LIST OF PROHIBITED DRUGS IN THE THEIR DEFINITIONS AND ILL-EFFECTS

PHILIPPINES

1. METHAMPETHAMINE Methamphetamine, a.k.a. Shabu, also goes by

the names Crack meth, Ice, Crystal meth, Tik,
and Yaba.

Methamphetamine belongs to a group of

drugs called amphetamine-type stimulants.
Like ecstasy, it is manufactured in illegal
laboratories and sold in powder, tablet or
crystal form. It could be swallowed, sniffed,
smoked or injected.

The UNODC says meth produces a feeling of

physical and mental wellbeing, euphoria, and
exhilaration. Users experience a temporary
boost in energy, often perceived to improve
their performance of manual or mental tasks,
along with delayed hunger and fatigue. At
times, they become more aggressive and
violent.

Over the short term, users tend to lose their

appetite, start to breathe faster, and sweat
due to increased heart rate, blood pressure,
and body temperature.

Taking in large doses would make users feel

restless and irritable and could induce panic
attacks. Taking in excessive doses could result
in convulsions, seizures, and death from
respiratory failure, stroke or heart failure.

Long-term use could also lead to

malnutrition, weight loss, and psychological
 dependence.

Stopping its use results in a long period of

sleep, followed by depression.

2. ECSTACY Ecstasy goes around by the names E, Snackies

and New Yorkers. The drug, usually made in
illegal laboratories, consists of a range of
substances that make it dangerous to
consume. It comes in the form of tablet,
powder or capsule and is usually swallowed,
but could also be snorted or injected.

Ecstasy increases users’ empathy levels and

induces a feeling of closeness to people
around them. It makes them feel more
sociable and energetic. Short-term use of
ecstasy prompts the body to ignore distress
signals such as dehydration, dizziness, and
exhaustion, and interferes with the body's
ability to regulate temperature. It could also
severely damage the liver and kidneys and
could cause convulsions and heart failure.

In large doses, ecstasy could cause

restlessness, anxiety and severe
hallucinations. Long-term use damages
certain parts of the brain, bringing about
serious depression and memory loss.

3. CANNABIS Cannabis is known by many names -- Bongo,

Ganja, Grass, Pot or Thai sticks. Its most
famous name, however, is Marijuana, or Mary
Jane.

Cannabis, a tobacco-like greenish or

brownish substance made of dried flowering
tops and leaves of the cannabis plant, is
usually smoked, but its resin and oil could
also be swallowed or brewed in tea.
 According to the UNODC, cannabis smoke
contains 50 percent more tar than high-tar
cigarettes, putting users at an increased risk
of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

After taking cannabis, users feel relaxed and

sometimes euphoric, with an intensified
sense of sight, smell, taste, and hearing.

Short-term use makes them experience

increased appetite and pulse rate, and an
impaired ability to perform physical and
mental tasks, such as driving a car and
thinking logically.

With large doses, users’ thinking slows down

and they become confused and have bouts of
anxiety, panic, and psychotic episodes.

The UNODC said that regular users of

cannabis run the risk of developing
psychological dependence to the point that
they lose interest in all other activities, such
as work and personal relationships.

4. COCAINE Cocaine is known as Crack, Bazooka, Blanche,

Cake, Coke or Lady. It is a fine white or off-
white powder extracted from the leaves of
the coca plant.

The UNODC said that on the street, cocaine is

diluted with other substances, such as
ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking
soda), to increase its quantity and produce
crack.

Cocaine is usually sniffed or injected, while

crack is usually smoked. After snorting
cocaine, users feel exhilarated and euphoric,
leading to increased energy levels and
alertness, along with delayed hunger and
 fatigue.

Short-term use results in loss of appetite,

faster breathing, increased body temperature
and heart rate. Users may act strangely,
erratically and at times violently.

Ingesting large doses of cocaine could cause

convulsions, seizures, stroke, cerebral
hemorrhage or heart failure. Long-term use of
cocaine damages the nose tissue and leads to
respiratory problems, abscesses, and
infectious diseases.

Other risks include strong psychological

dependence, malnutrition, weight loss,
disorientation, apathy and a state similar to
paranoid psychosis. Mixing cocaine with
alcohol is dangerous and could lead to sudden
death.

5. HEROIN Heroin is also called Smack, H, Horse, Junk,

Harry and White Lady. Heroin is a painkiller
processed from morphine, which comes from
the opium poppy plant.

Pure heroin is a white powder, but street

heroin is brownish white. This highly addictive
drug is usually injected, but could also be
snorted, smoked or inhaled.

Heroin could relieve tension, anxiety, and

depression, including physical distress or pain.

According to the UNODC, its short-term

effects include constricted pupils, nausea,
vomiting, drowsiness, inability to concentrate
and apathy.

Long-term effects, meanwhile, include severe

weight loss, malnutrition, constipation,
 menstrual irregularity, sedation and chronic
apathy. Users could develop a tolerance for
the drug, making them ingest more to achieve
the effect they want.

Overdosing on heroin could lead to coma and

death through respiratory depression.
Abruptly quitting heroin leads to severe
withdrawal symptoms, such as cramps,
diarrhea, tremors, panic, runny nose, chills,
and sweats.

6. LSD Also known as Acid or Hippie, LSD is a semi-

synthetic drug made from lysergic acid, which
is found in a fungus that grows on rye and
other grains.

Dealers often sell it in squares of blotting

paper with drops containing the drug, but
also in the form of tablets, capsules, and
liquid. The colorless and odorless drug is
often swallowed and has a slightly bitter
taste.

According to the UNODC, LSD use leads to

strong changes in thought, mood, and senses,
along with feelings of empathy and
sociability. Its exact effects, however, vary,
depending on the mental state of the user
and the environment when taking the drug.

Over the short term, users experience

delusions and distorted perceptions in terms
of time and color, severe and terrifying
thoughts and feelings, such as fear of losing
control, insanity, death, and despair. Users
manifest dilated pupils, increased heart rate
and blood pressure, dry mouth and tremors.
They lack appetite and are sleepless. (PNA)