1.

Schools and drug abuse prevention

What is drug abuse prevention?
“Drug abuse prevention“ is a commonly used term, but what does it really mean? And
what does it mean to schools? “Drug prevention“ or “drug abuse prevention“ has three
main components: Demand reduction strategies These strategies aim to reduce the desire
and willingness to obtain and use drugs and to prevent, reduce or delay the uptake of drug
use. They may include abstinence-oriented strategies. Supply reduction strategies These
strategies aim to disrupt the production and supply of illicit drugs, as well as limit the
access and availability of licit drugs in certain contexts. In the school setting this includes
measures taken to limit the use, possession and sale of illicit drugs on school premises.
Strategies to mitigate the negative health and social consequences of drug use These
strategies aim to reduce the impact of drug use and drug-related activities on individuals
and communities. The role of the school in drug abuse prevention It is possible, and
desirable, for schools to be concerned with drug demand reduction, drug supply reduction
and mitigating the health and social consequences of drug use, with the major focus on
demand reduction. However, education authorities should not accept sole responsibility
for changing student health behaviours, including reducing drug use. Schools may well
be able to influence drug use behaviour and it is hoped that they will do so. However, it is
the primary role of the school to teach skills, to impart knowledge and to establish a
sound values base in relation to health and drug use, not to change behaviours that may
be determined by factors beyond the influence of the school.

Schools, therefore, should not make change in health behaviours of students, particularly
drug use behaviours, the only measure of the success or effectiveness of drug prevention
programmes. Schools can and should report to the community on the achievement of
educational outcomes that have been identified as contributing to the achievement of the
broader health goals of preventing drug use and reducing adverse consequences to
individuals and society. School-based education for drug abuse prevention Education for
drug abuse prevention in schools may be defined as the educational programmes,
policies, procedures and other experiences that contribute to the achievement of broader
health goals of preventing drug use and abuse. Education for drug abuse prevention
should be seen to include both formal and informal health curricula, the creation of a safe
and healthy school environment, the provision of appropriate health services and support
as well as the involvement of the family and the community in the planning and delivery
of programmes. The components of a school-based drug abuse prevention education and
intervention programme The educational components of a school drug abuse prevention
programme are the following: A programme based on the guiding principles for school-
based education for drug abuse prevention as set out in chapter 2 that forms a core
component of the school curriculum and focuses on equipping young people with
information about drugs, the life skills necessary to enable them to deal with different
situations without turning to drugs, the ability to resist pressure to use drugs and an
understanding of what drugs are A safe and supportive school environment made possible
by a set of clearly communicated policies and procedures that provides care, counselling
and support for all students and ensures a cooperative approach among staff, students,
parents, and related professionals, agencies and the police

1. Pursuant to Section 43 of Article IV of R.A. No. 9165 otherwise known as the

“Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”, the Department of Education
 reiterates its support to the National Drug Education Program (NDEP) with the
school head fully responsible for its effective implementation (p. 110 of IRR).
2. The NDEP is a comprehensive educational program which provides for a holistic
approach to the problem of drug abuse. It was designed to enable all sectors to
work collaboratively, with the school system as the core, thereby, unifying all
sectoral endeavors. It has five (5) components: a) curriculum and instruction; b)
co- curricular and ancillary services; c) teacher/staff development; d) parent
education and community outreach; and e) research, evaluation and monitoring.
It is implemented in schools to create awareness on the ill effects of abusing
drugs and to develop among students positive behavior and lifeskills to resist
drugs. References on NDEP may be made to several department issuances –
DECS Memorandum No. 62, s. 1988, DECS Memorandum No. 388, s. 1995,
DECS Memorandum No. 499, s. 1997, and DECS Memorandum No. 277, s.
1997.

The effects of drugs will vary from person to person depending on the persons
characteristics (such as physical size, gender, mood, diet, fitness, age,
expectations and health), the drug itself (such as the amount used and its purity),
and how it is taken and the environment a person is in when using the drug.

Some people become depressed, angry, aggressive, sleepy, unmotivated,

paranoid, anxious or talkative. Drug use can also lead to social and emotional
problems and negative effects on relationships with family and friends.

A drug is any substance (with the exception of food and water) which, when
taken into the body, alters the body’s function either physically and/or
psychologically. Drugs may be legal (e.g. alcohol, caffeine and tobacco) or illegal
(e.g. cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin).

Psychoactive drugs affect the central nervous system and alter a person's mood,
thinking and behaviour. Psychoactive drugs may be divided into four categories:
depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens and 'other'.

Effects of drug abuse and addiction

Drugs are chemicals that affect the body and brain. Different drugs can have different
effects. Some effects of drugs include health consequences that are long-lasting and
permanent. They can even continue after a person has stopped taking the substance.
There are a few ways a person can take drugs, including injection, inhalation and ingestion.
The effects of the drug on the body can depend on how the drug is delivered. For example,
the injection of drugs directly into the bloodstream has an immediate impact, while ingestion
has a delayed effect. But all misused drugs affect the brain. They cause large amounts of
dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate our emotions, motivation and feelings of
pleasure, to flood the brain and produce a “high.” Eventually, drugs can change how the
brain works and interfere with a person’s ability to make choices, leading to intense cravings
and compulsive drug use. Over time, this behavior can turn into a substance dependency,
or drug addiction.
Today, more than 7 million people suffer from an illicit drug disorder, and one in four deaths
results from illicit drug use. In fact, more deaths, illnesses and disabilities are associated
with drug abuse than any other preventable health condition. People suffering from drug
and alcohol addiction also have a higher risk of unintentional injuries, accidents and
domestic violence incidents.

What is drug abuse?

Clinically known as substance use disorder, drug abuse or addiction is caused by the
habitual taking of addictive substances. Drugs include alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens
and opioids. Substance use disorder is a disease, causing people to compulsively use
drugs despite consequences.

THE EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE ON

HEALTH
Substance use disorders are associated with a wide range of short- and long-term health
effects. They can vary depending on the type of drug, how much and how often it’s taken
and the person’s general health. Overall, the effects of drug abuse and dependence can be
far-reaching. They can impact almost every organ in the human body.
Side effects of drug addiction may include:
 A weakened immune system, increasing the risk of illness and infection
 Heart conditions ranging from abnormal heart rates to heart attacks and collapsed
veins and blood vessel infections from injected drugs
 Nausea and abdominal pain, which can also lead to changes in appetite and weight
loss
 Increased strain on the liver, which puts the person at risk of significant liver damage or
liver failure
 Seizures, stroke, mental confusion and brain damage
 Lung disease
 Problems with memory, attention and decision-making, which make daily living more
difficult
 Global effects of drugs on the body, such as breast development in men and increases
in body temperature, which can lead to other health problems
The most severe health consequences of drug abuse is death. Deaths related to
synthetic opioids and heroin have seen the sharpest rise. In the past 12 months,
212,000 people aged 12 or older have used heroin for the first time. Every day, more
than 90 Americans die after overdosing on opioids.
EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION ON THE
BRAIN
All drugs–nicotine, cocaine, marijuana and others–affect the brain’s “reward” circuit, which
is part of the limbic system. This area of the brain affects instinct and mood. Drugs target
this system, which causes large amounts of dopamine—a brain chemical that helps
regulate emotions and feelings of pleasure—to flood the brain. This flood of dopamine is
what causes a “high.” It’s one of the main causes of drug addiction.
Although initial drug use may be voluntary, drugs can alter brain chemistry. This can
actually change how the brain performs and interfere with a person’s ability to make
choices. It can lead to intense cravings and compulsive drug use. Over time, this behavior
can turn into a substance dependency or drug and alcohol addiction.
Alcohol can have short- and long-term effects on the brainand disrupts the brain’s
communication pathways. These can influence mood, behavior and other cognitive function.
Brain damage may also occur through alcohol-induced nutrition deficiencies, alcohol-
induced seizures and liver disease. In pregnant women, alcohol exposure can impact the
brains of unborn babies, resulting in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
It is reported that alcohol-induced brain problems can often be corrected with proper
treatment. Abstinence from alcohol for months or years can help partially repair thinking
abilities, like memory skills.

DRUG EFFECTS ON BEHAVIOR

Substance use disorders can lead to multiple behavioral problems, both in the short- and
long-term, which can include:
1 PARANOIA
2 AGGRESSIVENESS
3 HALLUCINATIONS
4 ADDICTION
5 IMPAIRED JUDGMENT
6 IMPULSIVENESS
7 LOSS OF SELF-CONTROL
These effects of drug abuse have serious consequences, like missed work, punishable
offenses, accidents and injuries. In fact, alcohol and drugs are partly to blame in an
estimated 80 percent of offenses leading to jail time in the U.S. These incidents include
domestic violence, driving while intoxicated and offenses related to damaged property.
Legal and illegal drugs excluding alcohol are involved in about 16 percent of motor vehicle
crashes. In the past year, almost 12 million people drove under the influence of illicit drugs,
and almost 4,000 fatally injureddrivers tested positive for drug involvement.
 EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE ON UNBORN
BABIES
Illicit drug use poses risks for pregnant women and their babies. Drugs may contain
impurities that can be harmful to an unborn baby. Pregnant women who use drugs may be
more likely to harm the fetus with risky behaviors and poor nutrition. Drug use can lead to
premature birth or low birth weight. It can also cause the baby to have withdrawal symptoms
(sometimes in the form of neonatal abstinence syndrome), birth defects or learning and
behavioral problems later in life.
An estimated 14 percent of adults with an illicit substance use disorder reported receiving
treatment in the past year. At Gateway Foundation, we offer treatment programs for all
levels of drug addiction. Give us a call at 877.377.2027 to find out how we can help.

How Does Shabu Affect the Body?

Short-term effects of the use of this drug:

 Dizziness/ confusion
 Feelings of euphoria and elation
 Decreased appetite
 Increased alertness
 Increased heart rate and blood pressure
o Stroke
o Death
 Severe mood swings, irrational thoughts and/or behavior
 Feelings of anxiety, panic attacks
 Paranoia
 Psychosis
 Feelings of anger/ irritability
o Violent behavior
 Hallucinations
o Sensation of skin crawling
 Obsessive behaviors
 Convulsions/ seizures

Long-term effects of the drug use

 Restlessness/ insomnia
 Addiction, which then leads to…
o Social withdrawal and relationship problems
 Weight loss/ malnutrition
 Tooth decay
 Scabs and body sores (especially on face) as a result of obsessive picking
 Brain damage (similar to that of Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and epilepsy
patients)
o Memory loss
o An inability to grasp abstract concepts
 Breakdown of muscle
 Liver damage
 Kidney damage
 Death

Symptoms of Shabu Abuse

The more severe symptoms of shabu abuse are sweating, hypertension,

hyperthermia, insomnia, irritability, psychosis, tremors, seizures and an
increased heart rate.

The effects of shabu can last for hours with abusers sometimes suffering from
tremors or insomnia for days. The initial high is much shorter and depending
on how the drug is taken, can last between 2-20 minutes. As the high wears
off, further symptoms such as paranoia and delusion reveal themselves.

Lethargic behavior is also very common after taking the drug, due to the
sudden loss of focus and energy. Further fatigue and an ever increasing
craving for shabu are also common experiences after the effects of the drug
have worn off.

Shabu is another name for methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as

crystal meth. Meth is a highly addictive stimulant that causes its user
irreversible harm, physically and mentally. Usually, the drug is used to create
a sense of euphoria, increase wakefulness, and physical activity. In addition, it
suppresses appetite. Shabu can be snorted, smoked, injected and dissolved
in water.
Short-term effects may include:
 increased attention and decreased fatigue

 increased activity and wakefulness

 decreased appetite

 euphoria and rush

 increased respiration

 rapid/irregular heartbeat

 hyperthermia