COMMONWEALTH HIGH SCHOOL

Ecols st., Commonwealth

2nd District, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Drug Scenario in the Philippines

Introduction:
Lesson 1 presents the drug scenario in the Philippines. You will be provided with information about the study conducted by the Dangerous
Drugs Board. This is the lead government agency which plans, establishes and initiates programs and projects necessary to combat and reduce
the illegal distribution, manufacture and sale of drugs of abuse. You will also be introduced to basic terms used in the study of substance use
and abuse.

Reading Time:
In the year 2004, an estimate of 6.7 million drug users in the Philippines was recorded by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB). The
“2008 National Household Survey on the Nature and Extent of Drug Abuse in the Philippines” conducted by the same agency revealed that
there is a downward trend in the number of drug users down to 1.7 million users. The decline may be associated with the government’s intense
efforts in combating drugs. The following are the reasons for the successful decline of drug abuse in the country:
• Operations conducted by different law enforcing agencies like the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Bureau of Customs and other law enforcers have helped arrest local and
international drug syndicate members, traffickers, and destroy secret laboratories and warehouses.
• Strict implementation of policies under the “Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” like the compulsory drug test for application of
driver’s license, entrance to military service, application for firearms licensing, and others.
• Actualization of the Dangerous Drugs Board’s programs and projects in partnership with other agencies like the Department of
Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other local jcyap2013 272 HEALTH Learner’s Material
government units (LGU) and non-government organizations (NGO). These are positive efforts bearing fruits and achievements; however the
government does not rest on its laurels but rather creates more productive programs and projects to make the country a drug-resistant society.

Profile Findings
1. Ratio of Users (male to female): 10:1
2. Mean Age: 28 years old
3. Civil Status: Single (58.2%)
4. Employment Status: Unemployed
5. Educational Attainment: High School level
6. Average Monthly Household Income: Php 16,290.80
7. Duration of Drug Use: 6 years and more
8. Residence: Urban areas
9. Nature of Drug Use:: Poly-drug use (multiple drug use)
10. Common Drugs of Abuse Used: (1st) Shabu; (2nd) Marijuana; (3rd) Inhalants
Source: “2008 National Household Survey on the Nature and Extent of Drug Abuse in the Philippines”

Common Concepts in Drug Education:

The following are the usual words you will encounter in studying substance use and abuse:

Drugs are any substances or chemicals which when taken into the body either though nasal, oral, transdermal or intravenous
way have psychological, emotional and behavioral effects on a person.
Drugs of abuse are drugs commonly abused by users. In the Philippines the three drugs of abuse are shabu, marijuana and
inhalants.
Drug dependence is a cluster of physiological, behavioral and cognitive phenomena of variable intensity in which the use of a
drug takes on a high priority thereby creating a strong desire to take the substance.
Drug misuse is the use of a substance incoherent or inconsistent with the prescribed dosage or frequency of use.
Drug Abuse is the use of a substance for non-medicinal purposes. Abuse leads to organ damage like brain damage and liver
damage, addiction and troubled behavioral patterns.
Drug tolerance is the condition of the body to adapt to the effects of substances to the body thus requiring an even larger
amount
t of the substance to experience the same physiological and mental effect experienced when taking the smaller dosage.

Psychoactive Substance
Introduction:

Psychoactive, also called psychotropic, is a term that is applied to chemical substances that change a person's mental state
by affecting the way the brain and nervous system work. This can lead to intoxication, which is often the main reason people choose to take
psychoactive drugs. The changes in brain function experienced by people who use psychoactive substances affect their perceptions, moods,
and/or consciousness.

Readings:
Four Classification Psychoactive Substances
Psychoactive Substance Example Excessive use
Stimulants - improvement in mood that can reach euphoria, Caffeine Irritability
and bodily responses such as increased heart rate and blood Nicotine Mood swings
pressure. Amphetamines Hallucination
cocaine Chest pain
death

Depressants - effects include reduced feelings of tension, relief Alcohol Clammy skin, slow and shallow
of anxiety, and muscle relaxation. Tranquilizer breathing, rapid and weak pulse,
*benzodiazepines coma and death
*barbiturates
Opioids – a group of drugs derived from morphine. The effects Codeine Nausea and vomiting
include pain relief, drowsiness, euphoria, confusion, and Morphine Convulsions
respiratory depression (slowed breathing that keeps the lungs Oxycodone Respiratory arrest
from expanding fully and providing enough oxygen to the Heroin Coma
body). Painkillers Death
*aspirin
*acetaminophen
*ibuprofen

Hallucinogens - effects include paranoia, depersonalization (a Psilocybin from mushrooms Problem thinking and speaking
sense of not being real), hallucinations, erratic behavior, and LSD Memory loss
increased blood pressure and heart rate. Cannabis Depression
Ketamine Weight loss
Phencyclidine(PCP)
Dextromethorphan
Peyote(mescaline)

Drug/Substance of Abuse

Introduction:
Substance abuse is when you take drugs that are not legal. It’s also when you use alcohol, prescription medicine, and other
legal substances too much or in the wrong way.
Substance abuse differs from addiction. Many people with substance abuse problems are able to quit or can change their
unhealthy behavior. Addiction, on the other hand, is a disease. It means you can’t stop using even when your condition causes you
harm.
Substance use disorder is also called addiction, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an
inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication.

Readings: Classification of Drugs

Drug should be used properly to prevent drug abuse. But despite how careful we are it can still lead to abuse, addiction, legal
offense, serious health problems and even death. The three major drugs of abuse use in the Philippines are methamphetamine hydrochloride or
“shabu”, cannabis sativa or “marijuana”, and inhalants known as “solvent”.
These drugs of abuse are included in the six classifications of drugs:
1. GATEWAY DRUGS
- Are legal drugs that a non-drug user might try, which can lead him/her to more dangerous drugs such as marijuana and shabu. •Teenagers
who engage in early smoking & drinking have higher chance of using and experimenting with dangerous drugs of abuse.
2. DEPRESSANT DRUGS
- Slows down a persons central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves). • Doctors commonly prescribe depressants to help people who
have anger management issues, stressed or tensed. • Depressants relax muscles and nerves. • These drugs make patients feel sleepy and light
headed.
- Examples are: alcohol, barbiturates & tranquilizers
3. STIMULANT DRUGS
- Speed up a persons central nervous system. •Has the opposite effect of depressants. •Makes a person’s energy high •Side effects are
depression and tiredness.
- Examples are amphetamines (shabu, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine)
4. NARCOTIC DRUGS
- Are drugs which relieve pain and induce sleepiness. •These are prescribed to patients with mental disorders or with patients dealing with
severe pain like cancer. •These drugs are illicit and dangerous if taken.
- Examples are cocaine, heroin and marijuana.
5. HALLUCINOGENS
- Drugs which distort reality, it all affects all senses.
- Examples are: Lysergic Acid diethylamide, psilocybin
6. INHALANTS
- Found in ordinary household chemical products and anesthetics. • Readily available and accessible to young children • Inhalant toxins are
similar to those of alcohol, the only difference is the foul smell.
- Abuse can lead to delusions, brain damage, liver damage, comatose and death.
- Examples are acetone, rugby (solvent), spray paints, cleaning fluids and air conditioner fluids (Freon)

Commonly Abused Drugs

1. Alcohol
Alcohol affects everyone differently. But if you drink too much and too often, your chance of an injury or accident goes up. Heavy
drinking also can cause liver and other health problems or lead to a more serious alcohol disorder
2. Heroin
This illegal drug is the natural version of manmade prescription opioid narcotics. Heroin gives you a rush of good feelings at first.
But when it wears off, everything slows down. You’ll move and think more slowly, and you may have chills, nausea, and
nervousness. You may feel a strong need to take more heroin to feel better.
3. Cocaine
This drug speeds up your whole body. When you use cocaine, you may talk, move, or think very fast. You may feel happy and full
of energy. But your mood may then shift to anger. You may feel like someone is out to get you. It can cause you to do things that
don’t make sense. It is also know Blow, Bump, C, Candy, Charlie, Coke, Crack, Flake, Rock, Snow, Toot
4. Marijuana is made from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The main psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in marijuana is delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC It can make you feel silly and laugh for no reason. Or you may feel sleepy and forget things that just
happened. Driving while high on pot is just as dangerous as drunk driving. And heavy marijuana use can leave some people “burned
out” and not think or care about much.
5. Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Also known as meth, blue, ice,
and crystal, among many other terms, it takes the form of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in
water or alcohol.
6. Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products
You may not think of these as drugs. But tobacco has a chemical called nicotine that gives you a little rush of pleasure and energy.
The effect can wear off fast and leave you wanting more. You can abuse and get addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes, just like other
drugs.

Myths and Misconception about Drug use:

Drug is any substance that causes a changes in an organism physiological

or psychological condition when consumed. They are typically distinguished from food and substance that provide nutritional support.
Consumption of drug can be via inhalation, injection, smoking, ingestion, absorption via a patch on the skin, or dissolution under the
tongue
Different chances of drug abuse come across by knowledge base, these chances that affects individual who use and abuse drugs has
an effect which is short-term and long-term. Some individuals was influenced by myths and misconceptions that they believe it is true. The
signs of abuse drugs to an individual has categorized appropriately influences by using and abused drugs.
The existence of Drug in the country today is our problem and it’s everybody’s Responsibility to assist eliminate these .With the
continuous learning from the school, support from the family and program of the government and non-government sector that gives a great
help for the people to eradicate drug addiction in the nation.
The option to be healthy and drug free community is in our hands, with these we will help one another, encourage, support and
uplift healthy environment,

Readings
Myth 1: Memory enhancer
It is said that when you need to retain in your memory what you have read, is to take drugs. The truth is when you take drugs your
brain has no capacity to think better and never perform quickly.

Myth 2: Use and abuse substance may help loss weight

Use and abuse drugs stimulate the production of acid in the lining of the stomach which dictated by the brain not to eat, that may
result to loss of weight .The truth is that when you skip meals the higher secretion acid from normal will accumulate which can result to ulcer.

Myth 3: Use and abuse of substance ease problems and worries.

There are many reason why some individual use and abuse drugs. Others may reason out that they want to forget problems in life.
They believe that drugs will help them forget problems and ease worries. The truth is continuous and prolonged use and abuse worsen the
situation and the added more problems and worries.
 Topic: Short- term and Long term effects of Substance Use and Abuse
MELC: 1. Discuss the harmful short-term and long-term effects of substance use and abuse on the individual, family, school, and community
Introduction:
Each classification of drugs has different short- term and long-term effects. Short-term effects last for a couple of days, hours or even
shorter periods while long-term effects can be felt for weeks, months and even for a lifetime. The following is an overview of the short-term
and long-term effects of substance use and abuse.

1. GATEWAY DRUGS
Short -Term Effects Long- Term effects
A. Alcohol - Headache and light headedness - Damage of organs like liver, heart, colon and brain
- Slurred speech - Cancer
- Slow body reflex, senses and coordination - Cardiovascular diseases
- Overconfident - Cirrhosis of the liver
- Mood swings (depression, high spirit, - Poor study and work performance
aggressiveness) - Paralysis and/ or loss of limb due to road accidents
- Nausea (headache with vomiting) and other tragic events
- Experience of blackout (loss of - Alcohol poisoning which leads to coma and eventual
consciousness) death

B. Tobbacco -Stress - Development of asthma

- Rapid heart rate and pulse rate - Atherosclerosis
- Persistent cough - Thrombosis
- Difficulty in breathing - Cardiovascular diseases
- Halitosis or bad breath - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Sinusitis and otitis media - Cancer of the mouth, throat, skin, lungs, and other
- Increased phlegm production body parts
- Stomach problems - Hypertension or increased blood pressure
- Weak physical performance - Heart attack and stroke which leads to coma and death

2. DEPRESSANT DRUGS
Short -Term Effects Long- Term effects
-Slow brain function which leads to temporary memory loss -Agitation and aggressive behaviors
- Slow pulse rate and heart rate -Depression leading to mental disorders
- Below normal breathing pattern -Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Low blood pressure -Cardiovascular diseases
- Inability to concentrate and poor judgment - Paralysis of the muscles and nerves
- Confusion and irritability - Brain stroke
- Dizziness and lightheadedness - Chronic liver disease
- Slurred speech - Renal or kidney failure
- Loss of body balance and sluggishness - Cancer of the colon and other form of cancer – Diabetes
- Depression - Coma and death

3. STIMULANT DRUGS
Short -Term Effects Long- Term effects
- Increased heart rate and pulse rate - Paranoia
- Increased respiration (breathing) rate - Heart attack
- Increased digestive processes - Brain stroke
- Increased blood pressure - Brain damage
- Increased body temperature - Kidney damage
- Decreased appetite - Alert body responses - Liver damage
- Inability to sleep - Coma which leads to death
- Euphoria - Depression (the “down” that follows the “up” sensation)
 4. NARCOTIC DRUGS
Short -Term Effects Long- Term effects
- Drowsiness -Development of diseases like hepatitis, tetanus and HIV-AIDS
- Euphoria due to needle sharing
- Loss of appetite - Overdose leading to coma and death
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Muscle cramps and pain
- Chills and shaking
- Weight loss
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Difficulty in breathing
- Inflammation of the veins
- Panic attacks

5. HALLUCINOGENS
Short -Term Effects Long- Term effects
- Euphoria - Flashback (effects of the drug comes back after a long time of
- Hallucinations (seeing things which are not really there) not using it)
- Poor judgment of time and distance - Increased blood pressure
- Inability to sleep - Brain damage
- Loss of appetite which lasts up to 10 hours - Psychosis (a mental disorder in which reality is distorted or
- Nausea twisted)
- Poor body coordination - Coma and death
- Feeling of super strength
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
-Aggressive behavior
-Memory loss
-Slurred Speech

6. INHALANTS
Short -Term Effects Long- Term effects
-Slurred speech - Loss of hearing
- Poor coordination -Uncontrolled muscle spasms
- Euphoria -Brain damage
-Dizziness and nausea -Nerve damage
- Feeling of lightheadedness -Bone marrow damage
- Foul breath
- Hallucinations
- Delusions

Effects of Drug Use and Abuse on the Effects of Drug Use and Abuse on the Effects of Drug Use and Abuse on the
Family School Community
-Broken and unhappy family ties -Poor academic performance -High incidence of crime which includes
-Ignored duties and responsibilities -Increased rate of absenteeism and stealing, robbery and snatching
-Financial constraint due to drug tardiness -High incidence of accidents, e.g. road accident,
dependence and addiction -Increased incidence of school fights accidental falling, etc.
-High cost of drug treatment and -Low academic achievement rate -Affected economy due to low manpower
rehabilitation -Incidence of disrespect to school production
-Family dishonor and embarrassment authorities -Loss of government funds due to drug-related
-Separation of family members operations, treatment and rehabilitation