Concept of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a state of mind in which a person has lost the power of self-control in respect of a drug. He consumes
the drug repeatedly leaving aside all values of life. In other words a drug addict will resort to crime even, to satisfy his repeated
craving for the drug. The effects of addiction are mainly deteriorative personality Changes. They include insomnia, instability,
lack of self-confidence especially when not under the influence of drug. The addict can not concentrate on any work. He avoids
social contacts. Slowly, mentally, physically, and morally he becomes from bad to worse and a burden to the society.

One or more of the following attributes characterizes drug addiction:

1. Compulsion/ Uncontrollable Craving – the addict feels a compulsive craving to take drug repeatedly and tries to procure the
same by any means.

2. Tolerance – it is the tendency to increase the dose of the drug to produce the same effect as to that of the original effect.

3. Addiction – the addict is powerless to quit drug use.

4. Physical Dependence – the addict’s physiological functioning is altered. The body becomes sick, inactive and incapable of
carrying out useful activity in the absence of the drug. The withdrawal syndromes will occur once the drug use is stopped.

5. Psychological Dependence – Emotional and mental discomfort exist to the individual. The drug addict feels he can not do
without the drug, consequently if he does not take the drug his mental processes are affected. He can not carryout his work
efficiently.

6. Withdrawal Syndrome – The addict becomes nervous and restless when he does not get the drug. After about 12 hours, he
starts sweating. His nose and eyes becomes watery and continue doing so increasingly for another twelve hours. It is followed by
vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and sleep. Respiration, blood pressure and body temperature also rises. This will continue up
to three days. After which, the trouble starts subsiding and most of it is gone in about a week’s time. Complete recovery takes
place in three to six months.

UNDELYING CAUSES/INFLUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE

The drug addict or abuser is generally an emotionally unstable person before he acquires the habit. He can not face
painful situations without help, he has less will power and self control. He has not adjusted himself to his emotional reaction. Due
to this, drug addicts have low capacities for dealing with frustrations, anxieties and stress.

Drug abuse is a multi-faceted problem exits in our locality and countryside, there is usually more than one reason why
this problem exists. Any of the following factors may influence people to abuse drugs.
A. Biological Factors

There are some reasons or pre-existing induced biological abnormalities of chemicals, physiological or structural in nature that
induced a person to take drugs. The following are some to consider:

1. Individual ‘s general health – there are several diseases that easily make a person become a drug abuser.
Examples are fatigue, chronic cough, insomnia, and discomfort.
2. It is believe that drug has the special power to prevent or to increase sexual capacity.
3. One specific genetic theory proposes that there is an inherited defect in the production of endorphin, similar to
morphine. A deficiency of the substance leads to bodily discomfort. With the use of the morphine, this feeling is
induced. According to theory, a person who uses morphine has the physiological abnormality where endorphin
production is less. The drugs when we use the body cells work actively.

B. Common Causation of Drug Abuse

1. Children of broken home easily join peer groups as substitutes to their lost family solidarity.
2. To strike and over protectiveness of parents.
3. For curiosity – eagerness to know what they have not experienced.
4. To assert their independence.
5. To rebel from parental authority.
6. To prove their guts.
7. To escape problems.
8. Peer pressure and for the sake of PAKIKISAMA.
9. They believe that drug can give deeper insights.
10. The belief that medicines can magically solve problems.
11. The easy access to drug or various sort in an affluent society.
12. The enjoyment of euphoria or excitement induced by drugs.
13. The search for sharpened perception and high perception and creativity, which some people believe they obtained
from drugs.
14. The beliefs that they are just taking it like alcohol.
15. The dissatisfaction or disillusion of lost of faith in the prevailing system.
16. The tendency of persons with psychological problems to seed easily solution with chemicals.
17. The statement of proselytizers who proclaim the goodness of drugs.
18. Slum condition - the most critical is that the slum dweller are often deprived of emotional support.

C. Factors in Youthful Drug Abuse

(Psychological, mental health, family conditions)

1. Motives and Attitudes

Psychologically speaking, in terms of motives and function of drug use, some of which may not be recognized by users
themselves. The more a drug is used, the more it tends to satisfy more than one motive or need.

Recent surveys of college drug use have induces the students reasons for drug use. In one study smaller or larger groups
mentioned all of the following motives;

1. To feel more courageous.

2. To find out more about oneself.

3. To have a religious experience to come close to God.

4. To satisfy a strong craving or compulsion.

5. To increase or reduce appetite.

6. To feel less dull or sluggish, improve sex.

7. To reduce sexual desire and keep from being panicked or crazy.

8. To improve intelligence or learning, prepare stress.

9. To feel less depress of sad, relieve tension or nervousness

10.To make good moral mood last longer, relieve anger or irritation

2. Personality and Pathology

This psychology has been described as follows:

1. Chronic, low-grade depression.

2. Smoldering, tense and restlessness.

3. A sense of not being taken seriously.

4. Narcissism or egocentricity.
5. Preoccupation with issues or identity, autonomy, and freedom of expression.

6. Repeated dwelling on drug taking and its effects.

7. Difficulty in interpersonal relations.

3. Family Background

The kinds of personality disturbances found in some young addicts and heads cannot, in the current state of knowledge, be
identified as brain damage or schizophrenia. It is more in the manner of character disorder. And the behavior may be the result
of inadequate socialization, condition of child rearing and family interaction. The few available facts about families of young
abuser lend credence to this idea.

In one broad study of New York’s high addiction areas, the families of adolescent narcotics users showed the following
characteristics:

1. Absent or weak father

2. Overprotective, overindulgent and domineering mother

3. Inconsistent standards of behavior, lack of definition of limits

4. Hostility or conflict between parents

5. Unrealistic aspiration for children

D. The Psycho-Social Factors

1. Personality Disorder - Drug abuse is a manifestation of an underlying character of personality disorder. Thus majority of the
drug users are fundamentally immature, emotionally childish, insecure or are suffering from problems of adolescence.

2. Social Disorder - A sign or symptom of family problem involving parent – child relationship, peer pressures, unethical values.

Drugs use does not also occur in isolation of other environmental factors but rather, is greatly influenced by these factors. Some
of the sociological factors also influenced drug use is as high toll.
 a. Availability of over-the counter and prescription drugs variety of drugs available for different ailments.
b. Influence of media-advertisement message that all aliment can be cured through the use of chemical
substances toward messages and help to create the acceptance of drugs.
c. Impact of affluent lifestyle or of high employment.
d. Effect of increased travel and exposure to different culture and social values
e. Modeling, if parents or key influence are drug users, young persons often tend to model the behavior they
are at home.
f. Social pressures exerted by peers
g. Collapse of religious values
h. Alienation and enemies feeling of powerless
i. Lower value on academic achievement

E. Other Factors

1. Ignorance, curiosity

2. Laxity of government and other authorities

3. Mass media influence

4. Nature of society resulting in the increased violent behavior for youth.

F. The 7 Deadly Sins - Primary Causes of Drug Abuse

1. Pride – excessive feeling of self-worth or self-esteem, sense of self-importance.

2. Anger - unexpressed, deep-seated anger against himself, his family, his friends or the society in general.

3. Lust – burning sexual desire can distort the human mind to drug abuse.

4. Gluttony – “food trip” in the lingo of junkies

5. Greed – wealth, fame, recognition as exemplified by people under pressure in their work of art, such as musicians, actors,
athletes who indulge in drug abuse.

6. Envy – to get attention from someone: as a sign of protest envy is a major cause of drug abuse.
7. Laziness –“ I can’t syndrome”, incapacity to achieve – the breeding ground of drug abuse. Boredom coupled with poor self-
image.

How Addiction is acquired?

People have generally different motivation in life. The young ones are very much adventurous and some of them have strong
attraction in Drug-taking, because these “Space are era belongs to them so to speak, thus, the “IN” thing these days are drugs.
To see drug abusers around seemed to be of a common sight.

The drug habit is acquired in three ways:

1. Association

2. Experimentation

3. Inexperienced doctors

Likewise, addiction may be acquired through:

1. Habituation – closely related to euphoric effect, and the relief of pain or emotional discomfort.
2. Toleration – the necessity to increase the dose to obtain an effect equivalent to the original dose.
3. Dependence – the altered physiological state brought about by the repeated administration of the drug, which
necessitates the continued use of the drug to avoid withdrawal syndrome.

What are the Group Classifications of Drug Abusers?

1. Situational Users – those who use drugs to keep them awake or for additional energy to perform an important work. Such
individual may or may not exhibit psychological dependence.

2. Spree Users – school age users who take drugs for “kicks’, an adventurous daring experience, or as a means of fun. There
may be some degree of psychological dependence but little physical dependence due to the mixed pattern of use.
3. Hard Core Addicts – those, whose activities revolve almost entirely around the drug experience and securing supplies. They
show strong psychological dependence on the drug.

4. Hippies – those who are addicted to drugs believing that drug is an integral part of life.

DETECTION OF DRUG ABUSERS

Detecting a drug user is not an easy task. The signs and symptoms of drug abuse, especially in the beginning stages
can be identical to those produced by conditions having nothing whatsoever to do with drugs.

It is always necessary to exercise certain prudence before drawing conclusions. Some judgments may only hurt the
individual; if he is innocent and one may lose his love and trust. Only after observing calmly and patiently his behavior,
appearance and associations, may one pass judgment and act.

To detect a drug abuser one should observe the following:

1. neglect of personal appearance

2. diminished drive, lack of ambition
3. reduced attention span
4. poor quality of school work
5. impaired communication skills
6. less care for the feeling of others, lessening of accustomed family warmth
7. pale face, red eyes, dilation or constricted pupils, wearing sunglasses at wrong places
8. change from active to passive and withdrawn behavior
9. secretive about money, disappearance of money and other valuables from the house
10. friends refusing to identify themselves or hang up when you answer the phone
11. overreaction to mild conditions
12. smell of marijuana, sweetish odor, like a burned rope in the clothes or room, etc.
13. symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, muscular aches, insomnia and convulsions, etc.
14. presence of :
 a. butt from marijuana joint
b. holders (i.e. pipe clips) for the joint
c. presence of leaves, seeds in pockets or lining
d. rolling paper, pipes, “bong” in closet or pocket
e. cough syrup bottles, capsules, syringes, etc.
f. visines or Eye-Mo bottles to treat red eyes
g. devices for hiding drugs like trash cans, soft drinks bottles
h. presence of other pills like valium, artane, other tranquilizers
i. presence of physician’s prescription pad in blank form

IDENTIFICATION OF DRUG ABUSER

The following markers can help in identifying them:

1. Change in interest – they lose interest in their studies and in their work. They fail in school, shift from one course to another,
transfer of school of lower standard until eventually drop out.

2. Frequent shifting of mood – they are euphoric, elated and sometimes even ecstatic when under the influence of drugs. They
would be indifferent, irritable and even hostile when the effect of drug is waning from the system.

3. Changes in behavior – they usually spend a lot. They are usually in the company of known drug users in the community.
They come home late; they become disrespectful and would sell personal or family valuables.

4. Changes in physical appearance – if they can be seen while still under the influence of drugs the following can be noted:

The following can also help in identifying drug abusers.

 a. They know the lingo of the abusers, i.e. OMAD. Chongki, Bitin, etc.
b. Presence of linear scar in the arms, forearms and abdomen.
c. Lobule of left ear punctured and some of the males even wear earrings.

PROCESS OF DETECTING DRUG ABUSERS

The detection of drug abuse involves five processes namely:

a. Observation
b. History taking
c. Laboratory examination
d. Psychological examination
e. Psychiatric evaluation

1. OBSERVATION

Observations of the signs and symptoms of drug abuse may take relatively a long period of time. Good sensory equipment and a
high degree of objectivity are two requirements for a good observer. To be an effective observer, the observer should not let his
own personal judgements and reactions affect his observations. He should exercise care in his observation such that the
suspected drug abuser is not made aware of being observed.

2. HISTORY TAKING

A. Collateral Information (Interview with information)

The best information is from the patient himself, but collateral information is necessary. Ideally, a parent or close relative or a
close friend should be present to furnish useful details as to the different changes observed in the patient that made them
suspect the subject is abusing drugs. These changes may be in his appearance, behavior, mood, or interest.

Added information
 1. If subject’s “barkadas” are also known drug abusers in the community.
2. He knows the language of drug dependents.
3. Seeing in his room, books or in his belongings or in his possession empty bottles of cough syrups,
empty medicine foils, MJ sticks or rolling paper.

B. Interview with patient

Inquire regarding the drugs being abused, onset of his drug taking activity, reason for abusing drugs, how he supports his vice,
etc.

3. LABORATORY EXAMINATION

Accurate laboratory examinations cannot be performed by any ordinary chemist since detection of dangerous drugs requires
sophisticated equipment and apparatus, special chemical reagents and most of all, the specialized technical know-how.

4. PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

This phase of drug detection requires the expertise of trained psychologists. Teachers therefore are not in a position to
administer psychological examinations among their students. Psychological examination findings will correspond to the general
findings of a drug prone individual:

- drowsy or lethargic appearance accompanied by scratching and without alcoholic breath, tendency to giggle
excessively at things which others don’t consider funny, and over-active and over talkative

5. PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS

a. Intelligence Test – the test is designed to cover a wide variety of mental functions with special emphasis on
adjustment comprehension and reasoning.
b. Personality Test – this type of test is used to evaluate the character and personality traits of an individual such as
his emotional adjustment, interpersonal relation, motivation and attitude.
c. Aptitude Test – this test is to measure the readiness with which the individual increases his knowledge and
improves skills when given the necessary opportunity and training.
d. Interest Test – this is designed to reveal the field of interest that a client will be interested in.
e. Psychiatric Evaluation – it is a process whereby a team of professionals composed of psychiatrists, psychologists,
psychiatric social workers conduct an examination to determine whether or not a patient is suffering from
psychiatric disorder.
Practical Ways of Recognizing the Drug Addict

A drug abuser will do everything possible to conceal his habit. To be able to recognize the outward signs and symptoms, it is
equally important to realize that the drug problems are so complex. Even expert advice not to judge abruptly an individual taking
narcotics drug as it could lead to falsely accusing an innocent person.

It should also be remembered that a person might have a legitimate reason for possessing a tablets, syringe and needle (may be
a diabetic) having capsules (they may prescribe by doctor). Having the sniffles and running eyes may due to head cold or an
allergy. Unusual or add behavior may not be connected in any way with drug use.

Based on the lecture of U.S experts doctor of medicine, Forensic chemist at the London International Police academy usually
detect drugs abusers without too much trouble by means of the following:

1. Presence of drug on the person – which he may try to conceal.

2. Presence of equipment for smoking, drinking or injection of drugs.

3. Presence of hypodermic needle marks or tracks on arms and on various parts of the body.

4. Drug test on blood and Urinalysis

5. Drug intoxication in the absence of alcoholic smell. It is indicated by:

a. dilation or contraction of the pupils

b. unsteady gait and incoherent speech

c. loose mental processes, drowsiness and itching

d. tendency to laugh at trivial

e. Withdrawal symptoms
6. Nalline test indicates an opiate addict.

- A small dose (3 mg.) of nalline is injected into the body of the suspect. The size of the pupil of the suspect is measured before
and after the injection. An addict will show appreciable dilation of the pupil. The drug has practically no effect on non-addicts.

The General Profile of Drug Abusers

The data may help one in understanding drug abusers in the Philippines.
As to: The Profile

Age Mean age of 26 years (since 1996),

27 yrs (1999)
Sex Ratio of male to female remained 12: 1
Civil Status Single (55.78%)
Married (32.58%)
Separated (4.43%)
Family Size Three to four siblings in the family
Occupation Workers/Employees (42.51%)
Unemployed (21.75%)
Self-Employed (12.58%)
Students (12.16%)
Out-of-School Youth (3.68%)
Educational Attainment High school level (27.77%)
College level (27.07%)
High School Graduate (22.77%)
Economic Status Average monthly income of P5,290
Place of Residence Urban
Duration of Drug Taking More than two years
I.Q Average
Nature of Drug Taking Monodrug use
Drugs of Abuse Shabu; Marijuana
Actual Outward Physical Signs/ Symptoms of Drug Abusers:

The actual profile of an abuser of narcotic drugs may show some of the following manifestations.

1. Admission of the addict himself.

2. Consistently wear long-sleeved shirt or blouses, dark eye-classes unlikely times to hide dilated or constricted pupils of
eyes.
3. Blood spots around elbow areas of blouses shirt or pajamas.
4. Walk, talk and act as if under alcoholic influence.
5. Prolonged period of sleep or lethargy, abnormal sleepless, nervous, jumpy and talkative.
6. School works deteriorates (grades and home works)

7. Work habits, become slip-shod, too many emotional explosions, loss body weight., abnormal bowel habits, blood-shot
eyes.
8. Sloppy in dress and careless in bodily hygiene, inordinate desire for consumption of sweets. Unusual odor in the
house or room (marijuana, hash, or incense)
9. Develop defiant or contemptuous attitudes towards authority (Parents, Teachers, Police, Etc.) constant demand for
ever-increasing amount of money.
10. Takes money from everyone and fails to repay, steel and sells all possible items of value from home or elsewhere
when opportunity comes.
11. Receives or makes numerous phone calls to people who are unknown in the house. Associates only with people who
have the reputation for playing with using drugs.
12. Persistently lies when asked to explain in expected knock on the door.
13. Unrealistic attitudes, having difficult of concentration.

The Personality Profile of a Filipino Drug Abuser

1. They are of average or above average intelligence

2. They are witty and manipulative
3. They have negative attitude, they demonstrate hostile feelings to the world or to anybody who does not want to
conform to what they want.
4. They are emotionally immature, selfish and demanding.
5. They want immediate gratification of needs and desires.
6. They have low frustration tolerance.
7. Their interest and aptitude are on dramatics, persuasive and musical field in that order.
 2. They are depressed and excessively dependent.
3. They are rebellious and have impulsive behavior.
4. They are pleasure seeker and pathologically liars
5. They like to join anti social groups/ delinquent groups.
6. They have difficulty in solving problems.

THE GLOBAL DRUG SITUATION

Drug abuse has become not only a national issue or a problem of just a few countries but it is a clear and present
global danger.

Today, highly entrenched, well-organized drug syndicates are behind this menace. They employ the most advanced
and most sophisticated technology coupled with unlimited financial resources at their command and disposal. Police agencies
around the world, pooling their resources together are more often than not, the losers in a game of hide-and-seek with the
international drug syndicates (Sotto, 1994).

A. The 1st Important Drug Traffic Route

Middle East – discovery, plantation, cultivation, harvest

Turkey - preparation for distribution

Europe - manufacture, synthesis, refine

U.S. - Marketing
B. The 2nd Major Drug Traffic Route

A. Drugs that originates from the Golden Triangle

Burma/Myanmar

Laos Thailand

B. Drugs that originates from the Golden Crescent

- Iran

- Afghanistan

- Pakistan

- India

C. World’s Drug Scene

1. Southeast Asia – the “Golden Triangle” approximately produced 60% of opium in the world, 90% percent of opium in the
eastern part of Asia. It is also the officially acknowledged source of Southeast Asian Heroin.
2. Southwest Asia – the “Golden Crescent” is the major supplier of opium poppy, MJ and Heroin products in the western part of
Asia. It produces at least 85% to 90% of all illicit heroin channeled in the drug underworld market.

3. Middle East – the Becka Valley of Lebanon is the biggest producer of cannabis in the Middle East. Lebanon is also considered
as the transit country for cocaine from South America to European markets.

4. Spain – major transshipment point for international drug traffickers in Europe – known as “the paradise of drug users in
Europe”.

5. South America – Columbia, Peru, Uruguay, and Panama are the sources of all cocaine supply in the world.

6. Morocco – the number one producer of cannabis in the world. (2003 to 2006)

7. Philippines – the major transshipment point for the worldwide distribution of illegal drugs such as shabu and cocaine from
Taiwan and South America. The second world’s supplier of MJ and the drug paradise of drug abusers in Asia.

8. India – center of the world’s drug map, leading to rapid addiction among its people.

9. Indonesia – Northern Sumatra has traditionally been the main cannabis growing area in Indonesia. Bali Indonesia is an
important transit point for drugs en route to Australia and New Zealand.

10. Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand – the most favorable sites of drug distribution from the “Golden Triangle” and other parts
of Asia.

11. China – the transit route for heroin from “Golden Triangle” to H.K.

12. Hong Kong – the world’s transshipment point of all forms of heroin.

13. Japan – the major consumer of cocaine and shabu from U. S. and Europe.

D. Organized Crime Groups behind the Global Drug Scene

Columbian Medellin Cartel

Founded during the 1980’s by Colombian drug lords in the name of Pablo Escobar Gaviria and drug bosses Jose Gonzalo
Rodriguez Gacha and the top aid cocaine barons Juan David and the Ochoa Brothers.

The Medellin Cartel is reputedly responsible for organizing world’s drug trafficking network. The Columbian government
succeeded in containing the Medellin Cartel, which resulted in the death, surrender, and arrest of the people behind the
organization. This further resulted to the disbandment of the Cartel led to its downfall.
 Cali Cartel

The downfall of the Columbian Medellin Cartel is the rise of the Cali Cartel - the newly emerged cocaine monopoly. Gilberto
Rodriquez Orajuela –Don Chepe - “the chess player” heads the syndicated organization. Under him, the Cali cartel was
considered the most powerful criminal organization in the world.

The cartel produces over 90% of cocaine in the world. Due to this, it was called the best and the brightest of the modern
underworld. “ They are professionals of the highest order, intelligent, efficient, imaginative, and nearly impenetrable” – US - Drug
Enforcement Agency.

The Chinese Triad

The Chinese Triad is also called the Chinese Mafia – the oldest and biggest criminal organization in the world. It is
believed to be the controller of the “Golden Triangle”.