Drug

education
TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 02 03 04
The Drug The Drug How is it What must be
Problem Solution affecting the done to suppress
youth? the drug
problem?
 BREAKOUT ROOM 1
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE DRUG PROBLEM OF THE
PHILIPPINES?
 BREAKOUT ROOM 2
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE DRUG SOLUTION OF THE PHILIPPINE
GOVERNMENT?
 BREAKOUT ROOM 3
HOW IS ILLEGAL DRUGS AFFECTING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE?
 BREAKOUT ROOM 4
WHAT IS THE REMAINING GAP THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED TO
EFFECTIVELY RESPOND TO THE DRUG PROBLEM?
The Drug Problem
According to the Dangerous Drugs Board
(DDB) (the government agency mandated to
formulate policies on illegal drugs in the
Philippines), there are 1.8 million current drug
users in the Philippines, and 4.8 million
Filipinos report having used illegal drugs at
least once in their lives

More than three-quarters of drug users are

adults (91%), males (87%), and have reached
high school (80%). More than two-thirds (67%)
are employed.
Types of Illegal Drugs in the Philippines
● Methamphetamine
● Ecstasy
● Cannabis
● Cocaine
● Heroin
 Complications
● Methamphetamine, opiates and cocaine are highly addictive and cause multiple
short-term and long-term health consequences, including psychotic behavior,
seizures or death due to overdose.
● Ecstasy or molly (MDMA) can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and
complications that can include seizures. Long-term, MDMA can damage the brain.
● One particular danger of club drugs is that the liquid, pill or powder forms of these
drugs available on the street often contain unknown substances that can be
harmful, including other illegally manufactured or pharmaceutical drugs.
● Due to the toxic nature of inhalants, users may develop brain damage of different
levels of severity.
The Drug Problem
The most commonly used drug in the
Philippines is a variant of methamphetamine
called shabu or “poor man’s cocaine.”

According to a 2012 United Nations report,

the Philippines had the highest rate of
methamphetamine abuse among countries in
East Asia; about 2.2% of Filipinos between
the ages 16–64 years were
methamphetamines users.
 The Response
During the first six months of the Duterte Presidency (July
2016–January 2017):
● 43,593 operations that covered 5.6 million houses
● 53,025 “drug personalities” arrested
● 1,189,462 persons “surrendering” to authorities
● 79,349 drug dealers
● 1,110,113 drug users
 The Response
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165 June 7, 2002

AN ACT INSTITUTING THE COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT

OF 2002, REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6425, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 1972, AS AMENDED, PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
 ARTICLE IV

Participation of the Family, Students, Teachers and School Authorities in the Enforcement
of this Act

Section 41. Involvement of the Family. – The family being the basic unit of the Filipino
society shall be primarily responsible for the education and awareness of the members
of the family on the ill effects of dangerous drugs and close monitoring of family
members who may be susceptible to drug abuse.

Section 43. School Curricula. – Instruction on drug abuse prevention and control shall
be integrated in the elementary, secondary and tertiary curricula of all public and
private schools, whether general, technical, vocational or agro-industrial as well as in
non-formal, informal and indigenous learning systems.
DRUGS: A SECURITY ISSUE OR A
HEALTH ISSUE?
The drug problem in the Philippines has primarily been
viewed as an issue of law enforcement and criminality,
rather than a health issue.
 A Health Response
DATRCs
As of 2018, there were only 53 licensed Drug Abuse Treatment and
Rehabilitation Centers (DATRCs) nationwide, only 15 of which are operated by the
DOH.
 What should the priorities be..
● drug control policies and strategies that incorporate
evidence-based, socially acceptable, cost-effective, and
rights-based approaches
● the primacy of the sanctity/value of human life and the
value of human dignity, social protection of the victims of
drug abuse and illegal drugs trade must be our primary
concern
● address the root causes of the illegal drug problem in the
Philippines utilizing the aforementioned affirmations
 What can young people do?

1. Call on the government to address root causes of the

drug issue
2. Work on addressing roots causes within your control
3. Spread awareness about the dangers of using illegal
drugs
4. Learn about the dangers of using illegal drugs
5. Help in transforming the stigma against drug dependents
 Symptoms of Drug Addiction
Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:

● Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day
● Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
● Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
● Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
● Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
● Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it
● Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or
recreational activities because of drug use
Symptoms of Drug Addiction (Cont..)

● Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in your life or causing
you physical or psychological harm
● Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
● Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
● Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of
the drug
● Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
● Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug
 How to recognize?
● Problems at school or work
● Physical health issues
● Neglected appearance
● Changes in behavior
● Money issues