order councils from 2019 to 2024 were thoroughly reviewed to strengthen the findings. Thematic analysis was used to organize and interpret the data. Findings reveal that Zone 1 Digos City was reported to have 2 cases in the year 2022, with school dropout status. This contributes to the commission of other crimes, such as theft, rape, and physical violence, which results to increased fear, violence, and a breakdown in public confidence. The findings also pointed to a concerning gap in legal awareness among minors involved in drug-related incidents in Digos City. Many participants recognized the risk of police apprehension, but their grasp of legal procedures and minors’ rights was limited and inconsistent. Several participants shared that conversations about the law were rarely held at home, reflecting a broader lack of parental guidance and community-level legal education. Based on the problem tree analysis, the root causes of juvenile drug-related delinquency in Digos City include parental absence and weak family monitoring, which reduce emotional support and guidance during critical developmental years. The researchers call for a strengthened, city-wide multi-agency intervention focused on legal literacy, family education, and expanded access to rehabilitation and mental health services. Strengthening the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and offering hands-on skills training for out-of-school youth must be a top agenda. Just as vital are programs that engage young people in sports, sustainable livelihood opportunities, and the creation of discreet and secure channels for reporting delicate or personal concerns.