Drug Abuse FAQs (PDF)

FAQ’s about the nature of Drug Abuse (cont.) 7. What is a drug abuser? Anyone can be a drug abuser. Drug abuse is no respecter of age, sex, and social status. 8. How can you tell when one is abusing drugs? A lot of changes-in behavior, appearance, and in mood. Occurs in person who is abusing drugs....

FAQ’s about the nature of Drug Abuse (cont.) 7. What is a drug abuser? Anyone can be a drug abuser. Drug abuse is no respecter of age, sex, and social status. 8. How can you tell when one is abusing drugs? A lot of changes-in behavior, appearance, and in mood. Occurs in person who is abusing drugs. Sudden changes occurs in the person’s disposition from pleasant to unpleasant. The individual is: Is often associated with known drug abusers; Is irritable, discourteous, defiant and aggressive; Is untrustworthy and lack self-confidence; Is unhealthy and unconcerned with good grooming; FAQ’s about the nature of Drug Abuse (cont.) Has low frustration tolerance; Lacks interest in his/her studies or work; Blames anybody but himself/herself for his problems; Develops changes in normal capabilities in school/work Borrows money and at times steals various items unusually National Drug Situation The Philippine government attributes the deterioration of the countries law and order and the disintegration of the social fabric of society partly to the advent of dangerous drugs. Drug trafficking is profitable underground business which has spawned other crimes and source of money laundering on global scale. Commonly Abused Drugs 1.Methamphetamine Hydrochloride. Is found to have harmful effects to the brain functions, reduces motor skills and impaired verbal learning Street name: Shabu, ice, crystal, kristal, basura, tawas 2. Ecstasy. An illegal drug that contains thew active ingredient 3,4- methylendioxymethampetamine (MDMA). It is related to stimulants and hallucinogens and produces both effects on mood and senses, which made it a popular ‘party drug’. 3. Marijuana. The United Nations International Drug Control Program has identified the Philippines as a major marijuana producer and exporter. Commonly Abused Drugs Shabu Ecstasy Marijuana Drug-Trafficking Shabu or Methamphetamine hydrochloride is the most prevalent drug in the country, seized in majority of anti-drug operations. Drug-Trafficking Involvement of Foreigners in Drug Trafficking Mainly apprehended for selling illegal drugs, 49.35% of the total arrest for year 2013 are Chinese nationals, followed by Taiwanese at 12.99% of the arrests. Drug-Trafficking Transit points of drugs A huge portion of shabu that enters the Philippines comes directly from Southern China where most of the shabu laboratories are located. Identified landing points are the shorelines of Northern and Central Luzon regions and Tagalog Regions Facts and Figures The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is responsible in preventing, investigating, and combating any dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals within the Philippines. The agency is tasked with the enforcement of the penal and regulatory provisions of R.A. Act No. 9165 otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Learning Outcomes: At the end of this lesson, the student should have been able to: 1. Investigate the nature and effects of drugs of abuse, including alcohol, tobacco, and other substances, on personal health and social relationships; 2. Analyze accurate information about the health, legal, and social consequences of drug and substance abuse, and assess how it negatively impacted the user, their family, friends, and community; and 3. Recognize the significance of their role in the prevention and control of drug and substance abuse. Myth versus Facts (cont.) 4. Everybody is taking drugs Fact: Everybody is not using drugs; those who are using it are far less likely to have happy and productive lives than those who remain drug-free. 5. Only weak individuals become addicts. Fact: The reverse is true: addicts become weak individual 6. Drug abuse is a victimless crime. It only hurt the users Fact: The family of the drug users suffers disharmony and pain in witnessing the self-destruction of a loved one. The consumer ultimately suffers for the cost of drugs by buying inferior goods at higher prices. The taxpayers suffer because it is their money which is needed to support the governments, law enforcement officials, the community, society, and nation suffer in all of the above. Myth versus Facts (cont.) 7. If a person wants to take frugs, governments should not interfere Fact: No individual has an inalienable right to behave in a manner destructive to others. 8. All drug addict should be imprisoned Fact: imprisonment of a drug addict as such does not solve the problem. Placing an addict in a prison cell does not cure the disease and when the addict is released, he will usually return to a destructive and deviant lifestyle. 9. The cultivation of a drug crops gives a poor farmer a chance to make money. Fact: the farmer is breaking the law and usually knows it. This kind of illegal activity creates an artificially-based cash economy making the farmer completely dependent on the influx of money from drug dealers. Myth versus Facts (cont.) 10. Peddling drugs is one way the poor can earn money. Fact: The money they earn does not help them or their families. Most drug peddlers become addict themselves. 11. Drug use is a way of life in some countries. Fact: It is not a way of life in other countries. Statistics shows that in areas where drug is common, economic development can be seriously retarded. The Comprehensive Drug Act The Comprehensive Drug Act is the intensive and unrelenting campaign against the trafficking and use of dangerous drugs, and other similar substances through integrated system of planning, implementation, and enforcement of anti-drug abuse policies, programs, and projects. R.A. 9165 is an act instituting the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002 repealing R.A. No. 6425, known as the dangerous Drugs Act of 1972. P.D. 1619- Volatile Solvents Responsibilities of CHED and TESDA CHED & TESDA provide continuing in-service training for teachers on drug education; continuous monitoring of the effectiveness of drug education; secure funds from local and foreign donors for the implementation of drug education programs TESDA Integrates drug abuse prevention concepts in all of their courses and instructional materials. Drug-Abuse Prevention and Control should be part of the school curricula according to Article IV Section 43 of R.A. 9164. Topics such as adverse effects of drug abuse; preventive measures against drug abuse; health, social-cultural, psychological, legal and economic dimensions and implications of drug abuse; misconceptions about drug abuse; and the difference between medical patience and drug dependents in order to avoid confusion and stigmatization. Youth & Government’s Response to the Drug Problem Legislation for Illicit Drugs 1972 -The Dangerous Drugs Act was established 2002 - The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act was implemented The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency was established An integrated Drug Abuse Data Information Network was created to monitor the drug abuse/use. Government Response to Problems Preventive education programs Treatment and rehabilitation programs Intensified campaign against illegal drugs Judicial and legislative measures National, international, and regional cooperation to fight illegal trafficking and abuse of dangerous drugs Drug testing Drug information action line 10 Ways To Say No to Drugs Be vocal. Just say “NO” to drugs Project an image of clean living to yourself Get into sports Choose your friends and influence them positively Get involve into a community-based projects Join organizations or youth clubs or form drama- group Learn how to manage stress Join seminars or anti-drug -abuse seminars Talk to your family, listen to the problems of your brothers and sisters Enhance your talent or skills by taking part on workshops, trainings, and seminars As responsible youth today, always be strong and remember: S - teadfast personality  T- rustworthy in words and deeds R - espectable in relating with others O - pen minded in facing situations N - oble character G - ustily actions and ideas Learning Outcomes: At the end of this lesson, students should have been able to: 1. Synthesize accurate information on the health, legal, and social consequences of drug and substance abuse; 2. Assess how this negatively impacted the person who used the drug, as well as their family, friends, and community; and 3. Recognize the importance of one's role in the prevention and control of drug and substance abuse.