Urban Leadership Foundation

DRUG ADDICTION AND PROSTITUTION

by Godofredo F. Eding

Reference: Eding, G. F. (1988). Drug Addiction and Prostitution, Urban Ministry in Asia (Vol. 198-207): Asia Theological Association,.

Are you aware that many young people today between ages 12 and 20 are seeking "thrills" and "pleasure" through drugs and are destroying their lives in the process?

Can you imagine the hurt and the outcome as children ages 7 to 15 sell their bodies to survive and help their family? Did you know that our youth who are determined to pursue a higher level of education resort to the flesh trade to earn money? Drug addiction and prostitution are just two of the many problems that many countries and the body of Christ are facing. Unless we do something to protect these men and women from the clutches of the enemy, chances are the Devil will deceive and destroy thousands of lives.

The purpose of this paper is to make you aware of the seriousness of the problem and to challenge you about the urgency and the necessity of reaching out to these people in our society. Let me share these two problems separately.

Drug Addiction

Man has been experimenting for thousands of years with a variety of natural substances like alcohol in the case of Noah in Genesis 2:9, where he planted a vineyard, "and he drank of the wine, and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent." Since the time of ancient Greece, opium has been used extensively. Cannabis, coca, coffee, and tobacco have also played their parts in history.

More and more disturbed kids have been attracted to the drug world, resulting in more unhappy and dangerous behavior Increasingly younger kids have come into the scene. Individuals who are simply lesser people, with less structure, less ego, and less integration are, hence, less likely to be able to cope with the drugs.

"My peer group taught me how to take marijuana and other prohibited drugs," says a 15-year-old boy. "I took drugs to have confidence and courage to approach and get clients," an ex-prostitute testified. A Christian worker who was once a drug-dependent shared, "I belong to a well-to-do family. I tried by all means to get love and attention from my parents by being a good boy and a  model student, but they seemed to be busy. I started taking drugs with my friends, got into a lot of trouble and wanted to commit suicide."

Some, especially teenagers, due to misinformation and assurance from friends who claim to have enjoyed the "experience, " take drugs out of curiosity; while others, for the sake of "pakikisama," a Filipino value for friendship, take drugs so as to be accepted by the "barkada" or peer group. There are those who take drugs for self-confidence, or for relief of either personal, family, school or work-related problems. For many it might be for the sense of belonging to this present generation.

Drug users and dependents come from all walks of life. Added to the above reasons for dependency are to be found a poor self-image, fear, guilt, immorality, frustrations, stress, peer pressures, perverted sexual behavior and many others.

Effects of Drug Abuse

The Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) in the Philippines, which was organized in 1972, is responsible for the law enforcement, control, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, information, training, research and statistics on the drug problem. In 1986, they reported that 80% of the high school, college and out-of-school youth are users of prohibited drugs.¹ Various rehabilitation centers were encouraged to accommodate drug dependents. "Let's join hands in the fight against drug abuse" is their slogan, seeking assistance from civilian authorities, parents, and concerned citizens in bringing the drug problem to its lowest level. As the chief of the Narcotics Command said, "Since we could not eradicate drug abuse, the least we can do is to minimize it."²

Former President Marcos gave his word during the formation of this board, "This is a problem not only of our country; it is a problem of the world. It is a problem of humanity. It is a problem of man himself. It is a problem that threatens to wreck our society. It is a problem, therefore, which calls to arms every human being."

Drug dependence is a problem of the whole person - spiritual, physical, emotional and social. Once addicted, the victim sinks to a helpless state, a life of no return.

Prostitution

"A 17-year-old prostitute, making more money than she ever had before, wrote to her sister who was 15. Her sister came and got into the same business, but she was absolutely innocent and conceived at once. She asked the other girls in her club what to do, and they told her to go into the back streets of the city where an old woman does abortions. She found the old woman, who did it with a wire made out of a coat hanger and two bamboo, sticks. The 15-year-old girl got terribly infected and
died. The older sister, afraid of telling her parents, wrote that they were both working as maids in Subic Bay. She sent home money, but after two years her parents came to visit. Upon discovering that their daughter died and that the elder sister was a prostitute, they cursed her. Two weeks later, she was fired from the club because she was too old and no longer attractive to the sailors. At that time she was only 19.³ What a painful experience!

Prostitution, referred to as the "oldest profession," has been described as well-organized, professionalized, institutionalized, lucrative and growing. It existed long before the coming of Christ. It was widespread in ancient Babylon, Egypt, Greece and Rome as it was incorporated into their religious activities. "It is described most precisely by emphasizing two essential elements: (1) the exchange of money or valuable materials in return for sexual activity, and (2) the relatively indiscriminate availability of such transactions to individuals other than spouses or friends."⁴
 

The prostitution operation is mostly common in brothels, an establishment where the prostitutes generally reside, and are supervised by an older woman who has been a prostitute also. Massage parlors, sauna baths, restaurants, bars, escort services, and modelling agencies are the places where they can be found. There are those prostitutes who have their own residence, who sometimes share it with other prostitutes, and call themselves "call girls," while others are independent or free lance prostitutes. Female prostitutes are for men, while male prostitutes are for homosexuals and very seldom for older women.

Child Prostitution

The latest trend is child prostitution, with girls ages 7 to 15, and it is considered to be one of the most profitable forms of prostitution. These young girls are the target of Pedophiles, adults who are sexually attracted to children.

The exploitation of poor rural children by tourists was once exposed when police officers in Melbourne, Australia, confiscated large amounts of pornography featuring Filipino boys with Australian men, identified as members of the "Australian  Pedophile Support Group." It is believed that this group is linked with similar organizations in Britain, Denmark, Holland, West Germany, France, Singapore and the United States.⁵

The investigation that was conducted revealed that they used a prestigious relief agency called World Vision to establish the contacts. Because of this event, the sponsorship procedures by World Vision have been tightened, and the Philippine government has formed a task force to investigate the 4,000 boys in Pagsanjan involved in this sex racket.

It is estimated that there are 20,000 child prostitutes in Manila and 30,000 in Bangkok. Sri Lanka, with an estimated 4,000 children involved in prostitution, is another favorite destination for European Pedophiles. And in India, where prostitution was outlawed in 1956, little girls are still sold into bondage at an alarming rate. It is estimated that the number of minors involved in prostitution ranges from 500,000 to 2 million children.⁶

Factors that Lead to Prostitution

"My father, a debt-ridden peasant, left me at the house in the beach resort of Pattaya in return for the $240 he got," says Pen, a 13-year-old girl from Thailand, according to a reporter.⁷

Studying in an exclusive school at the age of 14, Randy became a prostitute. He is a boy with blondish looks, fair skin, pleasant voice, and he claims to be the most handsome prostitute in Cubao. He said, "My family isn't rich, but we're okay.... I have a part-time job."

A college graduate, whose ambition was to go abroad, become an American citizen and be an international fashion model, instead ended up in the red light district of Ermita. She said in her testimony, that in response to her friend's invitation, "Because she is a friend, I stayed with her, and joined her in her job. I learned to take drugs in order to approach and get a customer."

All of the above cases show the common reasons why a lot of the young generation enter into prostitution. Studies show that most of them come from poor families, broken homes, are sexually abused, and run away and become victims of sex syndicates. There are those who are encouraged by their parents, and enter into the business voluntarily. Others are forced or sold to the agents, as in the many cases in India, Thailand, the Philippines and many Third World countries.

A well-known parliament member, in her speech before the United Nations Walkers Club, noted that there are more and more people who are participating now in the continuous proliferation of child prostitution and exploitation in the Country by peddling children to hotels, travel agents, tourist guides, and even enforcers; and the saddest of all, and the most "condemnable," is the tolerance of the parents of child prostitutes themselves.⁸ The parents of these children have distorted moral values; they are blinded by the glare of dollars.

In the Philippines, the tourism industry plays a big role in this whole business. "With the new trend of sex tourism, and confronted with the prevailing survival dilemma, people have resorted to the flesh trade as their means to earn a living."⁹

What are the effects of this trade amongst the prostitutes? These prostitutes are prone to sexually transmitted diseases like herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea and the dreaded AIDS. Of course pregnancy can occur to the women prostitutes. They also become heavy drinkers, and take prohibited drugs. Criminality often develops because they are confined and isolated from normal society.

For the child prostitute, there is that physical and psychological stress which results from rendering sexual favors at their frail age. Their values are distorted, their moral judgment degraded, and their character is corrupted. This will also affect them in attaining a happy marriage because their past experience will bother them if ever they desire to leave the trade.

Christian Response

Who is to be blamed, then? Is it the unemployment due to the economic depression? The tourist industry or the law enforcers who seem to be lax, or the government leaders, ignoring the whole problem or taking it so lightly? What about the educational and spiritual orientation from the schools and churches? Or is it the parents' tolerance, lack of discipline and example of love in the home? Or the prostitutes themselves, whose moral and spiritual values have been greatly affected and influenced by the evil world system?

These all boil down to what Jesus said in Mark 7:21,22: "For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness." The root cause is as old as man himself: SIN. This means that unless the root cause is treated, no amount of rehabilitation, no matter how noble it is, will solve man's problems.

Ministry to Drug Abusers and Prostitutes

Christ for Greater Manila, in the Philippines, with its humble beginnings back in 1961, is committed to serve the local churches in the area of evangelism, discipleship and development. It has expanded to 20 different ministries, focusing on prison inmates, abandoned children, street kids, prostitutes, and out-of-school youths, to name a few.

The Camp Ministry which started in 1973 has been conducting evangelistic camps for children, youth, and whole families as well. Youth campers are mostly drug abusers or drug pushers, homosexuals or lesbians, from "live-in" families or broken homes, mostly out of school, with all kinds of vices as part of their lifestyle. In response to the drug addiction problem, camps solely for the drug users have been conducted. The development program for the youth drug user includes (1) spiritual renewal through the evangelistic camps, drug abuse seminars in schools, one-on-one evangelism, and open air meetings with the goal of winning them to the Lord; (2) discipleship programs through weekly home Bible studies and follow-up, counseling, month-long discipleship training and church referrals, as part of the nurturing process; (3) social rehabilitation services being extended, such as referrals to related institutions, crisis intervention, medical and legal assistance, and 6 to 10-month vocational training to offer tailoring and dressmaking for the girls, and carpentry, cabinet making, and metal work for boys, balanced with discipleship training, equipping them to become effective witnesses for Christ.

The Alay Pag-asa (Gift of Hope) Rescue Ministry was started in February of 1984 and caters to the street children in Metro Manila. They come from poor broken homes. They feel not only neglected, but also unloved and rejected. For them, the street offers a better option than their homes. They find themselves begging, pickpocketing, or stealing in order to survive. They have also turned to drugs and glue-sniffing. Others have had experiences with homosexual tourists, and are confirmed to have symptoms of STD. About 25% of them have blank and dull minds that could hardly comprehend even the simplest message from God's Word because of the ill effects of drugs.

This ministry has three phases. Phase 1 is the street outreaches which include singing, games, Bible studies, feeding, counseling, medical assistance, clothes distribution, camps and sportfests. Phase 2 is the Rescue Center where shelter, feeding, formal and non-formal studies, counseling, income generating activities, referrals, recreation and sports, reconciliation to families, and research services are extended. Phase 3 is a provincial home providing them with a long-term discipleship and vocational program, especially for children who do not have families to return to, and if they do, they cannot be located.

The Lighthouse Ministry, located in the red light district of Ermita, Manila, has a center open to all women prostitutes, male prostitutes, child prostitutes, pimps, tourists, vendors and passers-by. Volunteers offer friendly smiles as they serve food, do counseling, and conduct Bible studies, aside from the free literature given. Other special activities, like evangelistic outings, camps, film showings, music and drama presentations, are also part of their spiritual services.

They also have social services, such as medical and legal assistance, referrals, and case studies, aside from their visits during the day for follow-up and discipleship.

Finally is the rehabilitation program. The goal is to get victims out of the flesh trade and set up a home atmosphere where they are given special care and attention. A Rehabilitation House is provided. Vocational training, like cosmetology, hair science, dressmaking, and tailoring, is offered, plus, of course, discipleship training.


Ministry Results

The work of ministering to the total needs of drug abusers and prostitutes is not an easy task. If nothing is done to stop their plight, life for them is indeed a dead end. As we deal with the moral and social issues affecting their lives, let us remember that there is a spiritual battle involved. In 2 Corinthians 10:4 Paul wrote, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war against the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses."

"Romy is a fair-complexioned 13-year-old boy who lived on the streets for 6 years. Like many other street kids, he survived by begging and stealing. He was also a sniffer of glue and other volatile substances. One Friday afternoon, while the Alay Pag-asa team was having an outreach with other street children in the area, Romy took part.

"During March of 1985, he was invited to join in a week-long evangelistic camp attended by 82 boys and girls. While at camp, Romy prayed to receive Christ in his heart. Meanwhile, his counselor recommended his admission to the Rescue Center which was about to open. Romy was one of the original 14 residents.

"All the boys had trouble adjusting. Many times Romy was involved in quarrels as he tried to assert himself as one of the leaders. After two months, Romy and three others ran away from the center. Apparently the boys were missing the thrills and excitement of the street life. Three days later, Romy came back, this time with a younger boy. When the new boy decided to leave, Romy went with him. This time, Romy stayed away for two-and-a-half months. When he came back, he was thin, paler, with bronchitis and pneumonia. His poor condition sobered him up. He was no longer bossy and noisy as he was before. He got along with both the staff and the other boys at the center. Romy now wanted to go back to the place where he once lived, after seeing other boys being reunited with their families.

"Accompanied by a staff worker, Romy discovered his old neighborhood had changed a lot in the last six years. Hector, the staff member, thought the time had been wasted. But before going home, they stopped to pray. Not long after, Romy noticed a jeepney being used to transport school children. Driving it was his uncle! This man is married to the younger sister of Romy's father. He got the address of the center, and said he would come that evening. Later that evening, Romy was reconciled with his aunt and uncle.

"Why did Romy run away in the first place? He was the youngest in a family of five children. His parents separated because of his mother's immaturity and instability which led to her having affairs with other men. Romy's father turned to drinking while he couldn't cope with this situation. His children were given away to different relatives."¹⁰

"I am a drug addict, a drunkard and a trouble-maker. But I thank God for the people He used so that I can join the camp. Here I learn many things, including that God can forgive sinners. I am so bad, full of vices. My parents gave me up. Here I found Christ who can change me. When I go home I'll try to share with my friends how the Lord can change their lives too." He is Dante Kalaw, 25 years old. He has undergone vocational training and has worked in the maintenance department of Christ for Greater Manila for two years. He is back in his home place where he helps his local church, and at the same time is helping the family.

We do not pretend to know all the solutions, but with everyone we contact the Word of God is shared, to free them from the bondage of slavery. And we believe that He who began a good work in them will bring it to completion at the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Churches and Theological Schools
 

Discipling believers must be given priority by church leaders and teachers. Christian homes should be strengthened and should emphasize love, care, discipline and listening. Parents should know their role on how to assist in the education of their children.

The church must, by all means, inform believers about the dangers of drug addiction and prostitution by inviting church or para-church organizations involved in such ministry, and give support either by prayers, finance, or other assistance. If no such ministry exists, it is high time to move out from the four corners of your church and reach out to these people.

 

Theological schools, responsible in training and preparing Christian leaders and workers, must incorporate into their present curriculum specialized ministries for the students to consider and pray about. Training should not be limited to producing church workers only, but must allow other fields of ministry for them to engage in.

This could be done by inviting resource speakers to discuss problems and by providing a practical exposure and experience in the actual ministry. The counseling subjects offered in schools should also include techniques on how to deal with drug abusers and prostitutes.

To all Christians, especially to those in leadership positions, the Coalition of Concerned Christians in the Philippines has this appeal: "To go on spreading the life-changing Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in all its simplicity and wisdom, and with love, faith, courage, power and authority. We also urge them to couple their evangelistic preaching with their prophetic role, speaking out against all forms of immorality and ungodliness throughout the land. We must remember Christ's command to be "salt" and "light" of the world and to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 5:13ff, and Matt. 28:19,20). Our task,. however, will involve more than verbal communication; we must incarnate the message."¹¹

I would like to add development to this whole process. Yes, development starts from the person within. That is the reason we treat the very root cause rather than the symptoms. It is only Jesus who can change the lives of people. As His Word is given priority, eventually this affects their perspective in life, which means we should be ready to offer, not only spiritual guidance, but also practical help for their development. This is where a long-term rehabilitation program is needed as it is seen in the ministry of Christ for Greater Manila. Various centers should be opened with strong Biblical principles, man-powered by dedicated and mature believers sold out to this type of ministry.

Conclusion

It is very encouraging to hear unified efforts initiated by Christian women in Japan in protest against sexual exploitation and inhuman treatment of Asian women, as well as the establishment of the Women's Refuge Center in Tokyo and developmental programmes to restore the dignity of women. Christians in the Philippines, in addressing this issue, came up with a position paper and submitted it to the government authorities, and rallied against immorality in the country.

 

Awareness of what is happening around us is good. But let's not stop there. Let us be men and women of action. Yes, rehabilitation, which is a long process of restoring people back to their former capacity, takes time. This can be achieved only by faithfully sharing the gospel of Christ, discipling them and developing them to become the men and women God intended them to be.

Let us follow the example of Nehemiah who wept, mourned, fasted, prayed and said, "Send me to Judah... that I may re-build it..." and with earnest conviction said, "The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we his servants will arise and build..."


NOTES

1. Jerry Lacuarta, "Drug Abuse Rampant," in Manila Bulletin, October 2, 1986.
2. Ibid.
3. James B. Reuter, "A Play on the Child Prostitutes of Manila," in Philippine Panorama, August 25, 1985, p. 52.
4. "Prostitution," in The New Encyclopedia Brittanica, Vol.15, (USA, Encyclopedia Brittanica, Inc., 1981), pp. 75-81.
5. Ron Redmond, "Prostitution: More Asian Kids Become Victims, "in Pacific Stars And Stripes, March 14, 1984, p. 6.
6. Ibid. 7. Marcia Kunstel and Joseph Albright, "Thailand Is Tradition of Shame, "in Austin American-Sta ternan, June 25, 1987.
8. R.C. Sinfuego, "Rehabilitation Urged on Child Prostitutes,"in Bulletin Today, June 2, 1985, p. 8.
9. Susan V. Fernandez, "Child Prostitution in the Philippines: An Exploratory Study on Child Labor Exploitation,"
Submitted to the College of Arts and Letters at the University of the Philippines at Diliman, Quezon City, 1984. 10. Liza Noble, "No More Sniffing Rugby for Romy," In Action Nugazine, Vol. 1 No.1, February, 1986, p. 16.
11. A Coalition of Concerned Christians, "Pornography: What Can Be Done About it," in Evangelical Thrust, March 1985, p. 13.

********************

Rev. Godofferso Fernandez Eding is an ordained minister of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines and serves as Assistance-Director of the Camp Ministry of
Christ for Greater Manila. He has a challenging ministry of reaching Filipinos in Metro Manila who are affectcd by drugs and prostitution.
He received his Bachelor in Ministerial Studies at Ebenezer Bible College in Zamboanga, Mindanao.

© Viv Grigg & Urban Leadership Foundationand other materials © by various contributors & Urban Leadership Foundation,  for The Encarnacao Training Commission.  Last modified: July 2010 Previous Page