Drug Education PDF

# Drug Education ## What is a drug? A drug is a chemical substance that influences the function of living cells and alters the body or mental processes when taken into the body or applied through the skin. ## How are drugs taken? * Ingestion * Inhalation * Injection * Used as suppository * Appli...

# Drug Education ## What is a drug? A drug is a chemical substance that influences the function of living cells and alters the body or mental processes when taken into the body or applied through the skin. ## How are drugs taken? * Ingestion * Inhalation * Injection * Used as suppository * Applied topically ## Why should we avoid dangerous drugs? * **Illegal** - Prohibited by law (RA 9165) * **Health** - Damages our brain and body * **Spiritual** - Against the will of God ## What is addiction? Addiction isn't limited to alcohol and drugs. People may be addicted to many items, like food, gambling, shopping, or any of the items that hinder a healthy lifestyle. When things come out of control, and people act compulsively, no matter what the consequences. ## What is drug addiction? Drug addiction or dependence is a state of compulsive use of psychoactive substances (drugs, narcotics, and chemicals). Use continues despite negative consequences (social, emotional, or physical harm, they may cause the user.) Drugs are addictive and differ from substance to person. Similarly, a person who is predisposed to addiction psychologically or genetically is much more likely to become addicted. ## Two (2) Forms of Drug Addiction 1. **Physical dependency** Occurs when a drug or substance is regularly used, and the body becomes accustomed to its effects. Then the user must continue to use the drug to feel normal since his absence will trigger withdrawal symptoms. 2. **Psychological dependency** Comes when a drug is used regularly, and the mind has become emotionally dependent on its influence, either feeling pleasure or relieving pain. It does not feel able to function without it. Its absence gives rise to intense cravings, often brought on or magnified with stress. A user may have either aspect of dependence but usually has both. ## When are drugs harmful? Any drug that is taken excessively can be harmful. Certain drugs can also be harmful if taken in dangerous combinations or ordinary or even small amounts by a hypersensitive (allergic) person. ## Why do people turn to drugs? * Medicines can solve problems. * Widespread access to various drugs. * Peer pressure. * The notion that drugs give enjoyment to users and in the context that is used as an alcohol substitute. ## 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 drug 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 * **Synthetic:** anything that is produced artificially or processed in the laboratory. ## Are there products other than drugs ever abused? * Glue * Paint thinners * Fuel * and other toxic (breathable) solvents contain dangerous chemicals ## Common causes of Drug Abuse * Unhappy home, parents are showing no interest in their children. * Lack of parental values and guidance * Domestic violence whether verbal or physical. * Parents who make free use of alcohol and illegal drugs. * Peer pressure encouragement. * Curiosity or desire to experience. * Escape from mental and physical pain; relief from boredom and frustration; * Weak personality, the common sense of self-esteem and self-worth. ## Effects of Drug Abuse * Malnutrition * Panic Reaction * Physical Damage ## Drug Abuse Preventing Measure 1. Exhaust all communication channels; talk to people you trust; get free to open up and share your emotions and concerns. 2. Learn how to cope with negative emotions by using sport, music, meditation, and prayer as relaxation forms; 3. Expand your horizons by seeking new interests, meeting new people, visiting new places, and incorporating new experiences into yourself. 4. Allow yourself the chance to be everything you can be by finding and developing your personality. 5. Develop family relationships; aim to build balanced, safe family life and content. Parents should lead a good example; educate their kids, and teach essential information about drug use. 6. Establish a drug awareness program to teach the school's students about the risks of drug violence. 7. Local leaders will coordinate and run programs to disseminate information to prevent drug abuse. Organize a social and leisure initiative which will act as a meaningful alternative to drug abuse. 8. Partner with officials to apprehend identified drug pushers and disrupt the community-based drug base network. 9. Helping drug users in treatment and rehabilitation. 10. Implement a direct, sincere, quick action, and hands-on approach to the government to address the growing menace of drug abuse. ## Classification of Commonly Abused Drugs There are five (5) different kinds of drugs in the field of illegal and abused drug use. ### 1. Depressants Known as "downers," drugs that act on and depress the central nervous system causing initial relaxation that leads to sleep and drowsiness * **Alcohol** - Specifically, ethyl alcohol, the main ingredient of all alcoholic drinks. Some liquor brands such as gin, whiskey, brandy, pilsen, and rum are favored to achieve the desired effect among alcoholics or trouble drinkers, * **Effect:** The effects of alcohol can vary from mild, such as skin flushing, to more severe symptoms such as lowering inhibitions leading to poor social judgment, concentration problems, loss of coordination, lack of critical judgment, particularly vision dulled perception, mood swings, decreased core body temperature, elevated blood pressure, passing out, and vomiting. * **Sedative-hypnotics** - Most often referred to as mild tranquilizers. Such medications are used in the treatment of epilepsy, insomnia, and anxiety. ### 2. Narcotics Known as "opiates or opioids," is opium-derived drugs and their derivatives. These medicinal drugs relieve pain, suppress cough, reduce bowel movement, and induce psychological indifference. * **Opium** - Coagulated opium poppy juice used (formerly as a pain reliever but replaced with morphine and codeine. * **Effects:** Short term effects can include euphoria, relaxation, analgesia, slower shallower breathing, lower heart rate, impaired reflexes, temporary constipation, loss of appetite. Regular use of opium may cause: tolerance-having to use more to achieve the same result, irregular periods, and difficulty of having children, lack of sex drive, constipation, opium dependence. * **Morphine** - Opium's primary alkaloid occurs in a crystalline white base and is marketed as tablets and injectable solutions. * **Effects:** Morphine may cause side effects. Drowning, pain, and cramps in the stomach, dry mouth, headache, nervousness, changes in mood, difficulty urinating, or pain when urinating. Specific side effects can be severe. Blue or purple skin color, changes in heartbeat, restlessness, hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist), fever, sweating, confusion, rapid heartbeat, shivering, severe muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea), weakness, or dizziness, inability to get or keep an erection, irregular menstruation, decreased sexual desire, seizures, extreme drowsiness, fainting, chest pain, fever, swelling of the eyes, hives, rash, itching, face, mouth, lips or throat, heaviness, and breathing or swallowing difficulties. * **Codeine** - an alkaloid that was extracted from morphine and used as an analgesic mild. * **Effects:** Using codeine, as with any prescription, comes with its side effects; these include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and stomach pain, vomiting, constipation, sweating, mild itching, rashes, dry mouth, flushing, nervousness, shakiness, vertigo, weakness. * **Heroine** - white crystalline narcotics synthesized from morphine and used as a suppressant for coughing. * **Effects:** The short-term effects will deviate slightly based on the method of delivery to the system. Still, the most common immediate analgesic (pain-relieving) and depressing effects of the central nervous system are a "rush," which is a sharp increase in euphoric feelings, feelings of warmth and flushing during a "rush," heavy sensation in the extremities, reduced feelings of pain, drowsiness, sedation, and lethargy. ### 3. Stimulants Drugs used to stimulate alertness, boost mood, increase speech, mental and motor activity, alleviate tiredness or boredom, and decrease appetite. * **Amphetamine** - A colorless liquid with an acrid taste and a mild odor that stimulates the central nervous system considerably. This illicit drug most commonly used in the United States. * **Effects:** They cause increased alertness and somewhat a false sense of well-being. The short-term negative effects include paranoia, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, insomnia, acne, and sores. Longer-term effects include dependence, resulting in fatal kidney and lung disorders, possible brain damage, and possible heart stroke. * **Methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu)** - known as "shabu," is a white, odorless crystalline powder with a bitter taste, considered the Philippines' most abused stimulant. The abusers administer it by injection, inhalation, sniffing, or ingestion through the body. * **Effects:** Dangerous effects on the user are feelings of irritability, fear, anxiety, and loss of appetite leading to loss of weight. Schizophrenia, split personality resulting in violent behavior, hallucinations leading to paranoid psychosis, resulting in violent aggression. * **Ecstasy** - a synthetic drug similar to amphetamine colored white, yellow, or brown with a bitter taste and comes in the form of tablets, capsules, or powders in various styles and shapes. * **Effects:** Positive effects described by users include an overwhelming feeling of wellbeing, increased confidence, and the desire to be next to and in physical contact with other people. It's also known to produce insomnia, depression, and paranoia after the high has worn off. Users are usually sensation-seeking and sexually aggressive. The long-term deleterious effect of ecstasy, according to the government agency, is that it harms serotonin neurons in the brain. * **Cocaine** - known as "coke," alkaloids are derived from coca plant leaves, commonly used in minor surgery as local anesthetics, one of the shortest and most potent stimulants. A cheap, readily available type of smokable cocaine is known as crack. * **Effects:** The drug reportedly provides intense feelings of pleasure, making the user feel euphoric, energetic, talkative, and mentally alert. Physical symptoms include accelerated heartbeat, pulse rate and breathing, and higher blood pressure and body temperature. Large quantities (several hundred milligrams or more) intensify the "high" user, but can also lead to behavior that is erratic, aggressive, and violent. It is known to be addictive, and death from a cocaine overdose can occur from convulsions, heart failure, and it can damage the mucous membranes when snorted. Hollywood celebrities and western rock start commonly use this drug. * **Caffeine** -The active ingredient in coffee, tea, cola drinks, used to constrict the blood flow and as a cure for headaches, diuretics, and extreme asthma care. Caffeme has multiple effects on metabolism in your body. It activates the central nervous system, which can help you feel awake more and give you an energy boost. * **Effects:** * **Nicotine** - A poisonous alkaloid that is an active ingredient in tobacco and cigarettes. Extracted from tobacco leaves, it is colorless but quickly turns brown when exposed to sunlight. It has a burning, acrid flavor. * **Effects:** Nicotine causes a variety of effects on the body and mind, including reduced appetite, increased mood, increased bowel activity, increased saliva and phlegm production, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, improved memory, and increased alertness. ### 4. Hallucinogens Known as "psychedelics," a collection of natural or synthetic psychoactive substances that create a shift in the state of consciousness that triggers reactions, including perceptual alterations. They create hallucinations or visions in the form of shapes and changes of color in the appearance of the outside world, which progress in replacing the actual reality with imaginary beings and landscapes in extreme cases. * **Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)** - a fungal-derived crystalline material that infects wheat or rye. Well known and most potent hallucinogen in the form of tablets, gelatin, or impregnated paper took orally. Some effects are hallucinations, distorted visual awareness of shapes, colors, altered sounds, anxiety and depression, hallucinations * **Effects:** The physical effects of LSD from person to person are unpredictable. Typically, the drug's first effects are felt 30 to 45 minutes after it is taken by mouth, peak at 2 to 4 hours, and can last for 12 hours or more. * **Mescaline** - known as "STP" a product extracted from peyote cactus dried tops. * **Effects:** Mescaline may have physical effects: increased body temperature, heart rate increased, pupils dilated, shaking, dizziness, heavy sweating, flushed skin, lack of coordination, vomiting and nausea, loss of appetite. * **Psilocybin** - a mushroom-ingested hallucinogenic agent to achieve its effect close to LSD and STP * **Effects:** The psilocybin effects are usually similar to the LSD effects. These include altered time and space perception and extreme shifis in mood and feeling. Possible impacts of psilocybin include euphoria, peacefulness, spiritual awakening, rapidly shifting feelings, derealization or the sensation that the world is not real, depersonalization, or a dreamlike sense of disengagement from the surroundings, altered perception, visual alteration, and distortion, such as light halos and bright colors, dilated pupils, dizziness, drowsiness, poor focus, muscle fatigue, lack of coordination, unusual body sensations, nausea, anxiety, confusion, frightening hallucinations, vomiting, and yawning. * **Phencyclidine (PCP)** - considered threatening and highly dangerous drugs because it can be easily synthesized with no human medical purpose but used by veterinarians as anesthetic and animal sedative. * **Effects:** Low to moderate doses: loss of coordination, disorientation, confusion, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, numbness, changes in sensory perception, hallucinations, feelings of detachment from oneself and the environment, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, rapid breathing rate, increased body temperature. Higher doses: hallucinations, loss of memory, physical pain, marked psychological distress, intense panic or fear, anxiety, hysteria, invulnerability, excessive force, violence. Aside from the general effects described above, PCP users can become highly aggressive or abusive, and may experience schizophrenia-like psychotic symptoms. * **Marijuana** - known as cannabis, a moderate hallucinogenic product extracted from crushed leaves, flowering tops, and stems of the "cannabis sativa" hemp plant. In central Asia and China, they typically smoked or eaten for pleasure in juicing and folk medicine. * **Effects:** Users describe the feeling of smoking marijuana as relaxed, happy, and generally having a gay mood. Some say it enhances tense feelings, intense situations, and others say it makes them fall asleep. ### 5. Hallucinogenic Substances that are not usually considered to be medicinal products but have great potential for misuse. Effects can be amplified and produce a state of intoxication. Hallucinogens can induce altered perceptions or sensations, which might be felt instantly or that lasts for a long time. Their effects include: * **Physical symptoms:** such as altered mood, drowsiness and dizziness, headache, hallucinations, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate, muscle weakness, agitation, convulsions, and panic attacks. * **Mental symptoms:** such as depression, anxiety, paranoia or psychosis, memory loss, and personality changes. These effects can be very dangerous for the user and can lead to serious health problems. ## Examples of Hallucinogens * **Volatile Solvents:** These include solvents that are commonly found in household products, such as glues, paints, thinners, gasoline, kerosene, and lighter fluid. * **Effects:** They can cause a variety of effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, hallucinations, and loss of coordination. * **Inhalants:** These substances are often sniffed or "huffed" and can cause a variety of effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, hallucinations, and loss of coordination. * **Examples:** The most common inhalants include **aerosol sprays**, **nasal sprays**, and **organic ***nitrite*** poppers. * **Plant-based Hallucinogens:** These are **drugs derived from plants** that can cause a variety of effects, including hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. * **Examples:** * **Peyote:** A cactus that contains the hallucinogenic **mescaline**. * **Magic Mushrooms:** Mushrooms that contain **psilocybin**. ## Republic Act No. 9165, Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 **Salient Features of RA 9165** * **Reorganization of...** * Philippine Drug Enforcement Board (DDB) as the policy and strategy formulation body * Dangerous Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as its implementation arm * **Creation of...** * Philippine Drug Distribution and Transportation of Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals ### Penalties **Penalties** range from five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00). * Life Imprisonment * Fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00). * Life Imprisonment * Fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00). * Life Imprisonment * Fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00). * Imprisonment of 12 years and one (1) day to 20 years * Fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Five Hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) ### Examples of Penalties * **Any Visitor of a Den, Dive or Resort** - who is aware of the nature of the place as such. * **Possession of Dangerous Drugs** * 10 grams or more of opium: * 1 gram or more of heroin: * 1 gram or more of cocaine: * 1 gram or more of morphine: * 10 grams or more of marijuana resins, hashish oil or "bhang", to methaqualone, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or any of its isomers, or other dangerous drugs but not limited to: * methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as "ecstasy" or "adam" or "love drug," * dimethylene-dioxyamphetamine (MDA), or "ecstasy," * paramythamphetamine (PMA) or if in quantity designed or newly introduced drugs, * any dangerous drugs listed in the schedules announced by the Dangerous Drugs Board, or whose ingredients, components, contents and amounts either singly, jointly or collectively, are similar or analogous to any of the above and those similarly designed, or newly introduced drugs and as determined without having by the Board accordance the quantity of 25 Article XVI of this Act. * **LSD** - If the quantity involved is less than the foregoing quantities, the penalties shall be graduated as follows. * **Life Imprisonment** - If the quantity involved is less than the foregoing quantities * **Fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00)** ## Kinds of drugs | Kinds of Drugs | Grams | Penalty | | ------------ | ----- | -------- | | Methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu", or other dangerous drugs | 5g to 9g | Imprisonment of twenty (20) years and one (1) day to life imprisonment and a fine ranging from Four hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) | | Marijuana | 300g to 499g | Imprisonment of twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years and a fine ranging from Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) to Four hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00) | | Methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu", or other dangerous drugs | Below 5g | Imprisonment of twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years and a fine ranging from Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) to Four hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00) | | Marijuana | Below 300g | Imprisonment of twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years and a fine ranging from Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) to Four hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00) | ## Sections * **Section 12:** Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus and Other Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs * Penalty: * Imprisonment ranging from six (6) months and one (1) day to four (4) years * Fine ranging from Ten **thousand pesos (P10,000.00) to Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00)** * **Section 13:** Possession of Dangerous Drugs During Parties, Social Gatherings or Meetings- Any Person Found Possessing Any Dangerous Drug During a Party, or at a Social Gathering or Meeting, or in the Proximate Company of at Least Two (2) Persons * Penalty: * Life imprisonment * Fine of Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) * **Section 15:** If Apprehended Using any Dangerous Drug for the Second Time * Penalty: * Imprisonment ranging from six (6) **years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years** * Fine ranging from Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) * **Section 28:** Criminal Liability of Government Officials and Employees * Penalty: * Life Imprisonment * Absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office ## Drug Law Enforcement Agencies 1. **The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB)** * Established on November 14, 1972 * The policy-making and coordinating agency on all drug abuse-related matters including law enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation, prevention, training and information, and research and statistics. 2. **Philippine National Police - Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)** * A regular law enforcement agency. * Implementing arm of the DDB. * Responsible for efficient and effective law enforcement of all provisions on any dangerous drug and or controlled precursor and essential chemicals. 3. **National Drug Law Enforcement & Prevention Coordinating Center (NDLEPCC)** * The NDLEPCC is tasked with orchestrating and consolidating the anti-drug efforts of national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and non-government organizations (NGOs) to combat the severe drug abuse problem in the Philippines. 4. **Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC)** * Created under the Office of the President to formulate and implement a concerted program of action of all law enforcement, intelligence and other government agencies for the prevention and control of transnational crime. 5. **National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)** * Is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Justice, responsible for handling and solving major high-profile cases that are in the interest of the nation.