NOTES FOR SOCIAL PROBLEM

A social problem is any condition or behavior that has negative consequences for large numbers of people and that is
generally recognized as a condition or behavior that needs to be addressed.

Whether social problems emerge as issues of social justice or social order, they are usually associated with
the idea that ‘something must be done’. Social problems represent conditions that should not be allowed to
continue because they are perceived to be problems for society, requiring society to react to them and find
remedies.

10 COMMON SOCIAL PROBLEMS

A. DRUG ADDICTION
B. PROSTITUTION
C. GRAFT & CORRUPTION
D. STREET CHILDREN
E. GAMBLING
F. FAKE RECRUITEMENT
G. RAPE
H. RED TAPE
I. ROBBERY
J. PRE-MARITAL RELATION
K. BEGGING

A. DRUG ADDICTION

Addiction is a lot like other diseases, such as heart disease. Both disrupt the normal,
healthy functioning of an organ in the body, both have serious harmful effects, and both are, in
many cases, preventable and treatable. If left untreated, they can last a lifetime and may lead to
death.

DRUG ADDICTION AS SOCIAL PROBLEM

A common misconception surrounding drug addiction is that it solely affects the life of the user. However, the
idea that they aren’t hurting anyone except for themselves is an excuse that many individuals who abuse drugs
use in order to justify their addiction.

Effects of Drug Addiction

At first glance, a drug addiction may appear to only affect the person who is using. However, because
addiction is a destructive issue that can have an adverse effect on the community, family, and individual.
An individual neglecting their responsibilities as a result of drugs can negatively affect their career, children’s
education, or family’s financial security. Their impact can also extend outside of the immediate family. Friends
or community members who rely on their presence or companionship can suffer from their absence.

The Connection Between Addiction and Crime

There is a definitive link between crime and drug addictions that is mainly contributed to the illegal
status of commonly abused drugs. Not only is it illegal to carry many of these drugs but an individual’s
lowered inhibitions when under the influence can encourage them to commit other crimes.
 drug users are more likely than nonusers to commit crime. Petty theft in order to obtain drugs and
quench their cravings when desperate is another way in which drugs influence individuals to commit
crimes.
Drug Addiction Affects Every Organ in the Body
Aside from overdose, there are many adverse medical effects of drug addiction. These include:
 Cardiovascular disease
 Contraction of HIV, hepatitis and other illnesses
 Heart rate irregularities, heart attack
 Respiratory problems such as lung cancer, emphysema, and breathing problems
 Abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea
 Kidney and liver damage
 Seizures, stroke, brain damage
 changes in appetite, body temperature, and sleeping patterns
 Stroke
 Pancreatitis
 Gastrointestinal problems
 Malnutrition
 Insomnia and sleep disorders

Why do some people become addicted to drugs, while others do not?

As with other diseases and disorders, the likelihood of developing an addiction differs from person to person, and
no single factor determines whether a person will become addicted to drugs. In general, the more risk factors  a
person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs will lead to drug use and addiction. Protective factors,  on the
other hand, reduce a person's risk. Risk and protective factors may be either environmental or biological.

Individuals struggling with drug addiction often feel as though they cannot function normally
without their drug of choice. This can lead to a wide range of issues that impact professional goals,
personal relationships, and overall health. Over time, these serious side effects can be progressive,
and if left untreated, fatal.

Commonly Used Illegal Drugs

Drugs are classified in a number of ways. Many are potentially addictive and harmful. Examples of illegal
drugs include:
  Heroin
 Cocaine or crack cocaine
 Methamphetamine hydrochloride/ “ shabu” shabu allows the youths to stay awake and work
at night, gives them energy, alleviates their hunger, and provides them with moments
of euphoria amid their difficult lives.
 Ecstacy
 Marijuana
 Lsd

Integrated Treatment Is Key to Treating Drug Addiction

Integrated treatment is comprehensive programming that offers all of the therapeutic resources necessary
to help the individual heal physically, mentally, and spiritually.

There is No Cure for Addiction, But People Can and Do Recover

While there is no cure for any mental health disorder, including drug addiction, but many go on to lead
incredible lives filled with hope and courage. Numerous research-based therapies and treatment
interventions have been proven to be effective in treating those who are living with drug addiction. The key
is receiving personalized treatment that is intensive and integrated. When long-term support, as well as
therapeutic and spiritual interventions are applied, people struggling to overcome addiction do recover.
Mental, physical, and spiritual wellness is central to recovery.

The scary

Most drug users develop their substance abuse in their teens. In the Philippines alone, nearly half of drug
abuse cases reportedly start from 15 to 19 years old, the Dangerous Drugs Board says.

Access to prescription medication at home and to illicit drugs on the street has been an entry point into the
habit for some. In fact, about 50% of all teens experiment with drugs at least once in their life because of
easy access to substances, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Some teens may end up trying different drugs out of curiosity, peer pressure, mental health problems,
social isolation, permissive parenting and the absence of strict measures and support programs designed
to help teens stay clean.
 
As a result, they may end up becoming addicted later on in life. Thus, it is important for parents, the
school and the community to recognize the warning signs and intervene early on to prevent drug abuse
from turning into an addiction.

The infographic below sheds light on teenage drug abuse – from the risk factors to the consequences, to
the proper way of helping those in trouble.
Government Monitoring of Prostitute in the Philippines
 Dr. Jose Florante J. Leyson wrote in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality: Although prostitution is still illegal, Filipino
society believes that some regulation is always needed, based on the premise that prostitution is regulated in order
to minimize the damage to society. Local city councils may require filing an application with the city to establish a
brothel, indicating the location for legal reasons and/or tax purposes. Local authorities may also restrict brothels to
certain areas and regulate any signs that would identify it as a brothel. Prostitutes cannot reside anywhere other
than at the brothel itself, which is her official domicile. Brothels also have to have a bedroom for each working
woman. The women cannot show themselves at the balconies or in a window, nor can they solicit in the streets. In
order to work in a brothel, a woman has to register with the sanitaryhealth authorities (Bureau of Health). The
authorities will check whether she is a victim of deceit or coercion and advise her that help and assistance is
available from legal authorities. [Source: Jose Florante J. Leyson, M.D., Encyclopedia of Sexuality [Link]-
[Link]/sexology, 2001 |~|]
 Each prostitute is given a “sanitary notebook” with her picture, personal data, registration number (if any), and the
main articles of the decree that concern her rights as a provider of a service. Her rights include being free to stay or
quit the brothel in which she lives and works, debts cannot be used to compel her to stay in a given brothel, and no
one can subject her to any abuse. Each prostitute has to undergo mandatory monthly medical examinations for
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If an STD is diagnosed, the brothel pays for medical treatment. The sex
worker must show her sanitary notebook to any customer that asks to see it. The manager of the brothel cannot
accept any “prostitute-candidate” or applicant who has not first registered and passed a medical examination. The
manager also has to report immediately to the sanitary authorities whenever a prostitute is ill, be this an STD or non-
sexual disease. |~|
 It is easy to imagine the rampant corruption that this naive attempt to protect customers and suppliers of contractual
sex alike has produced. Police protection is bought, violations are ignored, and politicians and judges are bribed,
often on the pretext of protecting the free practice of a fully consensual sex by the client and sex worker. In reality,
this law and its application or lack thereof does little to protect the health of the women and their clients. The women
have no protection from customers already infected. The prostitutes can request that their clients wear condoms, but
cannot demand the performance of safe sex practices. The clients are not subject to compulsory medical “control,”
and many may be infected but not show any symptoms while others suffer in silence and continue practicing unsafe
sex with other prostitutes, lovers, and even wives.
Why is prostitution become a social problem?

Sex workers, are exposed to a variety serious risks, including sexually transmitted diseases,

1. SPECIFIC TYPES OF CORRUPTION IN THE PHILIPPINES There are 8 types of corruption frequently
practiced in the Philippines, namely: 1. Tax evasion 2. Ghost projects & payrolls 3. Evasion of public bidding
in awarding of contracts 4. Passing of contracts 5. Nepotism & favouritism 6. Extortion 7. Protection Money
8. Bribery
2. 7. TAX EVASION This is very rampant, particularly in the private sector/private individual due to the refusal
of those engaged in private businesses to honestly declare their annual income and to pay the
corresponding taxes to the government.
3. 8. GHOST PROJECTS & PAYROLLS This is done by high officials of the government whereby non-existing
projects are financed by the government while non-existing personnel or pensioners are being paid salaries
& allowances. This practice is rampant in government agencies involved in formulation and implementation
of programs & projects particularly in infrastructure and in the granting of salaries, allowances and pension
benefits.
4. 9. EVASION OF PUBLIC BIDDING IN THE AWARDING OF CONTRACTS Government offices, particularly
Bids & Awards Committees ( BAC) forego the awarding of contracts through public bidding or award these
contracts to favored business enterprises or contractors. Sometimes, members of bids and awards
committees are very subjective of awarding the contract to those who can provide them with personal
benefits.
5. 10. PASSING OF CONTRACTS In the construction of infrastructure projects, contractors have the practice
of passing the work from one contractor to another and in the process certain percentage of the project
value is retained by each contractor and sub- contractors resulting to the use of substandard materials or
even unfinished projects.
 6. 11. NEPOTISM AND FAVORITISM Government officials particularly those occupying high positions tend to
cause the appointment or employment of relatives and close friends to government positions even if they are
not qualified or eligible to discharge the functions of that office. This is one of the root causes of inefficiency
and the overflowing of government employees in the bureaucracy.

7. 12. EXTORTION This is done by government officials against their clients by demanding money, valuable
items, or services from ordinary citizens who transact business with them or their office. This is rampant in
agencies issuing clearances, and other documents, those involved in the recruitment of personnel, or those
performing services that directly favor ordinary citizens.
8. 13. “TONG” OR PROTECTION MONEY This is form of bribery which is done by citizens performing illegal
activities and operations. They deliver huge amount of money to government officials particularly those in-
charge of enforcing the law in exchange for unhampered illegal operation. The law enforcement officer who
receives the money will be duty – bound to protect the citizen concerned together with his illegal activities
from other law enforcement authorities. This is practiced mostly by gambling lords and those engaged in
business without the necessary permits.

14. “LAGAY” SYSTEM OR BRIBERY The “lagay” system or the act of citizens to bribe government officials
occupying sensitive positions in government is perpetuated due to bureaucratic red tape. The most frequently
employed method is offering a considerable amount of money to a government official who can facilitate the
issuance of the desired documents in agencies issuing licenses, permits, clearances,

Organisational impacts of corruption

 financial loss
 damage to employee morale
 damage to organisation's reputation
 organisational focus and resources diverted away from delivering core business and services to the community
 increased scrutiny, oversight and regulation.
Individual impacts of corruption
 disciplinary action
 termination of employment
 criminal charges
 may affect relationships with family, friends and colleagues.
Community impacts of corruption
 wasted taxpayer funds
 loss of goods and services
 lower community confidence in public authorities
Homeless Children
Homeless children are among the most vulnerable of the homeless in the Philippines. There are approximately 250,000
homeless children; however, that number could be as high as 1 million. Children leave home and end up on the streets
because of the excessive beating from their parents, poverty or sexual exploitation.
When children are on the streets, they can face problems such as sexual exploitation, abuse and prostitution. Although
victims of circumstances beyond their control, children who live on the street are often viewed as criminals or future
criminals resulting in discrimination from the police. Additionally, to numb their pain and their hunger, some children may
turn to drugs. Both the external and internal factors that children face make it very difficult for them to escape the street
life.

Addressing Homelessness in the Philippines

The government, NGOs and religious institutions are working help the homeless. Government programs include the
Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families program (MCCT-HSF). This program provides financial
support, such as housing grants and funding for health and education, to homeless families in Metro Manila.
To help street children, ASMAE-Philippines travels the streets of Manila to teach kids on the basics of hygiene. The
organization also provides children with school support, as well as supporting other NGOs in the area. Kanlungan sa ER-
MA Ministry, Inc. is another organization that works to educate street children, though projects that teach children about
hard work while providing them with an income.

Although the government and NGOs have made efforts to help the homeless population, much more still needs to be
done. Moving forward, these initiatives need to be increased in order to significantly reduce homelessness in the nation.

Online Gambling[edit]
Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, commonly referred to as POGOs, provide a variety of online gaming
services to customers outside the Philippines. POGOs must be registered and licensed by PAGCOR. Online
gambling is not available to customers based in the Philippines and websites of such firms are blocked. Registered
POGOs in the Philippines have grown rapidly by targeting Chinese customers and employing Chinese staff. POGOs
were first licensed to operate in the Philippines in 2016 coinciding with a period of tighter regulation of casino activity
in the Special Autonomous Region of Macau. Online gambling remains illegal under Chinese law, but as of June
2019, there were 56 licensed POGOs and an estimated workforce of over 100,000 Chinese citizens in Manila
working in this sector.
President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte stated that he would seek to close all online gaming firms in the country
in 2016.[17] However, this statement was followed by a clarification that only those online gambling firms that weren't
handled and licensed by PAGCOR were to be closed and considered illegal. Those gambling firms online that are
handled and licensed by PAGCOR are legal under Philippine law,. Some online gambling firms under PAGCOR
include PhilWeb and DFNN.[18] Online gambling entails typical gambling games like poker, blackjack, and roulette but
facilitated by a virtual dealer or televised dealer accessed via an online connection.