INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, the term drug has been associated with negative connotation as a dangerous
substance causing addiction and some other detrimental effects. Since the emergence
of “Oplan Tokhang”, the word “drugs” has been used on streets, social media, news etc.
with utter disregard of its operational definition. In general, drugs are substances that
brings physical, physiological, psychological and behavioral changes to a person. (Dascil-
Cañete, 2014)

Drugs and Drug Abuse

As defined above, drugs are substances that can cause changes to a person’s health.
However, this definition does not reflect the difference between medicinal and
dangerous drugs.

Medicinal drugs are substances that are taken to relive pain, and cure diseases. This is
usually prescribed by doctors though some can be bought without prescription.
Dangerous drugs on the other hand, are substances that specifically attacks the central
nervous system causing damage at prolonged used. This is usually addictive and illegal.
(Dascil-Cañete, 2014)

All medicines are drugs but not all drugs are medicine.

Drug abuse is the prolonged exposure of a person to drugs or excessive use of drugs
which are beyond its intended use. Abuse does not only include illegal drugs but may
also apply to drugs (medicine) that are legally available on the market. (Drugs of Abuse:
A DEA resource guide, 2017)

CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS

Drugs can be classified according to:

1. Origin
2. Legal Classification
3. Effects (Pharmacological Classification)
Drugs According to origin:

A. Natural Drugs are active components extracted from natural source such as
plants, and other living system. Example of this are marijuana and coca leaves.
B. Synthetic drugs are artificially made substances. These are produced in
laboratories from mixing different chemical compounds. Example of this
Methamphetamine and barbiturates (Rory Keane, 2006)

Drugs according to Legal Classification.

Drugs may be classified according to local law

A. Presidential Decree 1619 of 1979

- Prohibiting the possession or unauthorized sales to minor of the volatile
substances for purpose of inducing intoxication. (Official Gazzette, 2020)

B. Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 (RA 9165).

-In RA 9165, the term prohibited and regulated was changed into dangerous
drugs with three classifcations.

a. Immediate precursors are substances incorporated in the production of final

molecules of the product.

b. Essential Chemicals are substances which are used as regeants or solvents in

the production process of illegal drug. (Dascil-Cañete, 2014)

c. Narcotic, psychotropic and designer drugs.

-The term “narcotics” pertains to stimulant drugs or substances coming

from opiate, cannabis (marijuana) and cocaine. While the “psychotropic drugs”
denotes “mind altering dugs. Examples of these are Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
(LSD), ampthemines, barbiturates and other designer drugs. (A Forensic Guide
for Crime Investigators, 2017)

C. Dangerous Drug Act of 1972 (RA 6425)

- In RA 6425, the dangerous drugs are classified into three categories:

a. Prohibited Drug which include natural or synthetic drugs with the

physiologigal effects of a narcotics or a hallucinogenic drugs. Example of these are
opium and its active ingredients and derivatives, coca leaf and its derivatives, indian
hemp and its derivatives
 b. Regulated Drug includes self-inducing sedatives, hypnotic drugs and other
drugs with similar physiological effects to amphetamine. Example of these are
secobarbital, bensedrine and nitracepam

c. Volatile Substances these are substances mostly liquid which are capable of
releasing toxic vapors or fumes to induce intoxication, excitement etc. (Dascil-
Cañete, 2014)

Drugs according to its Effects (Pharmacological Effects)

The drugs may be classified according to its effects to a person’s body such as:
stimulant, hallucinogens, deppresant and inhalants.

a. Stimulants are drugs which increases alertness and speeds up body’s system.
These substances produces a sense excitement, enhance self steem, improves
physical and mental activity and creates a sense of “high”. Most of stimulants
are sold as pills, tablets powder and injectable (Drugs of Abuse: A DEA resource
guide, 2017).
Example of this are amphetamines, metamphetamine, cocaine and khat.

Amphetamine

One of the most commonly sold

stimulant is amphetamine, but some are
legally prescribed to treat ADHD. It was sold
in 1930’s as Benzidrine an over the counter
inhaler to treat nasal congestion but due to
abuse in use and uncontrolled production, it
was banned and was then declared
regulated. (Drugs of Abuse: A DEA resource
guide, 2017)

This drug can be easily made from an

over the counter drug pseudoephedeprine
which is a common ingredient of cold
medicine.

The common street names for amphetamine are bennies, crank, ice and
uppers. (Dascil-Cañete, 2014).

To know more about Amphetamine please follow this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl8Nhwn4Dz8
Cocaine

Cocaine is another stimulant drug commonly sold on

the streets. It creates an intense euphoria feeling with strong
tendency to be addictive. The dose and mode of delivery
determines how fast the drug reaches the brain creating a
euphoria feeling known as “rush”. Cocaine is a natural
stimulant derived from coca leaves which commonly grow in
areas like Columbia and Peru. The plant extract undergoes
series of chemical transformation to achieve a crystal like
appearance. (Drugs of Abuse: A DEA
resource guide, 2017).

The common street name for cocoaine are

crack, coke flakes and snow.

To know more about cocaine please follow

this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tlwW2DKzlc

Methamphetamine

Metamphetamine (meth) is a synthetic stimulant

drug. It is a potent central nervous system
stimulant that can be taken by oral ingestion or by
snorting. It is said that it releases a very high level
of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, upon reaching
the brain creating the feeling of pleasure. Other
modes of intake is though injection and smorking.
(Drugs of Abuse: A DEA resource guide, 2017)

The major effects of meth in

our body is increase in physical
activity and heart rate thus
creating hyperthermia or
overheating. This is the reason
why a person taking meth
tends to feel hotter even on
cold nights. It is also reported
that it increases wakefulness and decreases appetite. (Drugs of Abuse: A DEA resource
guide, 2017)

Some common street name for metamphetamine are meth, crystal,meth, shabu, shabs,
sha and ice. (Dascil-Cañete, 2014)

To know more about metamphetamine please follow this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bvcfc7xVnU

b. Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens are drugs which affects sensation, thinking, self awareness and
emotion. (Dascil-Cañete, 2014). These drugs can be derived naturally from
plants and some fungi or can be made synthetically in clandestine laboratories.
These drugs can tale variety of forms from tablets, pills and liquid injectables.
(Drugs of Abuse: A DEA resource guide, 2017)
Examples of these are ecstacy, Marijuana and LSD.

Ecstacy

Ecstacy is both a psychedelic and stimulant

drug which produces an energizing effect with
distortion of time and perception. (Drugs of
Abuse: A DEA resource guide, 2017)

Its chemical name is 3,4

methylenedioxymethamphetamine
and is synthetically made in
laboratories. Manufacturers may add
anything various drugs like
amphethamine and cafeine (Drugs of
Abuse: A DEA resource guide, 2017)

Its commonly found in pill form with attractive color and designs to target party
goers like young adults and adolescents. Some common names for this drug are
XTC, adam, essence, E and X. (Dascil-Cañete, 2014)

Marijuana
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug derived from Cannbis sative plant. It is
commonly grown South America, Canada, Mexico and in Asia. Some of the
 effects of marijuana are induced
pleasure, increased memory and
concentration though some of the
reported side effects are memory
loss, difficulty in concentration
and distorted perception. (Drugs
of Abuse: A DEA resource guide,
2017)

Marijuana is commonly smokes as

a crushed brown dried leaf inserted into pipes or cigarettes. It also reported that
it is included in foods and some are made into candies in some areas where it it
is legal to use. Commons names for marijuana are mary jane, flower, damo,
brownies, joint and dope. (Dascil-Cañete, 2014)
To know more about marijuana please follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2_skiJAHsQ

c. Depressants

Depressants are drugs that depresses or lower the functions of central nervous
system. (Dascil-Cañete, 2014). These drugs induces sleep ad relives muscle
spasm and anxiety. Barbiturates are older known depressant though it is known
to be unsafe and has tendency to cause coma and death. It was later replaced
by benzodiazepines which was less potent than barbiturates and available upon
prescription. Example of this are Valium, Klonopin, Ativan, and Xanax. It is
available in pill, syrups and injectable liquids. (Drugs of Abuse: A DEA resource
guide, 2017)

Depressant can be classified according to types; narcotics, tranquilizers and

sedatives.
Narcotics are drugs that induces sleep and relieves pain examples of these are
Opium, Opiates Heroin and Morphine. Tranquilizer is a type of depressant that
relaxes muscle and reduce anxiety. Sedatives and hypnotics are drugs that aids
sleep and has calming effects. It is commonly prescribed to treat sleep disorders
and in high doses acts as a anesthetics. Example of these are barbiturates and
alcohol. (Dascil-Cañete, 2014)
To know more about depressant please follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOlkogaWF3M
d. Inhalants
Inhalants are liquid, solid or mixed substances that commonly found on
households which are capable of releasing vapors or fumes that when inhaled
creates a psychoactive or mind altering effects.. Examples of this are solvent,
 glue, gasoline paint and cleaning liquids. This is known to cause brain damage
affecting thinking and perception. (Dascil-Cañete, 2014).

To know more about inhalants please follow this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smqpu_TErlg

References
A Forensic Guide for Crime Investigators. (2017, January 4). Retrieved from National
Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science: http://nicfs.gov.in/?p=15475

Dascil-Cañete, A. M. (2014). Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology. Quezon City: Wiseman's

Books Trading, Inc.

Drugs of Abuse: A DEA resource guide. (2017). Drug Enfrocement Agency: US Dept. of
Justice.

Official Gazzette. (2020, July 20). Retrieved from Ofiicial Gazzete Open Data Potal:
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1979/07/23/presidential-decree-no-1619-s-
1979/

Rory Keane, S. R. (2006). Understanding substances and Subtamce Use. Dublin West
Education Center.