Drug Education

NSTP 001 MODULE 6

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM

CIVIC WELFARE TRAINING SERVICE
June 2019 Revision
Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the session, the students should be able to:
• Explain what is drug and drug abuse
• Identify the different causes of drug addiction
• Enumerate the possible effects of drug addiction
(abuse) in health and the ways on how to control
and prevent drug abuse
• Recognize the Republic Act 9165
• Differentiate the roles of concerned
government agencies on drugs
What is a Drug?
• Drugs are chemicals that affect a person in such
a way as to bring about physiological, emotional,
or behavioral change.
• ‗Dangerous drugs‘ are those that have high
tendency for abuse and dependency, these
substances may be organic or synthetic, and
pose harm to those who use them.
Drug Abuse

Drug abuse exists when a person

continually uses a drug other than its
intended purpose. This continued use can
lead to drug dependence, a state of physical
and psychological dependence or both on a
dangerous drug.
Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a complex, and often

chronic, brain disease. It is characterized
by excessive drug craving, seeking, and
use. Addiction is caused by brain changes
caused by constant drug use.
 Let's Talk
In your own opinion, which of the statement
below is true in connection with the
increased cases of drug addiction in the
country? Explain why.
• There are many drug users because there
are many pushers.
• There are many drug pushers
because there are many users.
COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS
 SHABU
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride

STREET/SLANG NAMES:
Poor man‘s cocaine, Meth, Ice, Speed,
Shabs, ―S‖
 MARIJUANA
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Cannabis sativa (plant)
Tetrahydrocannabinol (Process)

STREET/SLANG NAMES:
Mary Jane, MJ, Flower, Doodie, Pampapogi, Brownies,
Damo, Pot, Tea, Joint, Dope, Jutes, Chongki, Weed,
Ganja, Hushies
Benzodiazepines
(Depressant)
 Effects of the Commonly
Abused Drugs
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Shabu)
• Methamphetamine hydrochloride is found to have
harmful effects to the brain. It changes how the brain
functions. Studies have shown that methamphetamine
abusers have reduced motor skills and impaired verbal
learning as a result of alterations in the activity of the
dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in reward,
motivation, experience of pleasure and motor function.
 Effects of the Commonly
Abused Drugs
Other adverse effects of methamphetamine:
• Extreme weight loss
• Severe dental problems (―meth mouth‖)
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Insomnia
• Mood disturbances
• Violent behavior
 Effects of the Commonly
Abused Drugs
Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana)
• Marijuana use impairs a person's ability to form new memories and
to shift focus. Its active component, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) also
disrupts coordination and balance, posture, and reaction time
(experience commonly referred to as ―spacing out‖). Thus, chronic
marijuana use significantly reduces a person‘s capacity to learn,
carry-out complicated tasks, participate in sports, driving and
operating other machineries. Studies also show that marijuana use
can lead to lung cancer and other problems in the respiratory and
immune systems.
 Effects of the Commonly
Abused Drugs
Health problems that come with the use of
marijuana include:
– Problems with memory and learning
– Distorted perception(sights, sounds, time, touch)
– Trouble with thinking and problem solving
– Loss of motor coordination
– Increased heart rate and palpitations
 Effects of the Commonly Abused Drugs
Benzodiazepines (Depressant)

• Benzodiazepines work by slowing down nerve activity in the brain

and the rest of the central nervous system, thereby diffusing stress
and its physical and emotional side effects.

Potential short-term side effects of benzodiazepines may include:

• Drowsiness
• Mental confusion
• Short-term memory loss
• Lack of motor control
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Slow breathing
• Muscle weakness
 Drug Abuse: By the Numbers

Estimated Drug Users in the Philippines

(2021): Around 1.67 million or two out of one
hundred Filipinos aged 10 to 69 are current
users of drugs
 PROFILE OF DRUG ABUSERS
(Facility Based)
CY 2021
• AGE : Mean age of 33 years; Median of 33 years
• SEX : Ratio of Male to Female 10:1
• CIVIL STATUS : Single (53.03%)
• STATUS OF EMPLOYMENT : Employed (62.30%)
(Worker/Employees, Businessman and Self-Employed)
• EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT : High School Level (27.33%)
• ECONOMIC STATUS : Average Family Income PHP 15,142.03
• PLACE OF RESIDENCE : Urban Core (Specifically NCR 20.13%)
• DURATION OF DRUG USE : More than six (6) years
• NATURE OF DRUG TAKING : Mono drug use (abuse of 1 drug
only)
• DRUGS/SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE :
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Shabu)
Cannabis (Marijuana)
Benzodiazepines (Depressant)
Drug Dependence
This is the state of physical and psychological dependence,
or both, on a dangerous drug, or drugs, experienced by a
person following the use of that substance on a periodic or
continuous basis. A person dependent on drugs will
experience withdrawal reactions (also known as ―cold turkey‖,
symptoms that occur after long-term use of a drug is reduced
or stopped abruptly) after abstaining from drugs.
Drug Tolerance
• A condition in which the body builds up a
resistance to the effects of a drug, so that
larger quantities are needed to obtain the
same effect .
• Uncontrollable increase in the amount of
substance taken may lead to over dose
which can result to death.
Different Causes of Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is characterized by excessive drug craving, seeking,
and use.

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use

that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.
The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but
repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an
addicted person‘s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist
intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent,
which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease—
people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for
returning to drug use even after years of not taking
the drug.
Different Causes of Drug Addiction
• It's common for a person to relapse, but relapse
doesn't mean that treatment doesn‘t work. As
with other chronic health conditions, treatment
should be ongoing and should be adjusted
based on how the patient responds. Treatment
plans need to be reviewed often and modified to
fit the patient‘s changing needs.
 Effects of Drug Addiction
1. Declining interest in school or work
2. Suddenly changes friends (hangs out with individuals known for their
drug use)
3. Becomes pessimistic, irritable and anxious all the time
4. Asks to be left alone a lot
5. Is always tired (or makes it as an excuse to be left alone)
6. Becomes careless and often becomes involved in accidents
7. Becomes implicated in a lot of fights
8. Frequent mood swings
9. Sudden change in appearance and conduct (red or puffy eyes, weight
changes, constant complaints of headaches or stomachaches, shaking,
incessant cough, brown stains on fingertips, stumbling, or a constant
runny nose)
10.Loss of interest in hobbies or sports
11.Exhibits poor judgment
12.Finds it difficult to concentrate
 Ways to Control and Prevent Drug Abuse
If you suspect that a friend is using drugs, talk to him or her.
Let your friend know that you care. Talk to your parents,
teacher, school counselor, or another trusted adult. Offer to go
with your friend to his parents or a counselor for help.

You alone can't make your friend stop doing drugs. It takes
professional help. Counseling, treatment and rehabilitation
are among the interventions that can help someone struggling
with the compulsion to use drugs. You may contact Dangerous
Drug Board via website and social networking accounts or
over the phone (+63-929-1753) for other queries and means
of helping a person recover from drug
dependency.
 RELATED PHILIPPINE LAWS
• REPUBLIC ACT 9165 –
COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS
DRUGS ACT OF 2002
SECTION VIOLATION
SECTION 5 PUSHING AND/OR
TRANSPORTING DRUGS
SECTION 11 POSSESSION OF DRUGS
SECTION 12 POSSESSION OF
PARAPHERNALIA
SECTION 15 USE OF DRUGS
Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) MC 2009-09

• Ensure that the provision of section

51 to 53 of R.A. 9165 also known as
the Comprehensive Dangerous
Drugs Act shall be strictly and
faithfully enforced
Concerned Government Agencies
 Concerned Government Agencies
Dangerous Drugs Board
The Anti-Drug Strategy
• Drug Supply Reduction - Law Enforcement,
Regulatory Compliance, Judicial and Legislative
Measures
• Drug Demand Reduction - Policy Formulation,
Preventive Education and Capacity-building,
Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration,
Research
 Concerned Government Agencies
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
• Suppresses the supply of dangerous drugs;
• Implements Dangerous Drugs Board policies;
• Controls and regulates the legitimate use of dangerous
drug and controlled precursors and essential chemicals;
• Supervises the anti-drug activities of the drug law
enforcement agencies;
• Coordinates the participation of all stakeholders in the
anti-drug campaign.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
Philippine National Police (PNP)
Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC)
 Words to Know
• Addiction - A person has an addiction when he becomes
dependent on or craves a drug and believes he needs the drug to
live. All an addicted drug user can think about is getting the next
dose after getting high.
• Depressant - A depressant is a drug that slows a person down.
Doctors prescribed depressants to help people be less angry,
anxious, or tense. Depressants relax muscles and make people feel
sleepy or like their head are stuffed.
• Hallucinogen - A hallucinogen is a drug, such as LSD, that changes
a person's mood and makes him see, hear, or think things that aren't
really there. Hallucinogens change the way a person feels time,
making it seem to slow down. As the name implies, hallucinogens
may cause hallucinations - this is when people think they see or
hear imaginary people or things.
 Words to Know
• High - A high is the feeling that drug users want to get
when they take drugs. There are many types of high,
including a spacey feeling, euphoria, or a feeling that a
person has ―special powers‖, such as the ability to fly or
see into the future.
• Stimulant - A stimulant speeds up a person's body and
brain. Stimulants, such as methamphetamines, have the
opposite effect of depressants. Usually stimulants make
a person high energetic. When the effects of a stimulant
wear off, a person will feel tired or sick.
Reference:

• Espinas, Arnold L.. et al., (2011). National

Service Training Program: Civic Welfare
Training Service. Malabon City: MUTYA
Publishing House, Inc.

• ddb.gov.ph