THE SOCIAL

Menace of Drug Addiction

 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this chapter, the students are
expected to:
define drug and drug addiction;
enumerate some common illegal
substances and their adverse effects on
the user; and
express commitment to the prevention
and fight against drug addiction.
 This chapter focuses on the social
OVERVIEW

problem called drug addiction.

People have always been curious
about the world and experiment
with anything and everything to
make life better and more
comfortable. Scientists have
discovered remdies that can treat
pain and illness and promote good
health and longer life.
 In modern society, drugs treat
OVERVIEW

medical and psychological

disorders. To determine whether a
substance is a drug is to know its
uses. For example, alchohol is a
beverage, but it is also considered
a drug used for relaxation to
remove inhibitions, or stimulate
appetite.
Coloma (2004) states that drug dependence is
the overuse of a drug without due regard to
accepted medical practice resulting in the
individual's physical, mental, emotional, or
behavioral impairment.

Drug is defined as follows according to the

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA):
 1 . Clinical Definition
drug is a therapeutic substance other than food
used in prevention, alleviation, treatment, or
cure of disease in humans or animals.
2 . General Definition
drug is a substance aside from food intended to
affect the structure of function of a
physiological system like the human body.
3 . Popular Definition
drug refers mainly to chemical or plant-derived
substances that affect the body's psychological,
behavioral, or physical functions and leads to
varying degrees of dependence or addicition.
drug addiction pertains to dependency on drug.
drugs change the way the body and the brain
functions.
thus, it is wise to know that not all drugs are
harmful or are always safe.
 ADDICTION
is not having control or doing, taking,
or using something, until it becomes
harmful. Commonly, there are
dependencies on alcohol or drugs, but
you can also become addicted to
everything from gambling to
chocolates. Being addicted to
something means having a difficult
time without it during the day.
CLASSIFICATION
of Dangerous Drugs
According to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, there are
two classes of dangerous drugs:

1. Prohibited drugs which include all drugs that produce

psychological effecrs of narcotics or those that relieve
pain and induce sleep (cocaine, LSD, marijuana, opium
and its derivatives, etc.)
2. Regulated drugs which include self-inducing sedatives
like barbiturates, amphetamines, or other hypnotic
drugs or compounds producing the same physiological
effects
COMMON
Drug Types
A. MARIJUANA
the term used to describe all that comes
from cannabis plant (cannabis sativa)
like leaves, tops, stems, flowers, and
roots. These are dried and prepared for
smoking or taken orally as "brownies".
this has psychoactive effect. It is taken
into the body in the form of smoke or
vapor and can also be consumed and
mixed into food or steeped in
 MARIJUANA
the mind-altering component of marijuana
is the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
which is concentrated in the resin.
smoked cannabis produces a dreamy state
of consciousness in whuch ideas seem
disconnected, unanticipated, and free-
flowing. In general, a feeling of well-being
and relaxation is experienced. Panic
reactions usually occur, particularly to new
users.
ADVERSE
EFFECTS
ADVERSE EFFECTS
1. Impairement of memory and short-term
cognitive functioning, particularly
mathematical, reading, and verbal
comprehension skills.
2. Impairement of motor skills which may lead
to accidents and respiratory problems such
as bronchitis or lung cancer.
3. Premature babies, low birth weight, abortion,
or still birth (neonatal death)
4. Panic or state of anxiety, sometimes
accompanied by paranoia.
ADVERSE EFFECTS
5. Motivational syndrome as the regular ise of
marijuana dulls the mind of the smoker, blunts
enthusiasm, and takes away drive or urge.
6. Burnout as the user can become dull, slow-
moving, inattentive, and unaware of his/her
surroundings.
7. Susceptibility of infections
8. Decreased sperm production and altered sperm
shape and mobility
9. Decreased testosterone level, so that pre-
teenagers are at an increased risk of temporary loss
of fertility
B. METHAMPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE
(SHABU) is a type of amphetamine also known
as "poor man's cocaine". Its other
names are shabu, ubas, siopao, sha,
and ice. It is white, odorless crystal or
crystalline powder wiith a bitter,
numbing taste.
abusers are knownn to take this drug
by ingestion: inhalation (chasing the
dragon), sniffing (snoting), or
injection.
ADVERSE
EFFECTS
ADVERSE EFFECTS
1. Anxiety, tension, irritability, irrational
behavior, talkativeness, and loss of
self-control
2. Loss of appetite and inability to sleep
3. Euphoria, elation
4. Acute psychotic reactions, violent and
destructive behavior, and recklessness
that may result in accidents
PHYSIOLOGICAL
EFFECTS
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

these include chest pains; irregularity

of heartbeat; elevated or lowered
blood pressure, evidence of weight
loss, convulsion, and death from
cardiac arrest.
LONG-TERM
EFFECTS
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
psychiatric consequences are the major feature
of chronic "shabu" abuse and dependency.
some chronic users have difficulty in
concentrating and remembering things.
chronic shabu snorters may suffer from severe
irritation of nasal passages and at times, may
even develop tissue perforation of the nasal
septum, so that they become prone to frequent
nosebleed.
injecting shabu from contaminated needles
may lead to poisoning (septicemia) and AIDS
which can lead to death.
C. INHALANTS
inhalant abuse is the deliberate inhalation of
volatile chemical substance that contains
psychoactive (mind/ mood-altering) vapors
causing a state of intoxication.
inhalants also include fluorinated
hydrocarbons found in aerosols such as
hairspray, spray paint, and household
cleaners.
as the name suggests, inhalants refer to a
group of drugs that are inhaled in the form of
a gas or solvent,
IMMEDIATE
EFFECTS
IMMEDIATE EFFECTS

1. confusion
2. disorted perception of time and
distance
3. aggressive behavior/ violence
4. hallucinations
5. illusions
6. nausea and vomiting
7. drowsiness
DELAYED
EFFECTS
DELAYED EFFECTS

1. loss of memory
2. inability to think
3. muscle cramps and weakness
4. numbness of limbs
5. abdominal pains
6. damage to the central nervous
system, kidney, liver, and possibly,
the bone marrow
D. ECSTASY methylenedioxymethamphetamine
(MDMA) commmonly known as
"ecstasy", "x-tc", "adam", and "eden
tablet", refers to the drugs such
chemical composition, including any
of its isomets or derivatives in any
form.
the term used for a group of
"designer" drugs closely related in
chemical form to the amphetamine
family of illicit drugs.
ADVERSE
EFFECTS
ADVERSE EFFECTS
1. fatigue and, perhaps, depression after the
drug is stopped
2. restlessness, anxiety, and pronounced visual
and auditory hallucinations at large doses
3. nausea and vomiting
4. rise in blood pressure and heart rate, or death
from heart failure or stroke
5. prolonged regular use can lead to the same
long-term effects as those of synthetic
stimulants, including a potential for
neurotoxicity and brain and liver damage
E. OPIATES/ NARCOTICS

opiates, sometimes called narcotics, are a group of

drugs that are used medically to relieve pain but
have a high potential for abuse.
opiates that are commonly abused are opium,
morphine, codeine, and synthesized or
manufcatured opiates.
E. OPIATES/ NARCOTICS

opium refers to the coagulated juice of the opium

poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) and embraces ever
kind, class, the character of opium, whether crude or
prepared; the ashes or refuse of the same; narcotic
preparations thereof or therefrom; morphine or any
alakaloid of opium is used as an ingredient; opium
poppy; poppy straw; and leaves or wrappings or opium
leaves, whether prepared for use or not.
F. COCAINE
a drug from the leaves of the Erythroxylon coca
plant, a shrub that originated from South
America. This drug affects the central nervous
system as a stimulant
cocaine exaggerates changes caused by at least
two brain chemicals- noradrenaline and
dopamine- increasing alertness and causing
euphoria.
G. SEDATIVES

sedative-hypnotics such as tranquilizers,

sleeping pills, and sedatives are drugs which
depress or slow down body functions. These
drugs can be dangerous when taken without a
physician's prescription or instructions.
H. STEROIDS

anabolic steroids are not the same as the kind used in

medicine for reduction of inflammation. Rather, these
substances are used to build muscle mass and
strength. They typically consist of male sex hormones
and can be very damaging when used without a
medical prescription.
I. TOBACCO

is often smoked in the form of

cigarettes or cigars or chewed. It
contains nicotine which is a stimulant
and a highly addictive substance that
has been known to cause cancer and
other disease.
J. NICOTINE
tobacco was introduced in America in the late 5th
century. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, nicotine
is absorbed through the lungs and reaches the
brain in about seven seconds.
nicotine works by mimicking the actions of a
naturally occuring brain chemical-acetylcholine-
by docking with its special receptor molecules.
Some of these nicotine receptors in the brain
active part of the "pleasure center", which could be
responsible for nicotine's euphoric effects.
REASONS BEHIND
DRUG ABUSE
1. curiosity
2. social influences (peer preasure)
3. new sensations, for example, the effects of ecstasy
which include increased energy and confidence
4. rebellion and willingness to take risks especially when
teenagers take illegal substances that their parents
strongly disapprove
5. escapism. Alcohol and other drugs are used as a means
of avoiding problems associated with family life, school
or work frustrations, friendship and relationship
difficulties, low self-esteem, and depression
SIGNS OF
DRUG DEPENDENCY
The following manifestastions of drug use require
attention and appropriate action from the parent of the
user.

1. Mood swings or explosive outbursts

2. Staying out late or not coming home at night
3. Frequent absences from work or school, or declining
work or school performance
4. Unexplained need for money or sudden loss of money
and valuables
5. Less extracurricular activities, social withdrawal, and
minimal interaction with the family
6. Sudden or noticeable change in friends
7. Tiredness or changes in sleeping pattern
8. Changes in eating patterns
9. Impaired memory and poor concentration
10. Blood-shot or glassy eyes
11. Lethargy and loss of motivation
12. Deterioration of physical apperance and grooming

If you suspect someone of using drugs, talk to

him/her about it. He/she may not want to talk about
it right away, but if he/she feels that you will listen
then he/she will agree to talk to you.
CONCLUSION
there are several reasons why a person takes
prohibited drugs. The probability of becoming too
much dependent on these illegal substances leads
a person to manifest behavior, mental reasoning,
and habits that are negatively affecting the way
he/she treats his/her family, other people around
him/her, the society where he/she lives, and most
especially himself/herself.
CONCLUSION
drug dependency is extremely hazardous to a
person's health, the people who care for him/her
and to his/her future as well.
a drug dependent can still be saved from his/her
present situation as long as there are people who
are willing to listen, understand and help him/her
full recovery is achieved.
THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING

no to drugs mga b3H, owki?