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"Most drug users start their habit early,
usually during their teenage years. They are
particularly susceptible to the drug
experience because adolescence is a period
of experimentation, exploration, curiosity,
and search for identity."

- General Edgar C. Galvante, Ret. Executive

Director of Dangerous Drugs Board
THE CONCEPT OF DRUG
ADDICTION - ITS SIGNS AND
SYMPTOMS
 Many people misguidedly view drug abuse
as a social problem that characterizes
those who take prohibited substances as
morally weak. But the truth is that drugs
alter people's brains to intensify the
abuse of these substances.
DRUG ADDICTION

• A condition characterized by an overwhelming desire to continue

taking a drug to which one has become habituated through
repeated consumption because it produces a particular effect,
usually an alteration of mental status.
• Addiction is usually accompanied by a compulsion to obtain the
drug, a tendency to increase the dose, a psychological or physical
dependence, and detrimental consequences for the individual and
society (The Free Dictionary by Farler).
 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF
DRUG USE
There are many signs, both physical and behavioral, that indicate drug use. Each
drug has its own unique manifestations, but there are some general indications
that a person is using drugs:
• Sudden change in behavior
• Mood swings: irritable and grumpy and then suddenly happy and bright
• Withdrawal from family members
• Careless about personal grooming
• Loss of interest in hobbies, sports, and any other favorite activities
• Changed sleeping pattern: up at night and sleeping during the day
• Red or glassy eyes
• Sniffly or runny nose
Re p u b l i c A c t N o .
9165
 Any chemical agent alters the biochemical or physiological processes of
tissues of organism, which means if you ingest drugs. It changes the function
or the structures of any part of your body. If it’s a psychoactive substance it
alters the process or the brain's systems.
A drug with curative properties.
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 “The youth's involvement in the anti-drug campaign.is a necessary step.

Recognizing diversity as an advantage rather than a setback is likewise an

essential call for the youth to contribute to the campaign against this menace.”

Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto

 Don't be afraid to say no

Sometimes, our fear of negative reaction from

our friends, or others we don't even know,
keeps us from doing what we know is right.
Real simple, it may seem like "all others are
doing it,” but they are not. Don't let someone
else make your decisions for you. If someone
is pressuring you to do something that's not
right for you, you have the right to say no, the
right not to give a reason for your refusal, and
the right to just walk away.
 Connect with your friends and avoid
negative peer pressure
Pay attention to whom you are hanging out with. If
you are hanging out with a group in which the
majority of kids are drinking and using drugs to get
high, you may want to think about making some
new friends. You may be headed toward an
alcohol and drug problem if you continue to hang
around others who routinely drink alcohol, smoke
marijuana, abuse prescription drugs, or use illegal
drugs. You don't have to go along to get along.
 Make connections with your parents or
other adults
As you grow up, having people you can rely on,
people you can talk to about life, life's challenges,
and your decisions about alcohol and drugs is very
important. The opportunity to benefit from
someone else's life experiences can help put
things in perspective and can be invaluable.
Enjoy life and do what you love - don't add
alcohol and drugs:
Learn how to enjoy life and the people in your life,
without adding alcohol or drugs. Alcohol and drugs
can change who you are, limit your potential, and
complicate your life. Too often, “I'm bored” is just
an excuse. Get out and get active in school and
community activities, such as music, sports, arts,
or a part-time job. Giving back as a volunteer is a
great way to gain perspective on life.
Follow the family rules about alcohol and
drugs
As you grow up and want to assume more control
over your life, having the trust and respect of your
parents is very important. Don't let alcohol and
drugs come between you and your parents.
Talking with mom and dad about alcohol and drugs
can be very helpful.
 Get educated about alcohol and drugs

You cannot rely on the myths and misconceptions

that are out there among your friends and on the
Internet. Your ability to make the right decisions
includes getting educated.
Be a role model and set a positive example

Don't forget, what you do is more important than

what you say! You are setting the foundation and
direction of your life; where are you headed?
 Plan ahead

As you make plans for the party or going out with

friends, you need to plan ahead. You need to
protect yourself and be smart. Don't become a
victim of someone else's alcohol or drug use.
Make sure that there is someone you can call
 Speak out/speak up/take control

Take responsibility for your life, your health, and

your safety. Speak up about what alcohol and
drugs are doing to your friends, your community,
and encourage others to do the same.
 Get Help!

If you or someone you know is in trouble with

alcohol or drugs, get help. Don't wait. You don't
have to be alone
 Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD, Peer Groups
Against Drugs)

As an effective peer-based preventive education and

information program to counter the dangers and ill effects
of drug abuse, the Board has institutionalized the BKD
program to enlist the participation of more in- and out-of-
school youth, and eventually organize them into a
movement of young people who are catalysts within their
peer ground in advocating a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
 National Youth Congress on Drug Abuse
Prevention and Control.
This annual three-day live in Congress is designed to
provide an open and comfortable atmosphere for fun, real
work, and innovative strategic planning to address the drug
problem in the respective localities of the youth
participants. A team of anti-drug advocates and facilitators
provide participants the opportunity for positive
discussions/dialogues, structured learning activities,
workshops, and inputs. The team approach is employed
throughout the congress to foster teamwork, learning,
camaraderie, and harmonious relationship of youth
delegates.
 Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
Program.
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program (DARE) is
being enhanced to complement the implementation of
NDEP. DARE offers a variety of activity-oriented
techniques, which are designed to encourage student
generated responses to problem-solving situations,
specifically on drug abuse. This is being implemented in
collaboration with the Philippine National Police.
 Kids Against Drugs Program.

To bring the anti-drug advocacy to the children, the DDB

participates in the annual celebration of the Children's
Month every October. The DDB conducts the Kids Against
Drugs program, a primary prevention activity that aims to
inculcate the skills of “Saying 'No' to children as a firm
foundation for preventive education.
 National Drug Education Program (NDEP).

This program, which is currently implemented in

elementary and secondary schools, in cooperation with
DDB-member agency DepEd, entails five components -
curriculum and instruction, cocurricular and ancillary
services, teacher and staff development, parent education
and community outreach, and research, evaluation, and
monitoring - which is comprehensive in nature and
provides a holistic approach to the problem of drug abuse.
It is designed to enable all sectors to work collaboratively,
with the school system as the core, thereby, unifying all
sectoral endeavors.
 Drug Abuse Prevention Program for the
Transport Groups.
This is a primary prevention activity involving the public
transport groups designed to ensure the safety, well-being
of the commuters and pedestrians by having drug-free
transport personnel. Cooperating agencies are the DDB,
DOLE, DOH, PDEA, LTFRB, LTO, and the Philippine
Global Road Safety. It seeks to reduce the incidence of
drug related vehicular accidents, promote public order and
safety one streets, and organize anti-drug patrols among
drivers and some other transport personnel.
 Nationwide Caravan of Youth Against
Drugs.
This new advocacy program, done in partnership with
DDB-member-agency National Youth Commission, aims to
intensify youth empowerment efforts to zero-in on drug
abuse. The project coverage includes six (6) key cities of
the country, namely, Metro Manila, Davao, Cebu,
Zamboanga, Naga, Cagayan De Oro, and Baguio City.
Read the lyrics of the song entitled “Anak” by Freddie Aguilar. Reflect on its message and fill
in the table below with both positive and negative traits from the song which are related to
you. For your negative traits, provide ideas on how to correct them.
Anak by Freddie Aguilar

Nung isilang ka sa mundong ito

Laking tuwa ng magulang mo Means to Correct the
At ang kamay nila ang iyong ilaw
Positive Traits Negative Traits
Negative Traits
At ang nanay at tatay mo'why
Di malaman ang gagawin minamasdan
Pati pagtulog mo
At sa gabi'why napupuyat ang iyong nanay
Sa pagtimpla ng gatas mo
At sa umaga nama'why kalong ka ng iyong
Amang tuwang-tuwa sa yo'
Ngayon nga ay malaki ka na
Nais mo'why maging Malaya
Di man sila payag walang magagawa
Ikaw nga ay biglang nagbago
Nagging matigas ang iyong ulo
At ang payo nila'y sinuway mo
Di mo man lang inisip na ang
Kanilang ginagawa'why para sa yo
Pagka't ang nais mo'why másunod
Ang layaw mo dimo sila pinapansin
Nagdaan pa ang mga araw
At ang landas mo'why maligaw
Ikaw ay nalulong sa másama bisyo
At ang una mong nilapitan
Ang iyong inang lumuluha
At ang tanong nila ANAK, ba't ka nagkaganyan?
At ang iyong mata'why biglang lumuha
Ng di mo napapasin pagsisisi at sa isip mo't nalaman
Mong ika'y nagkamali
Directions: Construct an essay to explain the quotation by Billie Holiday, “Dope
never helped anybody sing better or play music better or do anything better. All
dope can do for you is kill you – kill you the long, slow, hard way.”

Rubric for Paragraph Writing:

Content – 15 pts
Organization – 15 pts
Total – 30 pts
As an NSTP student, prepare a pledge of undertaking that will enhance your role
as youth in the eradication and suppression of illegal drugs in the country.

Rubrics:
Content – 15 pts
Organization – 15 pts
Total – 30 pts