FACTS ABOUT

DRUG ABUSE
Drugs

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 subtances 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.

Dependency

 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 Abuse: By the Numbers

Estimated Drug Users in the Philippines:

1.7 million
Profile of Drug Users
Mean Age: 28 years old
Ratio of Male is to Female Users: 10:1
Civil Status: Single (58.21%)
Employment Status: Unemployed
Educational Attainment: High School Level
Average monthly household income: Php 16,290.80
Residence: Urban Areas
Duration of Drug Use

More than 6 years

MOST COMMONLY
ABUSED DRUGS AND
THEIR ILL EFFECTS
1. Depressants
 Drugs that decrease alertness by slowing down
the activity of the central nervous system (heroin,
alcohol and analgesics)

Examples of Depressants
 Alcohol
 Marijuana
Alcohol
 Alcohol abuse is a pattern of problem drinking that results in
health consequences, social, problems, or both. However,
alcohol dependence, or alcoholism, refers to a disease that
is characterized by abnormal alcoholseeking behavior that
leads to impaired control over drinking
PHYSICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
 Short-term effects of alcohol use include: distorted
vision, hearing, and coordination impaired judgment
altered perceptions and emotions bad breath; hangovers

 Long-term effects of heavy alcohol use include:

loss of appetite, vitamin deficiencies; stomach ailments liver
damage skin problems sexual impotence heart and central
nervous system damage; memory loss
Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana)
Marijuana use impairs a person’s ability to form new memories and to
shift focus. Its active component, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) also
disrupt 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.

Street names: weed, jutes, pot, grass, damo, chongke

Short-term effects of using marijuana:
 sleepiness
 difficulty keeping track of time, impaired or reduced short-term memory
 reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and
coordination, such as driving a car
 increased heart rate
 potential cardiac dangers for those with preexisting heart disease
 bloodshot eyes
 dry mouth and throat
 decreased social inhibitions paranoia, hallucinations
Long-term effects of using marijuana:
 enhanced cancer risk decrease in testosterone levels for men;
 lower sperm counts and difficulty having children increase in testosterone
levels for women
 increased risk of infertility
 diminished or extinguished sexual pleasure
 psychological dependence requiring more of the drug to get the same
effect
The physical effects of marijuana use, particularly on developing
adolescents, can be acute. Marijuana blocks the messages going to your
brain and alters your perceptions and emotions, vision, hearing, and
coordination. A recent study of 1,023 trauma patients admitted to a shock
trauma unit found that one-third had marijuana in their blood.
Epekto ng mga ipinagbabawal na gamot
Cannabis (Marijuana) –problema sa pagtatanda ng bagong konsepto at mag
pokus
 Nasisisra ang koordinasyon at balanse, pagtindig at konsepto ng oras (“spacing out”)
 Bawas ang kakayahang matuto, gumawa ng kumplikadong bagay (hal. Sports, driving,
operasyon ng makinarya)
Adverse effect:
 Distorted perception (sights, sound, time, touch)
 Hirap sa pag-iisip at “problem solving”
 Bawas ang motor skills
 Pagbilis ng takbo ng puso at palpitasyon
 Maaaring magkaroon ng lung cancer
 Maaaring magkaroon ng problema sa respiratory at immune system
2. Stimulants
 Drugs that increase the body’s state of arousal by increasing
the activity of the brain (caffeine, nicotine and
amphetamines)

Examples of Stimulants
 Methamphetamine
 Cocaine
 Ecstasy
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride
(Shabu)
Methamphetamine
 Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug chemically related to
amphetamine but with stronger effects on the central
nervous system. Street names for the drug include "speed,"
"meth," and "crank."
 Methamphetamine is used in pill form, or in powdered form
by snorting or injecting. Crystallized methamphetamine
known as "ice," "crystal," or "glass," is a smokable and more
powerful form of the drug.

Street names:
Shabs, ice, meth, crystal, Kristal, basura, tawas, bato
PHYSICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
The effects of methamphetamine use include:
 euphoria
 increased heart rate and blood pressure
 increased wakefulness; insomnia
 increased physical activity
 decreased appetite; extreme anorexia
PHYSICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
 respiratory problems
 hypothermia, convulsions, and cardiovascular
problems, which can lead to death
 irritability, confusion, tremors
 anxiety, paranoia, or violent behavior
 can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the
brain, producing strokes
Methamphetamine users who inject the drug and share
needles are at risk for acquiring HIV/AIDS
Epekto ng mga ipinagbabawal na gamot
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Shabu) –my epekto sa utak (binabago ang wastong
paggana ng utak

 Bawas ang motor skills

 May tama ang verbal learning
Adverse effect:
 Pagbaba ng timbang
 Dental problems
 Pagkabalisa
 Pagkalito
 Di makatulog sa gabi
 Mood disturbances
 Violent behavior
Cocaine
 Cocaine is a white powder that comes from the leaves of the South
American coca plant. Cocaine is either "snorted" through the nasal
passages or injected intravenously. Cocaine belongs to a class of
drugs known as stimulants, which tend to give a temporary illusion of
limitless power and energy that leave the user feeling depressed,
edgy, and craving more. Crack is a smokable form of cocaine that
has been chemically altered. Cocaine and crack are highly
addictive. This addiction can erode physical and mental health and
can become so strong that these drugs dominate all aspects of an
addict's life.
PHYSICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Physical risks associated with using any amount of cocaine and
crack:
 increases in blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and body
temperature
 heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory failure
 hepatitis or AIDS through shared needles
 brain seizures
 reduction of the body's ability to resist and combat infection
 Psychological risks:
 violent, erratic, or paranoid behavior
 hallucinations and "coke bugs"--a sensation of imaginary insects crawling
over the skin
PHYSICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
 confusion, anxiety and depression, loss of interest in food or sex
 "cocaine psychosis"--losing touch with reality, loss of interest in friends, family,
sports, hobbies, and other activities
 Some users spend hundred or thousands of dollars on cocaine and crack
each week and will do anything to support their habit. Many turn to drug
selling, prostitution, or other crimes.
 Cocaine and crack use has been a contributing factor in a number of
drownings, car crashes, falls, burns, and suicides.
 Cocaine and crack addicts often become unable to function sexually.
 Even first time users may experience seizures or heart attacks, which can be
fatal.
Ecstasy
 Ecstasy is a street name for the drug
methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It is a type of
stimulant that also produces hallucinogenic effects.
 Stimulant drugs speed up the messages between the brain and
the body, and can make a person feel more awake, alert,
confident or energetic.
 Although ecstasy is sometimes described as being a mild
hallucinogen, it is very rare for a person using ecstasy to
hallucinate.
Short term effects
 Impaired judgement
 False sense of affection
 Confusion
 Depression
 Sleep problems
 Severe anxiety
 Paranoia
 Drug cravings
 Muscle tension
 Faintness and chills or swelling
 Involuntary teeth clenching
 Blurred vision
 nausea
Long term effects
 Long-lasting brain damage affecting thought and memory
 Damage to portions of the brain that regulate critical functions such as
learning, sleep and emotion
 It is as if the brain switchboard was torn apart, then rewired backwards
 Degenerated nerve branches and nerve endings
 Depression, anxiety, memory loss
 Kidney failure
 Hemorrhaging
 Psychosis
 Cardiovascular collapse
 Convulsions
 death
 3. Hallucinogens
 Drugs that alter perception and can cause hallucinations, such as seeing or
hearing something that is not there (LSD and Magic Mushroom)

 Hallucinogenic drugs are substances that distort the perception of objective

reality. The most well-known hallucinogens include phencyclidine, otherwise
known as PCP, angel dust, or loveboat; lysergic acid diethylamide,
commonly known as LSD or acid; mescaline and peyote; and psilocybin, or
"magic" mushrooms. Under the influence of hallucinogens, the senses of
direction, distance, and time become disoriented. These drugs can
produce unpredictable, erratic, and violent behavior in users that
sometimes leads to serious injuries and death. The effect of hallucinogens
can last for 12 hours.
 LSD produces tolerance, so that users who take the drug
repeatedly must take higher and higher doses in order to
achieve the same state of intoxication. This is extremely
dangerous, given the unpredictability of the drug, and can
result in increased risk of convulsions, coma, heart and lung
failure, and even death.
 How Is It Used

Injected snorted

smoked swallowed
Physical risks associated with using hallucinogens:

 increased heart rate and blood pressure

 sleeplessness and tremors
 lack of muscular coordination
 sparse, mangled, and incoherent speech
 decreased awareness of touch and pain that can result in selfflicted injuries
convulsions
 coma; heart and lung failure
 a sense of distance and estrangement
 depression, anxiety, and paranoia
 violent behavior
 confusion, suspicion, and loss of control
 behavior similar to schizophrenic psychosis
 catatonic syndrome whereby the user becomes mute, lethargic,
disoriented, and makes meaningless repetitive movements
Everyone reacts differently to hallucinogens--there's no way to predict
if someone can avoid a "bad trip."
Reasons why people
turn to drugs
Family Problems

 Parents who always quarrel in front of the children

 Irresponsible parents who don’t have time for their children.

Peer Pressure/Curiosity

 BAD influenced by friends.

Weak Personality, Desire to Escape
from reality
Lack of self-confidence and inferiority complex
 To have fun
 To relax and forget problems
 To gain confidence
 To socialize
 Out of curiosity
 As a form of escapism
 To lessen inhibitions
 To remove personal responsibility for decisions
 To celebrate or commiserate
 To relieve boredom and stress
 Self-medication to cope with problems
Kadahilanan sa paggamit ng bawal na
gamot at ang mga possibleng solusyon
Signs of Drug Abuse
The following are common signs of drug revealed by individual using drugs.
While not all of these signs mean that one person is involved in drugs and
there could be some other physical or emotional problem that is causing
these behaviors, there is high chance that drug use may be a possibility:
Physical Warning Signs Of Drug Abuse
 Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual
 Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or
weight gain
 Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits
 Unusual smells on breath, body or clothing
 Tremors, slurred speech or impaired coordination
Behavioral Signs Of Drug Abuse
 Drop in attendance and performance at work or school
 Unexplained need for money or financial problems. May borrow or
steal to get it
 Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors
 Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies
 Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities)
 Declining interest in school or work
 Suddenly changes friends (hangs out with individuals known for their drug
use)
 Becomes pessimistic, irritable and anxious all the time
 Asks to be left alone a lot
 Is always tired (or makes it as an excuse to be left alone)
 Becomes careless and often becomes involved in accidents
 Becomes implicated in a lot of fights
 Frequent mood swings
 Sudden change in appearance and conduct (red or puffy eyes, weight
changes, constant complaints of headaches or stomachache, shaking,
incessant cough, brown stains on fingertips, stumbling or a constant runny
nose)
 Loss of interest in hobbies or sports
 Exhibits poor judgement
 Finds it difficult to concentrate
Bakit problema ang adiksyon?
 Pagkatao
Naiimpluwensyahan ang inyong kilos, ugali, galaw at aksyon
sa masamang paraan.
Ang naghihikayat sa inyo ay tawag ng laman.
Nagdudulot ng sakit o kamatayan.
 Pamilya
Hindi mo nagagampanan ang tunkulin mo (di produktibo,
gastos o pagnanakaw)
Maling halimbawa sa mga anak
Naaapektuhan ang mga miyembro ng pamilya (emosyonal,
physical, relasyon etc.)
Maaaring mawasak ang pamilya.
 Komunidad
Di produktibo o pagnanakaw
Nagugulo ang katahimikan at kaayusan
Krimen
Dagdag sa gastos

 Spiritwal na aspeto
Bawal
Templo ng Espiritu Santo
Treatment for Drug Addiction
 Hospitalization
 Behavioral therapies
 Occupational therapy
 Change in addict’s social environment
Which one?

NMH RIP
(Mental Hospital) (Death)

NBP
(Prison)
Ang Laban Kontra Droga
ay Laban ng Buong
Bayan…
Makiisa na!!!
Maraming Salamat!