ILLEGAL DRUGS
Republic Act 9165 - Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
Signed June 7, 2002
Published June 19, 2002
Took effect July 4, 2002
WHY SHOULD WE AVOID DANGEROUS DRUGS:
Illegal – Prohibited by law (RA 9165
Health – Damages our brain and body
Psycho-social – Destroys one’s behavior and causes one to commit crime
Spiritual – Against the will of God
WHAT IS DRUG?
A drug is a chemical substance that brings about physical, emotional or behavioral change
in a person taking it.
Is any substance other than food or water that is intended to be taken or administered for
the purpose of altering, sustaining or controlling the recipients physical, mental or
emotional state
WHAT IS DRUG ABUSE?
Drug abuse is the use of any chemical substance, licit or illicit, resulting to individual’s
physical, mental, or social impairment.
It may refer to any of the following practices:
• Using, without benefit or prescription, useful drugs which have the capacity to alter the
mood or behavior.
• Using drugs and substances for a purpose different from the one from which the drug has
been prescribed.
• Using drugs and substances having no legitimate medical application or purposes other
than research.
PROFILE OF DRUG USERS as per DDB (Facility Based) CY 2008
SEX: Ratio of male to female is 9:1
CIVIL STATUS: Single 56.94%
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT: High School level 30.62%
STATUS OF EMPLOYMENT : Unemployed (32.82%)
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Urban (Specifically NCR)
DURATION OF DRUG – TAKING: More than six (6) years
NATURE OF DRUG – TAKING : Poly drug use
ORIGIN OF DRUGS:
Natural - anything that comes from nature. Ex: Marijuana
Synthetic - anything that is produced artificially or processed in the laboratory Ex: Shabu, Ecstacy
Pharmacological Classifications of Drugs
1. Stimulants
Also known as “uppers”
Any of a group of drugs that excite the central nervous system. It increase
alertness, alleviate fatigue, reduce hunger and provide a feeling of well-being.
Ex. Cocaine, Methamphetamine (SHABU)
2. Depressant
also called as “downers” or “barbs”
any drug or chemical that decreases the activity of any bodily function. The term is
most often used to refer to drugs that reduce the activity of the central nervous
system
Ex: Sedatives, Sleeping Pills, Tranquilizers
3. Hallucinogens
Also called “psychedelics”
First developed as appetite suppressant
Any natural or synthetic psychoactive drugs that produce marked distortion
of the senses and changes in perception
Ex: MJ, LSD, Ecstasy, Ketamine
MOST ABUSED DRUGS IN THE PHILIPPINES
70
60
50 Shabu
40
Marijuana
30
Others
20
10
0
DRUGS OF ABUSE
1. SHABU
CONTENTS OF SHABU
Ephedrine - (Classified as Dangerous Drugs) Main ingredient of Shabu causing brain
damage
Toluene – Chemical used for paints, adhesives, etc.
Acetone – Nail cleaner
Lithium Batteries – Cancer causing component
Battery Acid – Corrosive chemical
Drain Cleaner – Liquid Soap
Hydrochloric Acid – (Muriatic Acid)
Chloroform – Cancer causing solvent
IMMEDIATE EFFECTS
Produces anxiety, tension, irritability, irrational behavior, talkativeness, and loss of
self-control.
Results in loss of appetite and inability to sleep.
Euphoria, elation.
Can lead to acute psychotic reactions, violent and destructive behavior and
recklessness that may result in accidents.
Includes chest pain, irregularity of heart beat, elevated or lowered blood pressure,
evidence of weight loss, convulsion and death from cardiac arrest.
LONG TERM EFFECTS
Prolonged use or even a single exposure, especially if administrated intravenously,
can lead to manifestations of a full blown “psychosis” which is similar to schizophrenia
characterized by the presence of paranoid delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations.
The paranoia may lead to violent and aggressive behavior.
2. Marijuana or Cannabis Sativa
IMMEDIATE EFFECTS
Hallucinations/illusions
Faster heart beat and pulse rate
Bloodshot Eye/blurred vision/Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
Dry mouth and throat
Forgetfulness/inability to think
Altered sense of time/ disorientation
Impaired reflexes coordination and concentration
Acute panic anxiety reaction
“Food-trip” & sleepiness (MJ)
LONG TERM EFFECTS
Severe irritation of the nasal passages that leads to frequent nose bleeding
Renal damages, heart disease and strokes
Psychiatric consequences
Gateway drug that may lead to poly-drug use.
3. Inhalants - volatile chemical substances that contains psycho-active (mind/mood altering)
vapors producing a state of intoxication.
Ex: Glue and Adhesive Cement / Rugby / Super Glue / Thinner
IMMEDIATE EFFECTS
Prone to bleeding and bruises
Loss of memory
Difficulty in learning and seeing things clearly
Loss of bodily control
Cramps, pains and bad cough
LONG TERM EFFECT
Permanent damage to brain, liver and kidneys
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
Anxiety, depression and irritability
Aggressive behavior
Dizziness, shaking and nausea
Insomnia
Other Drugs of Abuse
a. Ecstacy - a synthetic amphetamine
- has gain popularity as a recreational drug, 1st in the US, Later in Europe and
now increasing its popularity in others parts of the world including the
Philippines
Scientific name: 3,4 – methylene-Dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
Street Names: X, Rave, Love Drug, Flying saucer, LBD, Libido, Jagged little pill, Artist
drug, MDA, MDEA, Dance Drug
IMMEDIATE EFFECTS
Mild hallucinogenic effect
Increased physical energy
Emphathy
Mood lightening
Increse the sense of being enhances
LONG TERM EFFECTS
Can lead to same effects as with other synthetic stimulants
Potentisl neurotoxicity
Brain damage
Liver damage
SHORT TERM EFFECTS
Restlessness
Anxiety
Pronounce visual and auditory hallucination at larger doses
Increased blood pressure and heart rate
Nausea/vomiting
Activities indulge into after taking
Sex
Mental intercourse/Sex talk
Music trip
Dance trip
b. Sleeping Pill (BENZODIAZEPINES) – commonly known as tranquilizers and sleeping pills.
They are classified as short, medium and long acting. This relates to the length of the drug
action in the body. Length of action can also be influenced by the health of a person’s liver,
age and weight.
c. A.K.A. Valium, Ativan, Nubain, etc.
WHAT IS TOBACCO?
Tobacco means the curved leaves of the tobacco plant “nicotiana tobacu” which contains
a very potent ingredient called nicotine
CONTENTS OF TOBACCO SMOKE
Nicotine - Important active ingredients which is a very addictive and toxic (poisonous) substance.
Tar - Substance left behind on the filter by the tobacco smoke, known to be strong associated with
cancer and aggravates bronchial and other respiratory diseases
Carbon Monoxide - Gaseous product of incomplete combustion it is also known as a poisonous
emission from the exhaust of motor vehicles, which in effect decreases the amount of oxygen in
the blood
CIGARETTE CONTENTS
Ammonia – used to clean bathrooms
Cadmium – component of car battery
Carbon Monoxide – from car / factory exhaust
Nicotine – used as a mixture in insecticide
Tar – ingredients for asphalt
Vinyl Chloride – used for plastic manufacture
Cyanide – poison gas used by Hitler in his concentration camps
DDT – used to kill cockroach
Formaldehyde (Formalin) – used for embalming
Immediate effects:
Smelly breath, hair and clothes
Stained teeth and fingers
Increase heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure
Reduced blood supply to extremities (hands and feet because the blood vessel are
constricted)
Stimulated central nervous system
Smoking exposes “the smokers” and others to health risks
Long Term Effects
Sickness
Heart Attack
Cancer
Bronchitis and Emphysema
Ulcers
Infertility
WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
Alcohol is a powerful drug. Alcoholic drinks contain the drug “ethanol” (ethyl alcohol). It
is a toxic and poisonous drug. It poisons the body if taken in large quantities simply or in
combination with other drugs.
Alcohol damages all the major organs of the body. Alcohol is a depressant drug, not a
stimulant as erroneously believed. Pure alcohol is colorless and tasteless. Alcoholic
drinks vary in color and taste because of the ingredients used to flavor them.
REASON WHY PEOLPLE TURN TO DRUGS:
1. Family Problems
Parents who always quarrel in front of the children.
Irresponsible parents who don’t have time for their children.
2. Peer Pressure/Curiosity
BAD Influence by friends.
3. Weak Personality, Desire to Escape From Reality
Lack of self-confidence and inferiority complex.
COMMON SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE
1. Stealing items which can be readily sold for cash (to support a drug habit)
2. Changes in Mood – depending on the drug taken. Example: depressed or becoming elated
and euphoric.
3. Association with known drug abusers
4. Change from normal capabilities (work habits, efficiency, etc.)
5. Change in attendance at work or school
6. Wearing sunglasses constantly at inappropriate times (for instance, indoors or at night) or
only to hide dilated or constricted pupils but also to compensate for the eyes’ inability to
adjust to sunlight. Marijuana causes bloodshot eyes.
