Civic Welfare Training Service 1 Midterm Reviewer PDF

**Civic Welfare Training Service 1 Midterm Reviewer** **By Devine Turcido** Certain studies found out that juvenile drug use is strongly related to crimes, poor health, deterioration of family relationships, worsening academic performance, and other social and psychological problems. It is also li...

**Civic Welfare Training Service 1 Midterm Reviewer** **By Devine Turcido** Certain studies found out that juvenile drug use is strongly related to crimes, poor health, deterioration of family relationships, worsening academic performance, and other social and psychological problems. It is also linked to violent delinquency that continues through adulthood (VanderWaal, McBride, Terry-McElrath, and Vanburen, 2001). **Lesson 1: Drug Addiction** **What is a drug?** - Drugs are any \[chemical\] substances that change the way the body functions mentally, physically, or emotionally. It is used interchangeably with the term "substance". Use of drugs can lead to addiction and other serious problems. **What is Drug Abuse?** - Drug abuse is the use of licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, and social impairment. **What is Drug Addiction?** - Drug addiction (also referred to as drug dependence) is known as an individual's dependence on drugs without due regard to accepted medical practice. It is a chronic brain disorder characterized by a compulsive drug-seeking behavior and use despite negative consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the structure of the brain and how it works. Initially, the decision to take the drugs is voluntary. At first, people may believe that they can control their use of drugs, while observing temporary pleasurable effects on their body. However, drugs take over quickly. It impairs the ability of a person to exert self-control as it affects the areas of the brain critical to judgment, decision-making, and behavior control. Continuous use of drugs will turn previously pleasurable activities less gratifying for a person. S/he will feel flat, lifeless, or depressed. In order to feel "normal" again, s/he will feel the need to take the drugs and increase its dosage. S/he will have a hard time controlling it over time (National Institutes of Health, 2020). **Drug abuse occurs in the following situations (Gasilla-dela Cruz, 2005):** 1\. Use of drugs that have the capacity to change the mood or behavior even without benefit or prescription; 2\. Use of drugs for a purpose different from the reason of prescription; and 3\. Use of drugs without legitimate medical application for purposes other than research. In the Philippines, the **Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002** is amended to provide a more intensive approach in addressing problems in drug abuse, drug addiction, and drug trafficking. It recognizes the role of the educational system in information dissemination and prevention campaign (Agas, de Leon, and Ricafrente, 2019). It also highlights the importance of providing effective mechanisms to rehabilitate and reintegrate the victims of drug abuse and drug dependency through treatment and rehabilitation. **Reasons for taking drugs/ drug abuse Here are the general reasons why people take drugs (National Institutes of Health, 2020; and Gerges, 2020):** 1\. **To feel good** - Most drugs can produce feeling of euphoria or intense feeling of pleasure. 2\. **To feel better (self-medicating)** - Some people who suffer from multitude of ailments turn to drugs and alcohol to ease their pain, like a short-term solution. 3\. **To do better** - Some drugs improve cognitive and athletic performance upon intake. 4**. Curiosity and experimenting** - Satisfaction of their curiosity is done by "experiencing" it. 5\. **Social pressure** - Adolescents are most likely to be influenced into taking drugs due to peer pressure. The drive to try drugs is prompted by the need to fit in to a certain group and for the sake of "pakikisama". 6\. **Mental Health Disorder** - Some people use substances to cope with difficult feelings and lessen their stress whenever they are experiencing depression, anxiety, and PTSD. 7\. **Family history/genetics** - A person may have a genetic predisposition of developing addiction to drugs and alcohol if s/he has a family history of drug addiction. 8\. **Loneliness** - Addiction to substances can begin at the time an individual feels lonely or isolated from his friend, family, or loved ones. S/he turns into drugs and alcohol, hoping to fill the void that s/he feels. 9\. **Recreation** - Some people use drugs and alcohol with friends to unwind or relax. Frequent use of recreational drugs and substances may result in addiction. **Lesson 2: History of Drugs in the Philippines and Classifications According to Effects** - **Pre-Martial Law Era** 1. **Hallucinogens** - This kind of drug is also referred to as "psychedelics" or "dissociatives". It causes profound distortion of the visual and auditory senses altering the user's perception of reality -- in other words, hallucination. - Examples: LSD, marijuana, ecstasy, and ketamine Table 5.1 Hallucinogens' immediate and long-term effects of hallucinogens +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Immediate Effects** | **Long -term Effects** | +===================================+===================================+ | - Hallucinations/illusions | - Psychiatric consequences | | | (e.g., depression, anxiety, | | - Increased heart rate, pulse | paranoia, and confusion) | | rate, and blood pressure | | | | - Severe irritation of the | | - Bloodshot eye/blurred | nasal passages resulting in | | vision/rapid eye movement | frequent nose bleed | | (REM) | | | | - Renal damage | | - Dry mouth and throat | | | | - Heart disease | | - Forgetfulness/inability to | | | think | - Stroke | | | | | - Altered sense of time/ | - Inflammation of blood vessels | | disorientation | | | | - Infection of heart valves | | - Impaired reflexes | | | coordination and | - Blood poisoning | | concentration | | | | | | - Acute panic anxiety reaction | | | | | | - Appetite loss and sleeping | | | problems | | | | | | - Sleep problems | | | | | | - Violent behavior | | | | | | - Incoherent speech | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 2. **Depressants** - These are drugs or chemicals that create feelings of relaxation and tiredness. Depressants, commonly called "downers" or "barbs", reduce the activity of any bodily function or the central nervous system by slowing down the travel of messages between the brain and the body. They do not necessarily make the user feel depressed. It is used medically to fight mental illness and sleep deprivation. They may also create feelings of euphoria or elation. Because of this effect, it is commonly abused and likely to cause overdose. - Examples: sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, alcohol, opiates, and barbiturates Table 5.2 Depressants' immediate effects and withdrawal symptoms +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Immediate Effects** | **Withdrawal Symptoms** | +===================================+===================================+ | - Small Doses | - Psychosis | | | | | | - Restlessness, irritability, | | | and anxiety | | - Calmness | | | | - Sleeplessness | | - Relaxation | | | | - Stuffy or runny nose | | | | | | - Ulcerated mucous membrane of | | - Large Doses | nose | | | | | | - Lung damage | | | | | - Slurred speech | - Confusion | | | | | - Staggering o Poor judgment | - Slurred speech | | | | | - Slow body movements and | | | uncertain reflexes | | | | | | | | | | | | - Overdose | | | | | | | | | | | | - Unconsciousness | | | | | | - Death | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ 3. **Narcotics** - Its term is derived from the Greek word for stupor, which is "nárki". It is also known as opiates or opioids. Narcotics are medically used to relieve pain, induce euphoria, and create mood changes. - Examples: cough syrups, opium, cocaine, morphine, and heroine - Immediate effects: - Restlessness - Nausea and vomiting - Smaller pupils - Moist and bluish skin - Slowed down breathing - Unconsciousness or death (large doses) - **Martial Law Era** 1. **Coung Syrups** -- with narcotic and non-narcotic cough suppressants Example: Corex, Endotussin, Robitussin AC, etc. 2. **Inhalants** a. These are volatile chemical substances that are ingested by sniffing through the nose or breathing them in through the mouth. The psychoactive vapors of these substances produce a state of intoxication. These are easily absorbed into the bloodstream, thus giving the user an immediate high. These chemicals are usually present in household products categorized as volatile solvents (e.g., correction fluid, paint thinner, and glue), aerosol sprays (e.g., spray paint, deodorant, and fly spray), gases (e.g., helium and butane in cigarette lighters), and nitrites (e.g., room deodorizers and leather cleaners) b. Other examples: markers, adhesive cement, rugby, and nail polish remover Table 5.3. Inhalants' immediate and delayed effects +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Immediate Effects** | **Delayed Effects** | +===================================+===================================+ | - Confusion/disorientation/dist | - Memory loss | | orted | | | perception of time and | - Inability to think | | distance | | | | - Muscle cramps and weakness | | - Hallucinations and illusions | | | | - Numbness in limbs | | - Aggressive behavior/violence | | | | - Abdominal pains | | - Nausea and vomiting | | | | - Suffocation and asphyxia | | - Drowsiness | | | | - Cardiac arrest | | - Intoxication | | | | - Damage to the central nervous | | | system, kidney, liver, and | | | bone marrow | | | | | | - Sudden death | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ - **After EDSA Revolution** **Stimulants** - The primary use of stimulants is to increase the energy, concentration, and alertness of a person by exciting the central nervous system. These drugs also alleviate fatigue and reduce hunger. - Examples: Adderall, Meth, Cocaine/ Amphetamine (shabu) - Immediate effects: - Dilated pupils - Increase in blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature - Involuntary muscle twitching - Sense of well-being and feeling energetic or alert - Less hunger - Slurred speech **Lesson 3: Effects of Drug Addiction** A. **Physical/Psychological Health** a. **Systemic** i. Heart conditions (e.g., abnormal heart rates, heart attacks, collapsed veins and blood vessels) ii. Lung disease iii. Liver damage or liver failure iv. Kidney problems b. **General Health** i. Weakened immune system and increased risk of illness and infection ii. Nausea and abdominal pain, which may lead to changes in appetite, weight loss, and malnutrition iii. Blood transmitted disease iv. Seizures or stroke v. Skin Infection B. **Psychological/Mental Health Disorder** a. Brain damage b. Mental confusion c. Depression that leads to suicide d. Paranoia, psychosis, or hallucination (auditory and visual) e. Stress f. Problems with memory, attention, and decision-making (impaired judgment) g. Aggressiveness h. Loss of self-contro C. **Economic effects** a. Employment loss b. Academic difficulties c. Financial problems D. **Social Problems** a. Conflictual/Dysfunctional relationships b. Violence c. Safety E. **Spiritual/Moral Effects** a. Lowering of moral values b. Indulge in prostitution **Lesson 4: Classification of Drug Abusers** 1. **Experimenters** -- people who abuse the drugs(s) for an experimental basis. 2. **Occasional Users** -- abuse the drug occasionally/whenever there are special occasions. They abuse the drug once every two (2) to two (2) times a week. 3. **Regular Users** -- abuse the drug on a regular basis approximately three (3) to four (4) times a week or every other day. 4. **Drug Dependents** -- people who tend to abuse the drugs(s) almost every day or about five (5) to seven (7) times a week. 5. **Mentally Ill Chemical Abuser/Substance-Induced Psychosis** -- drug abusers who manifest signs and symptoms of psychotic disorders caused by the effects of drugs (hallucinations, disorientation, delusions, etc.) **Lesson 5: Counter-measures for Drug Abuse** 1. **Preventive Education** - seek to discourage abstainers and impending users from experimenting with illegal drugs. Policies and programs related to this counter-measure aim to reduce the desire to obtain and use illicit substances and to stop the experimenters from 66 continuing to abuse them (Dangerous Drugs Board, 2013). 2. **Counseling** - Addiction counselling aims to help the drug users in achieving and maintaining abstinence, and deal with their recovery (Psychological Health Care, n.d.). This is performed through helping them understand the causes of drug addiction and develop ways to cope with stressful situations. This program is administered to experimenters, occasional users, and regular users (Agas et al., 2019). 3. **DRUG Rehabilitation** -- is administered to drug dependents who tend to abuse drug almost every day within a week (Agas et al., 2019). Drug rehabilitation treatment facilities help an individual to recover from drug addiction by guiding them to make positive changes in their lives through rectification of maladaptive behaviors. Specifically, they learn healthy coping skills, emotional regulation skills, and drug-refusal strategies during the process to help them avoid relapse (American Addiction Centers Editorial Staff, 2020). 4. **Psychiatric Treatment** - It is administered to mentally ill chemical abusers or those individuals who manifest signs and symptoms of psychotic disorders (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, etc.) caused by drugs (Agas et al., 2019). **Lesson 5: Drug Abuse Prevention** - Keep yourself busy with studies and productive activities at home or in school. - Step away from people who use drugs. - Find healthy ways to manage feelings and cope with stress (e.g., pick a hobby, get involved in activities within the community, take time to enjoy the nature, etc.). 67 - Practice positive self-talk, and develop strong moral and spiritual foundation. - Have your support system. Seek therapy and counselling. - Educate yourself about the adverse effects of drug abuse. - Exercise. - Say NO to drugs. **Lesson 6: The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002** These are some of the important provisions in the Republic Act 9165 also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. - **SEC 5** -- sale, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drug - **SEC 6** -- Maintenance of den, dive, and resort - **SEC 11** -- possession of dangerous drugs - **SEC 15** -- use of dangerous drugs - **SEC 19** -- unlawful prescription of dangerous drugs - **SEC 36** -- authorized drug testing - **SEC 54** -- voluntary submission of a drug dependent to confinement, rehabilitation - **SEC 60** -- confidentiality of records under the voluntary submission - **SEC 61** -- compulsory confinement of a drug dependent who refuses to apply under the voluntary submission