Prevention of drug and alcohol abuse can

start at home. Parents can talk to their children

and abuse. Talking to children while they are
young can create a strong foundation for
awareness of drug use. Parental monitoring
has been the most effective way to slow the
expansion of drugs in family situations.

Prevention is key. Prevention is the best way to keep people

from becoming addicted to drugs. While it’s difficult to prevent
someone from taking drugs, there are certain things that each one of
us should remember to prevent drug addiction.

* Learn to deal with life’s pressures

*Don’t give in to peer pressure
*Develop close family ties
*Develop healthy habits In the
face of a disease like addiction, maintaining healthy eating habits
may seem insignificant. However, lack of nutrients combined with
drug or alcohol can put a significant amount of stress on the body.
This combination often creates disruptions to the body’s ability to
function that can lead to vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition and
death.
The best way to make an impact is to learn
about the issues that drug use and addiction create. This way, you
can educate others and raise awareness while participating in local
activities. Volunteering your time with local organizations is a great
way to raise awareness about drug and alcohol abuse, prevention
and treatment.
Understanding the impact of alcohol and other drugs is
undoubtedly invaluable strength. Knowing how drugs impact the
body, the long and short-term effects of substance abuse, and the
possible risk factors involved are all key in the prevention strategy .

AWARENESS
ADVOCACY
SYMPTOMS 9 St. Lorenzo
 The government

intensifies

further its
efforts in
combating drugs. The
following are some of
these efforts:

*Operations conducted
by different law
enforcing agencies like
PNP, NBI, PDEA and
other law enforcers.
*Strict implementation of
policies under the
COMPREHENSIVE
SANDEROUS DRUGS
ACT OF 2002 and Toktok
Hangyo (TOKHANG)
program.
*Actualization of the
Dangerous Drugs
Board’s programs in
partnership with other agencies
  Drug abuse also leads to risky and dangerous behaviors.
Some of the symptoms and consequences of drug abuse include:
* Taking risks such as riving under the influence of drugs or
alcohol
*Domestic abuse and recurrent fights
*Absence from work or school
*Inability to overcome cravings despite awareness of the harm
caused by the drug
*Lack of hygiene may be evident in addicts whose preoccupation
with a drug has led to neglect of hygiene
*Features of severe malnutrition and vitamin deficiency
*Skin infections
*Transmission of blood-borne viral infections such as HIV
DRUG USE AND ABUSE SIGNS:
PHYSICAL SIGNS
Changes in appearance can be additional clues to possible drug
use and may include
 Bloodshot or glazed eyes.
 Dilated or constricted pupils.
 Abrupt weight changes.
 Changes in hygiene.
 Dental issues.
 Skin changes.
 Problems sleeping or sleeping too much.
BEHAVIORAL
SIGNS
Changes in behavior, such as the following, are sometimes
associated with problematic substance use.
 Increased aggression or irritability.
 Changes in attitude/personality.
 Lethargy.
 Depression.
 Sudden changes in a social network.
 Dramatic changes in habits and/or priorities.
 Involvement in criminal activity.

BROCURE
ABOUT DRUGS
PREVENTION
BIANCA G. PEREQUITE