Health – Topic 1: Prevention of Substance use and abuse (drug scenario)

LESSON 1: DRUG SCENARIO IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FACTORS THAT

INFLUENCE SUBSTANCE USE AND ABUSE
- According to the Dangerous drug Board (DDB), Philippines has an estimate of 1.8 million
drug users in 2015.
- The Nationwide Survey on the Nature and Extent of Drug Abuse in the Philippines stated
that the current drug use prevalence among Filipinos aged 10 to 69 years old comprise
around 75% of the total Philippines populations as of 2015.
- As the Philippine President’s combat on drugs continues, DDB with the help of other
government agencies will use the result of the recent survey on the drug scenario of the
country to resolve the problem.

Profile of Filipino Drug Users

Ratio of users (male to female): 10:1

Mean Age: 28 years old
Civil Status: Single (58.2%)
Employment Status: Unemployed
Educational attainment: High School Level
Average Monthly Household Income: Php 16, 290.80
Duration of Drug Use: 6 years and above
Residence: Urban users
Nature of Drug Use: Poly-drug use (multiple drug use)
Common Drugs of Abuse Used:
- Shabu (1st)
- Marijuana (2nd)
- Inhalants (3rd)
Drugs- any substance or chemical which when taken into the body either nasal, oral,
transdermal or intravenous way have psychological, emotional and behavioral effects on a
person.
Drugs of Abuse- these are drugs that are commonly abused by users such as shabu,
marijuana and inhalants.
Drug Dependence- it is a cluster of physiological, behavioral and cognitive phenomena of
variable intensity in which the use of a drug takes on a high priority thereby creating a
strong desire to take the substance.
Drug Misuse- it is the use of a substance incoherent of inconsistent with the prescribed
dosage or frequency.
Drug Abuse- It is a patterned use of a substance for non-medical purposes. It leads to
damage of organs like brain and liver, and may cause addiction and other troubled
behavioral patterns.
Drug Tolerance- it is the condition of the body to adapt to the effects of substances to the
body thus requiring an even larger amount of the substance to experience the same
physiological and mental effect experienced when taking the smaller dosage.
Risk and Protective Factors for Drug Use, Misuse, Abuse and Dependence
Risk factors - increase the chance of a person to consume drugs and protective factors
decrease drugs usage. These factors consist of influences in the different domains of life.
- Use of drugs at an early age PERSONAL - Self-control behavior
- Risk-taking behavior - Good reasoning skills
- Experimentation - Excellent social skills
- Poor social skills and - Positive interaction with
interaction people
- Childhood problems - Sense of belonging
- Feelings of isolation

- History and patterns of drug FAMILY - Good communication with

use. people
- Attitudes toward drug use - Positive Family relationship
- Poor parenting and child - Clear and consistent family
rearing rules
- Inconsistent family rules - Strong family values
- Poor family values
- Poor family ties
- Association with peers and PEER AND FRIENDS - Association with peers and
friends known to use gateway friends who do not use
drugs (cigarettes and alcohol) gateway drugs.
- Preference to stay with - Formation of friendships
peers and friends than with - Reliance on friends for
family emotional support
- Inviting friends at home to
know the family
- Poor academic performance SCHOOL - Good to excellent academic
- Lack of commitment to performance
studies - Joins extracurricular
- Poor attendance in school activities and school
- Involvement in fights and organizations
conflicts - Show interest in attending
 classes
- Easy access to gateway COMMUNITY - Strong community
drugs relationships
- Poor community - Active and positive
organization and community programs, projects
neighborhood relationships and activities for youth
- Poor implementation of - Positive attitude which
community laws combat drug use
- Negative attitudes which - Strong community advocacy
favor drug use against drugs

Different Types of Drugs of Abuse

1. Depressant Drugs- slow down the central nervous system which includes the brains,
spinal cord and nerves. It is commonly prescribed to help certain person to be less angry,
less stressed or tensed because it relaxes muscles and nerves.
2. Stimulant Drugs- it is the opposite of depressant drugs. It speeds up the central nervous
system and makes the person’s energy high. Its effect are depression and tiredness.
Examples are amphetamines, shabu, caffeine, nicotine and cocaine.
3. Narcotics- these drugs relieve pain and induce sleepiness. Doctors administer the
consumption of theses drug in moderation to patients with mental disorders and suffering
from severe pain like cancer. These may be illicit and dangerous once taken.
Examples are cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.
4. Hallucinogens- these drugs distort reality and facts. It makes a person see, hear and
feel things that don’t exist once taken.
Examples are lysergic acid, diethylamide, psilocybin obtained from mushrooms and
mescaline.
5. Inhalants- these drugs are commonly found at home. Its intoxication is similar with
alcohol intoxication. It has foul smell of chemical when sniffed, inhaled or huffed by a
person.
Examples are acetone, rugby or solvent, ordinary and spray paint, cleaning fluids and air
conditioner fluid.
LESSON 2: DRUGS OF ABUSE: ITS HARMFUL EFFECTS, THE TRUTH, AND
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS
- Drug of abuse enhances your brain function.
- Drug of abuse helps to digest the food taken.
- Drug of abuse makes the user fearless and dauntless.
- Drug of abuse helps the person to solve life’s problems and worries.
- Drug of abuse increases body temperature.
FACTS
- Some certain drugs actually shut down the brain. Some of the abusers tell that they
performed very well after taking the drugs but it really does not improve the function of your
brain.
- Drug of abuse does not help in the digestion of food. Instead, it produces stomach linings
that results to ulcer.
- This may take correctly but drug abusers may be put in a dangerous and life-threatening
situation because when they are under the influence of the substance, they may have poor
judgment and wrong inhibition.
- Drug of abuse does not help a person to solve life’s problems and worries. Instead, it may
worsen the situation and make the problem even harder to solve.
- When the substance is taken, it makes the veins wider or larger near the skin that makes
the user feel body heat and loses it faster than the normal.
DRUG ABUSER'S PROFILE
I decline interest in studies and work
I am identified with known drug users.
I have negative outlook in life.
I have uncontrolled irritation.
I often feel paranoia or fear that people always stalk and talk about me.
I have severe feeling of depression and loneliness.
DRUG ABUSER'S PROFILE
My eyes are red.
I experience sudden weight loss.
I often complain of headache and stomach pains
I often experience convulsions.
There is a frequent attacks of cough and runny nose.
My fingertips have brown.
DRUG ABUSER'S PROFILE
I often have foul body smell.
I used to wear sunglasses even at night.
I often complain of over fatigue both mentally and physically.
I am frequently involved in pettyfights and crimes.
I frequently change moods andexperience extreme mood swings
I have lousy physical appearance.
DRUG ABUSER'S PROFILE
I frequently loss of balance.
I lost my interest in sports and hobbies.
I have poor judgment and loss of inhibition.
And lastly, I lose concentration at everything.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Drugs of Abuse

Depressants
Short-term Effects Long-Term Effects
- Slow brain function which leads to - Mental Disorders
temporary loss of memory - Hypertension
- Poor judgement - Cardiovascular diseases
- Confusion and irritability - Brain stroke
- Nausea - Liver disease
- Slurred Speech - Coma and Death
- Poor Coordination
- Depression

Stimulants
Short-term Effects Long-Term Effects
- Increased heart and pulse rate - Hyperactivity
- Increased breathing rate - Heart attack
- Increased digestive processes - Brain stroke
- Loss of appetite - Kidney and Liver damage
- Alert body responses - Coma and Death
- Sleeping disorders
- Euphoria

Narcotics
Short-term Effects Long-Term Effects
- Euphoria - Development of diseases like hepatitis,
- Loss of appetite tetanus, and HIV-AIDS due to needle sharing
- Vomiting - Overdose leading to coma
- Restlessness - Constipation
- Chills and shaking - Impotence
- Loss of weight
- Slowed breathing
- Panic attacks
 Hallucinogens
Short-term Effects Long-Term Effects
- Euphoria - Flashback
- Hallucination - Sometimes violent
- Poor judgement of time and distance - Severe panic attack
- Inability to sleep - Brain damage
- Poor body coordination - Delusion
- Feeling of super strength - Coma and Death
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Irritational thought patterns
- Impaired memory

Effects of Drug Use and Abuse on:

Family
·Broken family
·Neglected duties and responsibilities
·Restriction on family income due to drug dependence and addiction
·Increased expenses due to drug treatment and rehabilitation
·Family disgrace and disconcertment
·Disunion of family members
School
Poor academic performance
Increased number of absenteeism and tardiness
Increased number of incidence of school fights
The meager number of academic achievement
Episodes of disrespect to school personnel and authorities
Community
Increased number of incidence of crime such as stealing, robbery, and snatching.
Increased number of accident episodes such as road accident, accidental falling, etc.
Economy decreased because of low manpower production
Loss of government funds due to drug-related operations, treatment and rehabilitation
How will you strengthen your decision-making skills?
Follow these steps.
1. Analyze the situation you are in.
2. Write down the actions you might take in the situation.
3. Look for a responsible adult and consult these actions on your list.
4. Look again to your list and evaluate all the possible actions to do.
5. After careful evaluation, choose the best and most responsible action that may suit the
situation.
6. Do your actions firmly and responsibly with wit. Then, evaluate your actions.

How will you resist and say "NO" to drugs?

Step 1: Identify the problem
Tell him/her that, "it is bad and wrong. It is against the school rules and law.”
Step 2: Identify the consequences
Tell him/her that it could get him/her into trouble, harms his/her body, and will make him/her
feel bad about it.
Step 3: Say NO in different ways
Just simply say NO! You can also change the topic, tell the truth, joke about it, give
reasons, tell a story, or walk away if he/she doesn't listen to you.

Healthy Alternative Ways to Avoid Drug Use and Abuse:

·Volunteering
·Sports Involvement
·School Clubs and Activities
·Hobbies