NSTP COMMON MODULE 2:

DRUG EDUCATION
Objectives:

At the end of this module you will be able to: 

1. Learn concepts about illicit drug use in an effort to prevent its illegal use while

highlighting the dangers of problematic substance use;
2. Get involved in drug education activities that will assist you to make healthy and safe
choices, identify risky situations, and develop strategies to prepare you for challenging
situations;
3. Be equipped with effective refusal skills to implement when confronted with negative
peer pressures associated with illicit drug use; and
4. Have an improved foundation of knowledge for you to approach the topic of drug use
within your community.

R.A. 9165

It is enacted into law by the 12th Congress in June 2002. RA 9165 mandates the
government to “pursue an intensive and unrelenting campaign against the trafficking and
use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances. It is an act instituting the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, repealing Republic Act No. 6425, otherwise
known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, as amended, providing funds therefore, and
for other purposes.

It is the policy of the State to safeguard the integrity of its territory and the well-being of its
citizenry particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on their
physical and mental well-being, and to defend the same against acts or omissions
detrimental to their development and preservation.

Nature of Drugs, Drug Menace, and Controlled Substances

 Drug is a chemical substance that brings about physical, emotional, or behavioral change
in a person taking it.

 Drugs are taken through ingestion, inhalation, injection, used as suppository, or applied
topically.

 Drugs are harmful when taken in excess. Some drugs are harmful if taken in dangerous
combinations or taken by a hypersensitive person in ordinary or small amounts.

 People turn to drugs because:

o They thought it can solve problems;
o Of widespread access to various drugs;
o Of peer pressure; and
o Of the notion that drugs give enjoyment to users, to the point that it is used as an
alcoholic substitute.
 Drug abuse is the use of chemical substance, forbidden or not forbidden, which results in
an individual’s physical, mental, or social impairment. It refers to:
o Using, without benefit or prescription, useful drugs which have the capacity to alter
moods;
o Using drugs and substances for a purpose different from the one for which the drug
has been prescribed; and
o Using drugs and substances having no legitimate medical application for purpose other
than research.

 Addiction is a disease that affects your brain and behavior. When you’re addicted

to drugs, you can’t resist the urge to use them, no matter how much harm the drugs may
cause. Drug addiction isn’t about just heroin, cocaine, or other illegal drugs. You can get
addicted to alcohol, nicotine, opioid painkillers, and other legal substances. At first, you
may choose to take a drug because you like the way it makes you feel. You may think you
can control how much and how often you use it. But over time, drugs change how
your brain works. These physical changes can last a long time. They make you lose self-
control and can lead you to damaging behaviors.

 ADDICTION VS. ABUSE:

o Drug abuse is when you use legal or illegal substances in ways you shouldn’t. You
might take more than the regular dose of pills or use someone else’s prescription. You
may abuse drugs to feel good, ease stress, or avoid reality. But usually, you’re able to
change your unhealthy habits or stop using altogether.
o Addiction is when you can’t stop. Not when it puts your health in danger. Not when it
causes financial, emotional, and other problems for you or your loved ones. That urge
to get and every minute of the day, even if you want to quit.

 Drugs commonly used, depending on pharmacological effects may be classified into:

o Stimulants that increases alertness and physical disposition.
Example: amphetamine, cocaine, caffeine, nicotine
o Hallucinogens that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness and emotion, changes
time and space perception, create delusions and hallucinations.
Example: LSD, mescaline, marijuana
o Sedatives that reduce anxiety and excitement.
Examples: barbiturates, tranquilizers, alcohol
o Narcotics that relieve pain and often induce sleep.
Example: opium, morphine, heroine, codeine

 A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture,

possession, or use is regulated by a government, such as illicitly used
drugs or prescription medications that are designated by law. Some precursor
chemicals used for the production of illegal drugs are also controlled substances, even
though they may lack the pharmacological effects of the drugs themselves. The
controlled substances do not include many prescription items such as antibiotics.

 One is abusing drugs when s/he exhibits changes in behavior, appearance and mood.
Sudden changes occur in the person’s disposition from pleasant to unpleasant. Thus,
s/he:
o Is often associated with known drug abusers.
 o Is irritable, discourteous, defiant, and aggressive.
o Is untrustworthy and lacks self-confidence.
o Is unhealthy and unconcerned with good grooming.
o Has low frustration tolerance.
o Lacks interest in his/her studies/work.
o Blames everybody but not himself for his problems.
o Develops changes in normal capabilities in his/her school/work.
o Borrows money and steals various items, unusually.

 The common signs of drug abuse are:

o Injection marks of an addict;
o Unusual efforts made to cover arms in order to hide needle marks;
o Stealing items which can readily be sold for cash to support a drug habit;
o Change in moods depending on the drug taken (depressed, becoming elated, or
euphoric);
o Association with known drug abusers;
o Change from normal capabilities, work habits, efficiency;
o Change in attendance or work/school;
o Wearing sunglasses constantly at inappropriate times to hide constricted pupils (blood-
shot eyes) and/or to compensate for the eyes’ inability to adjust with sunlight; and
o Poor physical appearance including inattention to dress and personal hygiene.

 The signs of addiction are:

o An urge to use the drug every day, or many times a day.
o You take more drugs than you want to, and for longer than you thought you would.
o You always have the drug with you, and you buy it even if you can’t afford it.
o You keep using drugs even if it causes you trouble at work or makes you lash out at
family and friends.
o You spend more time alone.
o You don’t take care of yourself or care how you look.
o You steal, lie, or do dangerous things like driving while high.
o You spend most of your time getting, using, or recovering from the effects of the drug.
o You feel sick when you try to quit.

The National Drug Situation

The drug situation in our country may have similarities with other countries. However, there
are also distinct problems in the country which may need distinct solutions. It is, therefore,
vital to carefully look into the drug situation in the country.

 Drugs in the Philippine Market:

o Drug user profile indicates that majority of drug dependents in the country are poly-
drug users or users who use several types of illegal drugs. The abuse is done mainly
for pleasure. Illegal drugs are used by individuals to cope with the demands of their
work, like those working in graveyard shifts, or working for long hours and the like. The
availability of illegal drugs encourages them to take illicit drugs.
 o Methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu remains to be the most abused drug in the
country, followed by marijuana or cannabis sativa and
methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy.
o Ecstasy, well known for being a “party drug,” which is commonly used in parties and
nightlife, is considered as the most expensive drug in the market.
o Solvents and other inhalants are also a preference and are usually abused by street
children.

 Drug Trafficking Trends:

o Illegal drug trafficking is the most prevalent and by far the most pervasive illegal drug
activity in the Philippines. It is subdivided into 4 activities, namely: transportation of
dangerous drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs),
manufacture, distribution, and use thereof.
o Street-level pushing is still the most widespread distribution activity. This is the way
drug syndicates bring dangerous drugs to clients at the barangay level. At the street
level, drugs are retailed to make them affordable.
o Drug traffickers never cease to find various ways to hide their illegal transactions.
Bank-to-bank transactions or wireless transfer is the preferred mode of payment in
illicit transactions.
o There is a noted use of package deposit counters in grocery stores and hotel lobbies
as well as jail and prison facilities as venues for drug transaction.
o The use of recreation centers and other similar establishments still prevails due to the
convenience of such locations for drug transactions and money-laundering activities.
o There is an alarming increase in the use of minors as couriers, runners and drug
peddlers. It also appears that drug traffickers are targeting children of considerably
younger age bracket. In fact, there was one incident in 2012 where a one-year-old
baby was used to conceal shabu being trafficked.
o Drug-manufacturing syndicates establish multiple kitchen-type laboratories in various
locations for different phases in the production of illegal drugs. Each location is
designed and intended for one phase of production to avoid detection from authorities.
o African Drug Syndicates (ADS) continuously utilize displaced overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs) and willing individuals who posed as tourists to be couriers of illegal
drugs. This trend is likely to continue because people are easily enticed by the huge
amount of money involved.

 Critical Areas and Periods in the Philippines:

o The National Capital Region remains to be the main hub in the manufacturing of
shabu in the country. Manufacturing activities are done in residential areas, posh
villages, apartments and condominiums.
o Marijuana cultivation is still largely concentrated in Northern Luzon, particularly in high-
altitude and mountainous areas. The onset of summer season, where there is an influx
of tourists, causes the increase in demand of illegal drugs in vacation spots,
particularly in posh and exclusive resorts and club houses.
o Enrolment and holiday seasons are also considered as critical periods since people
have extra money to spend.
o Shabu laboratories were dismantled and marijuana plantation sites eradicated;
o Clandestine laboratories were dismantled in Caloocan, Malabon, Muntinlupa, and
Parañaque; and
 o Marijuana plantation sites were also eradicated in the areas of CAR, Ilocos Sur,
Isabela, and Nueva Ecija Marijuana plantation sites eradicated in the areas of Davao
Oriental, Sulu, South Cotabato, and Compostela Valley.

 New Trends in Illegal Activities:

o As of 2012, the surfacing and abuse of “poppers,” a kind of inhalant, and substances
such as mephentermine have also been monitored.
o The use of chemicals not listed as dangerous drugs to produce amphetamine-type
stimulants (ATS), such as methylephedrine and sodium hydroxide.
o The mixing of shabu with other drugs and substances to produce a new concoction of
ATS, one of which is “milkshake”, a concoction of shabu and Nubain.

 Drug Routes:
o Drug syndicates are taking advantage of the country’s vast and porous coastlines for
smuggling activities.
o Airports, seaports, and free ports/economic zones are also being utilized as
transshipment and drop-off points of illegal drugs that are smuggled into the country.
o Based on the noted movements of the drug couriers, syndicates use more than one
drug courier per transaction and recruit mostly Asians. As their modus operandi goes,
one courier will be tasked to pick-up the illegal drugs in a specific point and then meet
with another courier in a transit country to turn-over the said drugs for final distribution
to its intended market in Asia.

 Drug Syndicates:
o The advent of globalization results in a more liberal movement of people and
commerce, an opportunity being capitalized upon by drug syndicates.
o They recognize no boundary or jurisdiction, and their main motivation is profit. There
are two identified transnational drug groups operating in the Philippines:
1. The African Drug Syndicate (ADS) which is dominated by African nationals who
facilitate the smuggling of dangerous drugs into the country for local distribution.
They usually use human drug couriers who will smuggle drugs into a country of
destination in exchange for a huge amount of money. This strategy enables them
to carry out their illicit drug activities without the risk of being caught themselves.
Based on the records of the Task Force Drug Couriers (TFDC), ADS usually
employ women as couriers.
2. The Chinese/Filipino-Chinese drug syndicates dominate the country’s illegal drug
trade by undertaking bulk smuggling and manufacturing of illegal drugs. Bulk
smuggling and manufacturing activities ensure the abundant supply of illegal drugs
in the market. Usually, their activities are largely concentrated within their group,
with the inclusion of very few and well-selected locals. Further, Chinese/Filipino-
Chinese drug groups are also responsible for the establishment of clandestine
laboratories and illegal chemical warehouses in the country.

ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN DRUG PREVENTION AND DETECTION

1. Get involved in program design and implementation according to your capabilities.

2. Be a peer educator and reach out, advocate health-promoting behaviors.
3. Learn to deal with life’s pressures.
4. Never give in to peer-pressures.
5. Help those your age engage in healthy activities, like sports and culture, to enhance their
well-being and prevent social isolation that leads to drugs and crime. In this way, young
people can be steered away from drugs, and those that do suffer the misery of addiction
can be brought back into society.