THE DANGEROUS

DRUGS
General Drug Classification
1. According to Effects
The dangerous drugs are classified as:
 Depressants – these are group of drugs that
has the effect of depressing the central
nervous system.
 These are drugs which suppress the vital
functions especially those of the brain or
central nervous system with the resulting
impairment of judgment, hearing, speech and
muscular coordination. They dull the minds,
slow down the body reaction to such an extent
that accidental deaths and/or suicides usually
happen.
 These drugs, when taken in, generally
decrease both the mental and the physical
activities of the body. They cause depression,
relieve pain and induce sedation or sleep and
suppress cough.
 Narcotics – these are drugs which relieve pain
and produce profound sleep or stupor when
introduced to the body. Medically, they are potent
painkillers, cough depressants and as an active
component of anti-diarrhea preparations. Opium
and its derivatives like morphine, codeine, heroin
as well as synthetic opiates, meperidine and
methadone are classified as narcotics.
 Opium – it was derived from a poppy plant –
Papaver Somniferum, popularly known as
gum, gamut, kalamay or panocha. A plant
that can grow from 3 – 6ft in height originally
in Mesopotamia. Its active ingredient is the
meconic acid – the analgesic property.
 Morphine – it is most commonly used and
best used opiate. Effective as a painkiller, 6
times potent that opium, with a high
dependence – producing potential. Morphine
exerts action characterized by analgesia,
drowsiness, mood changes and mental
clouding.
 Heroin – it is 3 to 5 times more powerful
than morphine from which it was derived
and the most addicting opium derivative.
With continued use, addiction occurs
within 14 days. It may be sniffed on
swallowed but is usually injected in the
veins.
 Codeine – it is a derivative of morphine,
commonly available in cough preparations.
These cough medicines have been widely
abused by the youth whenever hard
narcotics are difficult to obtain. Withdrawal
symptoms are less severe than other
drugs.
 Paregoric – this is a tincture of opium in
combination with camphor. It is commonly
used as a household remedy for diarrhea
and abdominal pain.
 Demerol and Methadone – common
synthetic drugs with morphine – like
effects. Demerol is widely used as a
painkiller in childbirth while methadone is
the drug of choice in the withdrawal
treatment of heroin dependents since it
relieves the physical craving for heroin.
 Barbiturates – they are drugs used for
inducing sleep in persons plagued with
anxiety, mental stress and insomnia. They
are also of value in the treatment of
epilepsy and hypertension. They are
available in capsules, pills or tablets and
taken orally or injected.
 Seconal – it is commonly used among
hospitality girls. Sudden withdrawal from
these drugs is even more dangerous than
opiate withdrawal. The dependent
develops generalized convulsions and
delirium, which are frequently associated
with heart and respiratory failure.
 Tranquilizers – these are drugs that calm
and relax and diminish anxiety. They are
used in the treatment of nervous states
and some mental disorders without
producing sleep.
 Volatile solvents – these are gaseous
substances popularly known to abusers as gas
and teardrops. Examples are plastic glues, hair
spray, fingernail polish, lighter fluid, rugby, paint,
thinner, acetone turpentine, gasoline, kerosene,
varnishes and other aerosol products. They are
inhaled by the use of plastic bags, handkerchief
or rags soaked in these chemicals.
 Alcohol – this is the king of all drugs with potential
for abuse. It is considered the most widely used,
socially accepted and most extensively legalized drug
throughout the world. In the field of medicine, it is
valuable as disinfectant as an external remedy for
reducing high fever among children, and as
preservative and solvent for pharmaceutical
preparations like elixirs, spirits and tincture.
2. Stimulants - these are group of drugs having
the effect of stimulating the central nervous
system.
 Amphetamines – they are used for weight
reducing in obesity, relief of mild
depression and treatment.
 Cocaine – this is the drug taken from the
coca bush plant – Erythroxylon Coca
which grows in South America. It is usually
in the form of powder that can be taken
orally, injected or sniffed as to achieve
euphoria or an intense feeling of highness.
 Caffeine – it is present in coffee, tea,
chocolate, cola drinks and some wake –
up pills.
 Shabu – it is chemically known are
methamphetamine hydrochloride. It is a
central nervous system stimulant and
sometime called upper or speed. It is
white, colorless crystal or crystalline
powder with a bitter numbing taste. It can
be taken orally, inhaled (snorted), sniffed
(chasing the dragon) or injected.
 Nicotine – it is an active component in
tobacco which acts as a powerful stimulant
of the central nervous system. A drop of
pure nicotine can easily kill a person.
3. Hallucinogens - these are group of drugs
that are considered to be mind-altering drugs
and give the general effect of mood distortion.
 Marijuana – it is the most commonly abused
hallucinogen in the Philippines because it can be
grown extensively in the country. Many users choose
to smoke marijuana for relaxation in the same way
people drink beer or cocktail at the end of the day.
The effects of marijuana include a feeling of
grandeur. It can also produce the opposite effect, a
dreamy sensation of time seeming to stretch out.
 Lysergic Acid Diethylamide – this drug is the most
powerful of the psychedelics obtained from ergot, a
fungus that attacks rye kernels. LSD is 1,000 times
more powerful than marijuana as supply, large
enough trips can be taken from the glue on the flab of
an envelope, from the hidden areas inside one’s
clothes.
 Peyote – it is derived from the surface part
of a small gray brown cactus. Peyote emits
a nauseating odor and its user suffers from
nausea. This drug causes no physical
dependence and therefore, no withdrawal
symptoms; although in some cases
psychological dependence has been
noted.
 Mescaline – it is an alkaloid
hallucinogen extracted from the peyote
cactus and can also be synthesized in
the laboratory. It produces less nausea
than peyote and show effects
resembling those of LSD although
milder in nature.
 STP (Serenity, Tranquility and Peace) – it is
a take-off on the motor oil additive. It is a
chemical derivative of mescaline claimed to
produce more violent and longer effects than
mescaline dose. Its effects are similar to the
nerve gas used in chemical warfare. It is less
potent than LSD although its effects are
similar to those of psychedelics.
 Psilocybin – this hallucinogenic alkaloid from small
Mexican mushrooms are used by Mexican Indians
today. These mushrooms induced nausea, muscular
relaxation, mood changes with visions of bright colors
and shapes and other hallucinations. These effects
may last for four to five hours and later may be
followed by depressions, laziness and complete loss
of time and space perceptions.
 Morning Glory Seeds – the black and brown seeds
of the wild tropical morning glory are used to produce
hallucinations. The seeds are ground into flour,
soaked in cold water then strained through a cloth
and drunk. They are sold under the names of
heavenly blues, flying dancers and pearly gates. The
active ingredient in the seed is similar to LSD
although less potent. The reactions are likened to
those resulting from LSD. Prolonged psychosis is
also one of its effects.
2. According to Medical Pharmacology, dangerous
drugs are classified as:
1. Stimulant – it is a psychoactive drug which induces
temporary improvements in either mental or physical
function or both. It is also known as UPPERS that
affects the central nervous system. Its possible results
are alertness, wakefulness, locomotion, and excitation.
METHAMPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE (SHABU) –
stimulates and alerts the body. It is referred to as POOR
MAN’S COCAINE because it is cheap.
 It is the first synthetic stimulant drug developed by
the Japanese, originally called as KAKUZEIZAI, a
Japanese term which means KAKUZEI “waking” and
ZAI “drugs”.
 It is white colorless drug that is bitter and
results into a numb ling face.
 It is can be inhaled, injected, or orally taken
intravenously or muscular
Immediate Effects:
 Produces anxiety, irritability, irrational behavior,
talkativeness and loss of self-control;
 Loss of appetite and inability to sleep;
 Produces violent and destructive behavior and
recklessness; and
 Produces chest pain, irregularity of heart beat
and hypertension
Long Term Effects:
 Psychosis
 Convulsion
 Death from cardiac arrest
COCAINE – it is odorless white crystalline
powder also known as COKE, SNOW, FLAKE,
WHITE, BLOW, NOSE, CANDY, SNOWBIRD,
LADY and BIG C.
 - Most popularly known as KING’S HABIT
because it is expensive.
 It has been structured in 1814 from Brazilian Coca
Leaves – Erythroxylon Coca that is medically used in
tropical, local and anesthetic.
 When ingested, the person becomes high for 15-30
minutes.
 When injected, the person becomes high for 45-90
minutes
 It can be also applied to sex organ during sexual
intercourse.
Kinds of Cocaine
 Cocaine Hydrochloric – it is an odorless fine white
crystalline that is most readily available formed which
is medically used as anesthetic.

 Street or Rock – it is the large pieces of cocaine

hydrochloride.
 Free Base – it is the purified substance of rocks that
is strongly addictive cocaine.

 Coca Paste – it is a crude product smoke used in

South America, considered as the most dangerous
drug because it has contaminants such as kerosene.
Immediate Effects:
 Dilated pupils
 Elevated blood pressure, heart rate and body
temperature
 Euphoric effect or light feeling
 Feeling of being energetic and alert
 Loss of appetite and slurred speech
Long term effects:
 Psychosis
 Lung damage
 Occasional or runny nose
 Ulcerate the mucous membrane of the nose
 Confusion
METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE (MDMA) –
it is a designer drug, also known as ECSTACY, PARTY
DRUG or X.
Immediate Effects:
 Euphoria
 Feeling energetic and hyperactive
 Sense of well being
Long Term Effects:
 Brain damages
 Hard complications
 Death
2. DEPRESSANTS – it depresses and weakens the
body. It is also known as DOWNERS, HYPNOTIC
DRUG and SEDATIVES that affects the central nervous
system.
BARBITURATES
 1863 Adolph Von Baeyer synthesized malonyl
carbonide known as BARBITUTIC ACID
 1903 Emil Fisher and Joseph Bon Mering
synthesized di-ethyl barbituric acid compound with
hypnotic qualities known as BARBITONE that comes
from eurea and malonic acid that is marketed on the
trade name of VERONAL that comes in the form of
tablet and capsule.
Commonly Abused Barbiturates:
 Pento Barbital Sodium – it is a solid yellow capsule
form known by abusers as YELLOW JACKETS or
NIMIES.
 Seco Barbital Sodium – it is a red capsule form
known by abusers as REDS, RED BIRDS, RED
DEVIL and SEGGY.
 Amo Barbital Sodium – it is a blue capsule form
known by abusers as BLUE BIRDS, BLUE DEVIL
and BLUE HEAVENS.
 Amo Barbital Sodium combined with Seco
Barbital Sodium – it is red and blue capsule form
known as RAINBOWS, RED & BLUE and DOUBLE
TROUBLE.
Symptoms of Abuse:
 Drunkenness without alcoholic threats
 Slurred speech
 Impaired judgment
 Stagery
 Altered perception and coordination
Immediate Effects:
 Psychological and physical dependence
 Unconsciousness
 Tuberculosis
 Death from withdrawal and overdose
METAQUALONE – It is also known as TABLET or MAX and
CAPSULE or BLUE.
 It is used to induce sleep which is bitter in taste and odorless
that is taken orally.
Local Terms:
 Korta
 Ekis
 Kulit
 Pety
 Yanga
Symptoms of Abuse
 Drunkenness without alcoholic threats
 Cloudy thinking
 Staggering
 Loss of appetite
 Numbness of body
Immediate Effects:
 Psychological dependence
 Proneness to accident due to intoxicant
3. HALLUCINOGENS – it affects the way we
think, the sensation, self-awareness and
emotions that causes hallucination and
delusions to the person taking drugs. It is also
known as PSYCHEDELICS and
DISSOCIATIVES that affects the central
nervous system.
MARIJUANA
 Most popularly known as 5 FINGERS, GRASS,
TUNGKI, GANJA, BHANG, DAMO, MARY JANE,
ACAPULCO GOLD
 parts of the plants whether growing or not the seeds
thereof, the resin extracted from any parts of such
plant every compound salt derivative, mixture or
preparation of such plant.
 It scientific name is Cannabis Sativa Linn

Major Components
 Tetra Hydro Cannabenol – it is purple and
most active alkaloid and one causing
hallucinogenic effect.
 Cannabenol – it is red and physiologically
inactive.
 Cannabidiol – it is pink and physiologically
inactive.
Forms of Marijuana
 Marijuana Joints or Cigarettes – It came
from dried leaves, tops and most available
form of marijuana.
 Hashish or Hash – it is the resin extracted of the
plant usually granular or solid chunky in form ranging
from mustardy yellow to dark brown. It is stronger
than crude marijuana and maybe smoked or eaten.
 Hashish Oil – it is the highest form of marijuana that
is not usually available because it is expensive. Is it
brown in color and considered as concentrated
cannabis.
Immediate Effects:
 Faster heartbeat and pulse rate
 Blood shut eyes
 Dry mouth and throat
 Altered sense of time and disorientation
 Forgetfulness
 Inability for coordination and lower reflexes
Long Term Effects:
 Chest pain
 Irregularity of menstrual cycle
 Temporary loss of fertility of both sexes
 Premature babies and low birth weights
 Cancer of the lungs
LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE (LSD) – it is the
most powerful of all hallucinogens that is 100 times
stronger than cocaine or peyote. It came from the Rye
Ergot or cereal fungus that is odorless, colorless,
tasteless organic compound.
 It became popular during 60’s – 70’s as the height of
the hippies culture.
 It can be orally injected or liquid drop in the eyes.
Immediate Effects:
 Cause hallucinations and trans-like stage
 Dilated pupils, elevated temperature and tremors
 Increase in blood pressure and heart rate
 Sweating, chills and trembling of hands
 Distortion of perception
Long Term Effects:
 Psychological dependence
 Psychosis
MESCALINE – trimethoxyphenethyiomine
 It is the primary ingredients of peyote cactus
in plants known as as Lophophora William Si
in US and Mexico.
 Also known as BUTTONS, CACTUS, MESC
 Used by American Indians in inter-religious
ceremonies.
 When it is consumed in 350 – 500mg, it will
produce delusion and hallucination for 5-12
hours.
 Can be ingested or taken orally, chewed or
placed in capsule and even brewed in tea.
Immediate Effect:
 Induces sense of well-being
 Visions in color
 Hallucination or trans-like
Long Term Effects:
 Psychological dependence
PSILOCYN and PSILOCYBIN
 came from Mexico PSILOCYBE mushroom.
 Known as MAJIC MUSHROOM that is use in
Indian rites for centuries
 Usually chewed and swallowed
 When consumed with 4-8 mg, it will last for 4-
6 hours
Immediate Effect:
 Induces sense of well-being
 Visions in color
 Hallucination or trans-like
Long Term Effects:
 Psychological dependence
KETAMINE
 its chemical name is KETAMINE
HYDROCHOLORIDE
 Its common name is SPECIAL K or K
 Use as human anesthetics
 It is used as general anesthetic for children,
people of poor health and veterinary
medicine.
 It is a liquid bought in pharmacy that is
cooked into a powder or snorting.
 Lower dosage will cause mild creamy feeling
of numbness and extremities
 High dosage will produce hallucinogenic
effect and may cause the user very far from
his body.
 The experience will be called entering “K”
hole
 If snorted, effects comes to 5-10 minutes
 If injected intramuscular, effects comes in 4
minutes, it can never be injected to the vein.
 If ingested, can be felt within 10-20 minutes
MORNING GLORY KEEPERS or SEEDS –
commonly abuse because of its hallucinogenic
effect that caused behavioral changes having
an active principal component of the seeds
closely related with LSD.
4. NARCOTICS – It is a drug that produces
insensibility, stupor and produces sleep due to
depressant effect.
OPIUM – derived from the plant opium poppy
with botanical name PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM
 Also called as PARIGORIC, DOVER’S
POWDER, PAREPECTULIN
 The word “papaver” comes from the Greek
means “poppy”
 The word “somniferum” comes from the Latin
means “dream or induce sleep”
 It is called as the plant of joy
 It grows from 3-6 ft, roots and flowers of
different colors
 Greek physician Hippocrates prescribed juice
of opium poppy as a treatment for sickness
as early of 500 BC
 It can be smoked or eaten
 Opium is obtained by incision or cutting of
blunt instrument either vertically or
horizontally which allows the milky juice to
seep from the plant.
 Thee refined opium will turn into morphine.
MORPHINE
 it is a derivative from opium
 It is raw opium named after Mopphius
(Greek)
 Referred to as a dream for sleep
 Also called as PECTORAL SYRUP and
SWEET MORPHEOUS
 It can be injected taken orally and even
smoked
 10 kg of raw opium will produce 1kg of
morphine
 Small dosage will cause euphoria and
tolerance rapidly
HEROIN
 it is another derivative from opium
 Referred to as the strongest of all opium
derivatives because it is sensitized from
morphine
 Derived from the word HERO
 It suggest courage, daring and impressive
power
 Its chemical name is diacetyl morphine also
known as smack, horse, brown sugar, junk,
mud, bid H, Hab Tar
 It can be injected, inhaled through nasal
passage or smoke
CODEINE
 it is a synthetic drug
 Another opium derived from morphine that is
intended to cure morphine heroine and opium
addicts
 It is widely use using to cup syrup a day
 It can be taken orally or injected
METADONE or DEMORAL
 it is known as DOLLY, DOLOPHINE,
METHADOSE, AMIDONE
 It is a synthetic opiates which synthesized
medically to reduce heroin addiction
 It is the most commonly abuse by hard core
addicts
5. TRANQUILIZERS – it has the ability to
sedate or calm without producing sleep also
known as SEDATIVES that affects the central
nervous system.
 PHENOTHIAZINES and RESERPHINE – it is
considered as a potent tranquilizer but it does
not cause dependency. It is also anti-
psychotic and a feeling being relief.
 MOPROBOMATE and CHLODIAZEPOXIDE
– it is a minor tranquilizer and chronic abuse
will lead to psychic and physical dependence
6. SOLVENTS – it produces intoxication also
known as DELIRIANTS.
 a) GLUE – produce dizziness, stupor,
vomiting and unconsciousness
 b) LIGHTER FLUID – induce euphoria
 c) GASOLINE – it is more toxic than lighter
fluid but effects are the same
 d) ETHER – it is the distilled or diluted alcohol
and highly flammable. It is also difficult for
users to obtained, produces symptoms of
euphoria
3. According to Legal Categories (In accordance to
RA 6425 – The Dangerous Drug Act of 1972)
 Prohibited Drugs
 Narcotics – refers to the group of the drug opium
and its derivatives, Morphine, Heroin, and
Codeine including synthetic opiates.
 Stimulants – refers to the group of the drug
Cocaine, Alpha and Beta Eucaine, etc.
 Hallucinogens – refers to the group of
drugs like Marijuana, LSD, mescaline etc.
 Regulated Drugs
 Barbiturates – refers to the group of depressant
drug known as”Veronal” like Luminal, Amytal,
Nembutal, Surital, Busitol, Pethontal, Seconal, etc.
 Hypnotics – are group of drugs such as Mandrax,
Quaalude, Fadomir and others.
 Amphetamines – are group of stimulant drugs like
Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Methedrine, Preludin, etc.
 Volatile Substances
The group of liquid, solid or mixed
substances having the property of releasing toxic
vapors or fumes which when sniffed, smelled,
inhaled or introduced into the physiological system
of the body produces or induces a condition of
intoxication, excitement or dulling of the brain or
nervous system. Examples of these drugs are glue,
gasoline, kerosene, ether, paint, thinner, etc.