Drug Education

By:
MA. ANGELA MAE A. ARCEO
COURSE OUTLINE
• What do you know about drugs?
• What are drugs?
• Why do people use drugs?
• How can using a drug be good and bad?
• Common Signs of Drug Use
• Effects of Drug Abuse
• Schools and Drug Abuse Prevention
• Risk Factors
• How to Avoid Drug Use?
• Penalties for drug users in the Philippines.
 OVERVIEW
• Drug education is an important strategy for reducing the extent of drug
related incidents among young people. Effective drug education programs,
need to build knowledge and increase the competency of students to act in
safe ways when presented with challenging situations.
 Activity 1: What do you know about drugs?

1. Drugs can have different effects on your body. Classify these drugs according to the main affect they have
on your central nervous system (CNS).
   
Stimulants
• Nicotine  
• Caffeine
   
• Alcohol Depressants
• Ecstasy  
• Magic Mushrooms
• Amphetamines    
• Cannabis Hallucinogens  
   
• Cocaine
• LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
Multi-action (have more  
• Heroin than one effect)
2.Dope, gunga and weed are all street or
slang names for which drug?
a) Cannabis
b) Alcohol
c) LSD
d) Cocaine
e) Don’t know
3. Alcohol can cause some cancers in the body.

a) True
b) False
c) Don’t know
4. Smoking tobacco or cannabis using an implement (e.g. bong, shisha or hookah) will
not reduce the damage to your lungs.

a) True
b) False
c) Don’t know
5.Alcohol only affects the brain and liver.

a) True
b) False
c) Don’t know
6. If a person under 18 years of age drinks alcohol, it may affect the
healthy development of his/her brain.

a) True
b) False
c) Don’t know
7. If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman drinks alcohol, it can cause
damage to the baby.

 
a) True
b) False
c) Don’t know
8. It is legal to drink alcohol under the age of 18.

a) True
b) False
c) Don’t know
9. Growing a couple of cannabis plants is legal in the Philippines.

a) True
b) False
c) Don’t know
10. Which list includes all legal drugs:

a) Analgesics, cannabis and caffeine

b) nicotine, cannabis and caffeine
c) Analgesics, nicotine, alcohol and caffeine
d) Don’t know
11. A drug convicted may affect his or her future employment and
travel goals.

a. True
b. False
c. Don’t know
12. It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places like park, beach, oval
etc.

a. True
b. False
c. Don’t know
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• At the end of this module, you will be able to:
 
1. Demonstrate current knowledge and understandings about drugs and drug use.
2. Understand the aim of the drug education program.
3. Identify rules for a safe classroom environment.
 What are drugs?

Drugs are chemicals that change the way our body’s function. Psychoactive
substances are drugs that affect our central nervous system (especially the
brain) and make us see, think, feel and behave differently than we usually
do. Some of the most commonly used drugs are caffeine (in cola, coffee, tea
and chocolate), ethanol (in alcohol), nicotine (in cigarettes, cigars and
chewing tobacco), and THC (in marijuana and other cannabis products).
 Why do people use drugs?

People use drugs to get some benefit. For example, many people drink
coffee to wake up and feel alert. And many people use alcohol to relax
and unwind. Other drugs are used to take away pain or to address other
problems. Some drugs are used to have a good time or to induce a
spiritual experience.
 How can using a drug be good and bad?

Many drugs, like certain medications, have greatly benefited human beings.
In fact, most drugs are useful in some way. But all drug use also carries
some risk. Even prescription medication from a doctor can cause harm,
especially if not taken properly.
How much risk is involved in using a drug—and how much harm it may cause—depends on many factors.

1. More drugs equal more risk. Increased risk is associated with a greater
amount and increased frequency of drug use and with a higher concentration
of the drug.
2. Younger age equals more risk. The human brain begins to develop in the
womb but is not fully formed until well into adulthood. Drugs influence not
only our immediate experience but also the way our brains develop. Drugs
have a greater impact on young brains than they do on older brains.
3. Places, times and activities influence risk. Drinking a glass of wine at a family
celebration and then playing chess with grandpa is less likely to result in harm than
sneaking alcohol with a group of classmates and then riding bikes or skateboarding.

4. The reasons are important. When a person uses a drug because they are curious, they
are likely to use it only occasionally or for a short time. But when a person uses a drug
to deal with long-term problems, they may use the drug too much or too often. When
a person uses a drug in order to fit in with a particular group, they may not listen to
their inner self and therefore may make poor choices. Making good decisions about
substance use involves always looking at both the benefits and the risks, thinking about
the reasons the drug is being used, and ensuring the context is safe for use. Generally, it is
safest not to use any drug unless one can be sure the benefits clearly outweigh the
risks, and that the context and reasons for use do not increase the potential for harm.
 Common Signs of Drug Use

• Changes in attendance in school or work Abrupt changes in overall attitude

Irritable, discourteous, aggressive Usually untrustworthy and lacks self-
confidence Low frustration tolerance Lacking interest in one’s studies or work
• Blames everybody but oneself Prefers to stay with peers May frequent odd
places Poor physical appearance Wearing of sunglasses at inappropriate times
Unusual effort to cover arms to hide needle marks
• Stealing items which can be readily sold Unusual borrowing of money from
relatives and friends Association with known drug abuses
 Effects of Drug
Abuse

Effects on the Person

Medical and Physical Deterioration
Respiratory, digestive, and other
health problems Personal
Deterioration Manipulativeness;
negative attitudes; selfishness; low
frustration tolerance; poor family
relations; no trustworthiness;
depression; absence of good
manners and right conduct, among
others.
 Effects on the Family

• Family members develop

intense feelings of
humiliation and guilt Low
self esteem of family
members Spirit of
togetherness and unity are
broken Domestic violence
Loss of money or
valuables.
 Effects on the
Community

• Increase in petty crimes within

neighborhoods Increase of
drug dependents and drug
pushers Developing fear of
drug users among residents,
especially at night
Neighborhood association and
interaction is reduced.
 Effects on Society

• Increase in heinous and anti-social

crimes Overwhelming fear towards
drug dependents, limiting people’s
movement especially at night
Disregarding of moral values and the
deterioration of the moral fiber of
society (leading to prostitution,
pedophilia, child abuse, and other
immoral acts) A threat to national
security.
 Schools and Drug Abuse Prevention

What is drug abuse prevention?

“Drug abuse prevention “is a commonly used term, but what does it really
mean? And what does it mean to schools? “Drug prevention “or “drug abuse
prevention“ has three main components:
 Three main components:

Demand reduction strategies

These strategies aim to reduce the desire and willingness to obtain and use drugs and to prevent, reduce
or delay the uptake of drug use. They may include abstinence-oriented strategies.
 
Supply reduction strategies
These strategies aim to disrupt the production and supply of illicit drugs, as well as limit the access and
availability of licit drugs in certain contexts. In the school setting this includes measures taken to limit
the use, possession and sale of illicit drugs on school premises.

Strategies to mitigate the negative health and social consequences of drug use
These strategies aim to reduce the impact of drug use and drug-related activities on individuals and
communities.
 
 Risk Factors

Risk Factors (Family)

Drug use in the family is a factor associated with the initiation and frequency of drug abuse by children.
Poor, Inconsistent Family Management Practices. Children in families with low disciplinary practices and
interaction with parents are at high risk for delinquency and drug abuse.
Family Conflict
Children raised in families with high rates of conflict, appear at risk for delinquency and drug abuse. Homes
broken by marital discord, are at higher risk of delinquency and drug use.  
Family Social Deprivation
Children living in families characterized by social isolation and multiple entrapments of parents in extreme
poverty are at elevated risk of drug abuse.

 
Risk Factors (Social)
Early Exposure and Frequency of Antisocial Behaviors
Early antisocial behavior in the primary grades predicts frequent use of drugs in adolescence. Delinquent behavior may lead to drug
addiction later in adolescence.
 
Attitudes and Beliefs
Individuals with values different from those dominant in society are likely to become delinquents and drug abusers. These values include:
Low religiosity
Rebelliousness
High tolerance of deviance
Resistance to authority
A strong need for independence
 
Peer Pressure and Other Factors
Risk Factors (Social)
Drug behavior and drug-related attitudes of peers are among the strongest and most potent predictors of drug involvement.
 
School Failure
Delinquency is related to academic performance in school.
School failure in elementary grades precedes delinquency.
Poor school performance is a common antecedent into drugs.

Risk Factors (School)

Low Degree of Commitment to Education and Attachment to School
Those who are committed to participating in school activities, hold high achievement and educational aspirations are the
least prone to delinquency and drug abuse.
Drug users are more likely to be absent from school, cut classes and to perform more poorly than non-users.

Neighborhood Attachment and Community Disorganization

High population densities, high crime rates, and lack of natural surveillance in public places can cause increased
delinquency and drug abuse.
Similar to crime rates, community values and norms also affect rate of adolescent delinquency and drug abuse.
 Risk Factors (Other Factors)
Mobility
Increased antisocial behavior results when experiencing transitions (transferring schools or moving between levels) Residential
mobility can also predict delinquency and is also related with drug initiation and frequency of use.
Constitutional, Genetic and Personality Factors
Children with biological or psychological deficiencies are at greater risk of abusing drugs.
Those displaying abnormal mood, anxiety or behavior disorders are at increased risk.
Those who are clinically depressive, display anxiety disorders, or impulse control disorders are vulnerable to substance abuse.
Media
Advertising is powerful in influencing youth decisions.
Film and TV stars, pop stars and fashion models make smoking seem attractive (Ary, 1988) and the adolescents imitate them to
smoke their style.
 Commonly Abused Substances

 Alcohol
Other Terms: Ethyl alcohol or ethanol. How it is used: Drinking. Effects on the body: Slows reflexes and causes
drowsiness and when in excessive use, it would result to dementia, stroke, cardiovascular problems, hypertension,
increased risk of many kinds of cancer.
 Caffeine
Found in: Coffee, tea, cocoa, soft drinks, and some medications. How it is Used: Orally in pill form or consumed in food
and drinks Effects on the Body: Reduces fine motor coordination, increases alertness, alters sleep patterns, and can cause
headaches, nervousness, and dizziness.
 Nicotine
Other Terms: Tobacco; found in cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco. How it is Used: Smoked or chewed Effects on
the Body: Reduces appetite and can cause nausea and vomiting, increases alertness.
 Commonly Abused Substances
 Marijuana
Other Terms: Grass, pot, reefer, and weed. How it is Used: Usually smoked; baked into brownies;
brewed like tea. Effects on the Body: Marijuana impairs memory, concentration, perception, and
movement.
 Cocaine
Other Terms: Crack, blow, rock, snow, coke. How it is Used: Snorted, smoked, or injected Effects on
the Body: Causes dizziness, headache, stimulates the brain and spinal cord, and increased heart rate.
Elevated blood pressure, increased body temperature, increased breathing rate.
 Ecstasy
Other Terms: X, Molly, Happy Drug, Love Drug. How it is Used: Orally in pill form Effects on the
Body: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, dehydration, nausea, muscle
cramping, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred vision, chills, sweating.
 Commonly Abused Substances
 Shabu
Other Terms: Shabs, S, bato How it is Used: Snorted. Effects on the Body: Tachycardia, hypertension, atrial and
ventricular arrhythmias, chest pain, accelerated atherosclerosis, dyspnea, edema, abscess, cellulitis, seizures,
hypotension, dental caries, periodontal abscess (meth mouth), pupillary dilatation.

 Benzodiazepines
Other Terms: Vs, Downers, Benzos How it is Used: Taken orally. Effects on the Body: Euphoria, drowsiness,
stupor, coma, respiratory depression, seizures, slurring of speech, disorientation, delayed reflexes.
 The most commonly used drug by teenagers in the Philippines is a variant of methamphetamine called ecstasy.
According to a 2018 United Nations report, the Philippines had the highest rate of ecstasy abuse among countries
in East Asia; about 2.2% of Filipinos between the ages 12-19 years were ecstasy users.
 How to Avoid Drug Use

 Understand how alcohol and drug addiction develops.

 Get help if you have an alcohol or drug problem.
 Avoid temptation and peer pressure. Find support that you need
 Maintain physical wellness and mental health. Use drugs properly
 Accept yourself.
 Develop your potentials and engage in productive and fulfilling activities. Communicate your issues and concerns.
 Learn how to cope with your problems.
 Seek professional help if you feel you cannot cope with problems.
 Develop strong moral and spiritual foundations.