Chapter V

DRUG EDUCATION

Lesson 5.1 Drugs

The word drug originated from the Dutch word “droog” which means “to dry”. Dried plants were
then predominantly the source of ancient drugs. A drug is a chemical substance which when taken into
the body causes mental, physical, emotional, or behavioral and social impairment. Though it is
legitimately used as curative and preventive agent against a disease, it causes more harmful effects than
helpful effects on the human mind and body when abused.

Like anything, drugs can be fatal when abused thus, it becomes undesirable. However, if it is used
to cure, treat or prevent an illness, then it is used desirably.

Drugs referred to in this chapter are not being used for therapeutic purposes. These are chemical
agents either from plants (cocaine, marijuana, heroin) LSD, or synthesized in laboratories (barbiturates,
diuretics, amphetamines). They are used as stimulants or depressants for shorter or longer periods, and
produce an intense feeling of well-being or euphoria. At the time the drug is taken, an artificial or
illusionary feeling of well-being is felt.

Drug is a chemical substance that brings about physical, emotional or behavioral change in a
person taking it. Any drug may be harmful when taken in excess. Some drugs can also be harmful if
taken in dangerous combinations or by hypersensitive (allergic) persons in ordinary or even small
amounts. Substances like glue, paint thinners, gasoline and other volatile (breathable) solvents contain a
variety of dangerous chemicals.

What is Drug Education?

Drug education is the method informing and enlightening people about the therapeutic
effects and proper use of drugs in order to help them avoid its misuse and abuse. The medicinal and
curative effects of drugs have save lives and prevent proliferation of illness and ailments but some
people do not use drugs as they are intended but to obtain its euphoric effect which somehow serve
as escape and temporary relief from seemingly unbearable problems in life.

Lesson 5.2 Definitions of Terms

Drug abuse is the use of any chemical substance, licit or illicit, which results in an
individual’s physical, emotional, social impairment. It is a condition where a drug is used not as a
therapeutic agent but a means to boost stamina and a temporary “relief” from burdens and problems
in life. When drugs are undesirably use or misuse, then they are abused. Drugs when taken
repeatedly in excessive amounts impair the user’s physical, mental, emotional, behavioral and social
well-being. It may refer to the following practices:
a. Using, without benefit of prescription, useful drugs which have the capacity to alter the mood
and behavior.
b. Using drugs and substances for a purpose different from the one for which the drug has been
prescribed.
c. Using drugs and substances having no legitimate medical application for purposes other than
research.

Drug Abuse is defined by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “deliberately taking a
substance for other than its intended purpose, and in a manner that can result to damage the person’s
health or his ability to function.”

Drug Dependence – a situation where the presence of abused drug should be maintained in order for
the body to function “normally”. It is the compulsive desire or need to use the drug regularly in order
to attain a feeling of serenity, security and power. When the drug is absent or not taken, withdrawal
 symptoms are experienced. These may include fever, convulsions, vomiting, muscle cramps,
hallucinations and extreme agitation.
1. Physical Dependence – a condition wherein a person cannot function without drugs in
his/her system and if without the drug, he or she develops withdrawal signs such as
restlessness, pain, convulsions and others.
2. Psychological Dependence - develops when a person obtain relief from his problems thru the
use of drugs and tends to use them every time he meets problems the so called “escape from
reality syndrome”.

Drug Addiction – is the intense craving for drug; it described as “physical” dependence on a drug.
In as much as addiction is a hard habit to break, so the user must have continuous supply of it. In
many cases, a user who runs short of financial resources for the drug, resorts to illegal and immoral
means to acquire it such as stealing, prostitution and even killing.
One’s existence is between the “highs”, when one feels the joy of heaven when he is under the
influence of the drug, and “lows” with the tortures and agony in hell in the absence of it.

Illusionary Drugs – a term given to describe these drugs because they carry the user into an unreal
or surrealistic world. The pleasures they induce produce a mental and often physical reliance on the
agent, which eventually results to dependence. The user develops tolerance which requires an
increasing amount of these drugs to be taken to produce the same pleasure felt when first used. As
the dosage of a drug goes up, it becomes more lethal and harmful.
.
Drug Tolerance – it is a condition when a user increases his/her dosage of drugs to produce the
same effect as the last time such drug was used and “good trip” was felt or experienced. It is the
amount or quantity of drug capable of effecting desired feeling of satisfaction and comfort to the
user.

Drug Overdose – refers to the quantity of drugs taken which is beyond what is desired or prescribed.
It produces dangerous and even deadly reaction such as low breathing rate, stupor and coma.

Polydrug Abuse is the use of different substances or kinds of drugs in order to attain the desired
effect in the user.

Lesson 5.3 Classification of Commonly Abused Drugs

1. Depressants or “downers”
a. Sedatives acts as tranquilizers if taken in proper amount and have calming effects. They
relieve one from hyperactive feelings like anxiety, tension, restlessness and illness in which
seizures occur. They prevent the transmission of signals through the central nervous system and
slow down the metabolic functioning of the muscles, heart, organs of respiration and liver.
b. Barbiturates are the most commonly used in this group and go by the street names of
yellow bullets, barbs, reds, goof balls. They are capsules or in some forms, injectibles
tranquilizers such as Valium, Noludar, and Placydil are among the frequently abused drugs.
These are produced for medical purposes to relax the central nervous system.
c. Alcohol is the most common depressant which has a tranquilizing effect. However, when
taken in large amounts, body functions deteriorate.
d. Narcotics sometimes referred to as “opiates” belongs to this group. These are pain relieving
and sleep inducing drugs.
1) Morphine
2) Codeine
3) Heroin – most popular because of its euphoric action and compact form, an
effective pain killer
4) Meperedine (Demerol)
5) Methadone
 2. Stimulants produce opposite effects brought about by sedatives. They make the person hyperactive
as manifested in increased alertness and activity. Their use could abnormally mark changes in
sensation, thinking, self-awareness and emotions. These drugs suppress fatigue and extreme
nervousness however, they can cause mental illness or the sense of reality of a person could be
impaired.
a. Cocaine makes one aggressive. It is dangerous because it can cause paranoia. They produce
exhilaration or depression when dependence is developed and the drugs are not used. These can
lead to serious mental changes, psychotic manifestations, suicidal or homicidal tendencies
b. Amphetamines are used to suppressed appetite or as diet pills. Because of their ability to
make people awake, they become very popular among students reviewing for exam or drivers
who drive long hours.
c. Caffeine is among the drugs of this group. They alter one’s perception of the external world
and distort a person’s concept of reality.

3. Hallucinogens or Psychedelics are hallucination producing drugs. They produce false perceptions
of reality giving a temporary to people who have serious problems.
a. LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) is the most powerful psychedelic. It is 1000 times
stronger than marijuana. It may be taken orally and comes in capsules or tablets. LSD used
without close medical supervision, pointed out he following dangers: panic, complete personality
changes, paranoia, recurrence and accidental death.
b. Mescaline found in peyote cactus. It is dried which can either be eaten or taken into liquid
form. Effects of this drug are milder than LSD.
c. Euphrates – drugs that provides a tremendously good feeling or high sensation. Drugs of
this kind includes Marijuana

4. Inhalants are substances which are inhaled through nose or mouth categorized into: solvents,
aerosols and anesthetics. Solvents include paint thinners, gasoline, rugby/ glues, airplane cement and
transmission fluid. Aerosols include hair spray, shoeshine compounds, insecticides, butane, and
propane among others while anesthetics include nitrous oxide, ether, chloroform and other special
groups of inhalants. Potential health consequence include stimulation, loss of inhibition, headache,
nausea, vomiting slurred speech, loss of motor coordination, wheezing, unconsciousness, cramps,
weight loss, muscle weakness, depression, memory impairment, damage to cardiovascular and
nervous systems, and or sudden death.

Lesson 5.4 Factors that leads to Drug Abuse

a. Parental/Family Factor
The family as the basic unit of society and foundation of values and strong family ties can
become the honing ground of future drug user. Such condition happens when a family lacks
parental love, care, guidance and affection. The feeling of insecurity, rejection, loneliness,
depression, infliction, harsh physical punishment when present in the family may lead a child to
find the comfort and solution in drugs. Too permissive and liberal environmental atmosphere
and parental exemplar may also be a cause for a child to resort to drug for contentment.

b. Peer Pressure/Peer Group Factor

Social acceptance and the need of belongingness is a psychological and sociological factor that
an individual faces in the pursuit of attaining self-identity and self-worth. The pressure of friends
compels a teenager who is adventurous and who strongly felt to be identified with a group resort
to drugs. The feeling of rejection and becoming an outcast may pressure a child to follow and do
whatever it is to be “in” with his peers. Acceptance of their peers even becomes more important
than their family forcing a child to disregard family training and orientation. On the one hand, the
pleasure and comfort derived from its use undermining the evil effects of the drug to the mind
and body. Family restraint on the group or “barkada” that one belongs sometimes can rapidly
lead to alienation, and experimentation with drugs.
 c. Personality Factor
Drugs do not show that a certain personality “type” is related to drug use. In fact people of
various personality types are capable of indulging themselves in prohibited drugs
Dangerous Drug is used because of the belief that it can help solve problems, to gain euphoria or
a feeling of well-being, relief from boredom, escape from problems (even just for a while),
escape from reality (at least to forget, even for a while), to gain self confidence, pleasure and
satisfaction which are not felt in the absence of drugs.

d. Mass Media
The image and circumstances happening in the country projected by television, radio and other
forms of mass media may give a negative influence on youth’s idealism. The exhilarated
depictions of pleasure and “machoistic” or “astig” identity in the alcoholic beverages and
cigarettes advertisements gives a strong temptation on an individual to drink and smoke in order
to achieve that “hero” identity. Programs and movies show scenes where the use of alcohol and
other drugs are accepted. Seldom are there movies where the harmful effects of these drugs are
shown. Though there are also advertisements concerning the dangerous effects of illegal drugs,
the viewing and listening public especially the young ones end up confused.

e. Accessibility/Availability
The availability of drugs and the absence of stricter law enforcement is one factor that
contributes to drug abuse. Drugs are therapeutic agents, but extremely harmful and destructive
are locally accessible in drug stores and even in sari-sari stores. Some of these drugs are bought
even without prescription. Inhalants such as rugby, solvents can be bought in hard wares. Its
availability in the local market makes the young think that it is socially acceptable. No wonder
why even street children become drug addicts.

f. Economic Factor
Unscrupulous individuals involve themselves in drug trafficking because of the “easy” economic
opportunity it offers. Pushers (bugaw) also sell drugs so they could buy a drug to use in return.
The pushers who are the “small fishes” directly and indirectly encourage their use through some
kind of initiation. Some law enforcers because of the economic reward become promoters and
supporters themselves making it hard to curtail this menace of society.

Lesson 5.5 Effects of Drug Abuse

a. Physical Effects
 Malnutrition – a drug user may neglect not only personal hygiene but also take for
granted her health which eventually results to malnutrition. Anorexia (loss of appetite) may
be experienced as well as diarrhea which is a possible cause of dehydration.

 Dependency – the use of drugs is a hard habit to break. The user finds difficulty to stop
its use and this eventually leads to drug dependence. Increasing quantity of the drug is taken.
Pleasure and confidence are only felt when the drug is present in the body.

 Skin Infections/ rashes and other disease – the use of unsterilized syringes and needles
may cause skin problem such as ulcers, rashes and even allergic reactions. Other diseases
may be acquired or developed such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, bronchitis among others.

 Sensory distortion- Drugs affects normal sensory perception. Senses of sight, hearing
and touch may be impaired.

 Damage to Vital Organs- Organs such as the liver, kidneys is exposed to risk. The
excessive use of drugs and neglect of personal hygiene may be the cause of kidney failure
and hepatitis.
 b. Social Effects
 Community Hazard – drug users are social hazards regardless of weather there are “high”
on drugs or not. Their being a drug user makes their behavior unpredictable. Other users are
troublesome aggressive and even violent. Their disposition becomes questionable.

 Criminal Involvement – drug addicts/ users are social menace because they resort to rape,
stealing, murder and other illegal acts just to get what they want. They become reckless in
life and out of control.

 Inadequacy of communication with others – a drug abuser shuns and isolates himself
from the rest of the community; cuts relationship with none users of drugs and depend on
fellow users. He is suspicious of the people around him and loses trust on them.

c. Mental Effects
 Adverse effects on the central nervous system – the regular use of large doses of
dangerous drugs affects the brain and the central nervous system. The activity of the brain
decreases and is accompanied by change in mood and behavior especially in dealing with
people.

 Deterioration of the Mind – a person under the influence of drugs has impaired senses.
The dependent becomes “mentally incapable” of thinking what is right and making good
decisions is quite impossible. The user becomes “out of focus” and unable to control his
senses and emotions...

d. Economic Effects
 Inability to hold a stable job – losing ones job is just one of the many consequences of
drug abuse. Lack of concentration and difficulty to perform well in the work place may be
experienced.

 Dependence on family resources – the uncontrollable use and dependence on drugs may
cause financial resources to suffer. Family possessions may be disposed to maintain the vice.
A user depends on family resources to finance his “expensive habit”.

 Accidents in industry – due to dependence on drugs, accidents may occur in the work
place. Carelessness and lack of concentration in the performance of ones task may be
observed. This negligence and irresponsibility may cause him his or even the jobs of others.

Lesson 5.6
What can the person, the parents, the teachers and the school, the community and the church do
to prevent Drug Abuse?

The Dangerous Drug Board (Ideas for Action,1975) and Leffton and Valvatne (1985) suggest the
following:
The Person
1. Understand, respect and accept himself;
2. Develop his potential and engage in wholesome, productive, and satisfying activities;
3. Learn to relate effectively with others and have a confidant to whom he can communicate personal
problems freely;
4. Learn to cope with personal problems and other stresses without the use of drugs;
5. Seek professional help for problems he cannot cope with;
6. Develop strong moral and spiritual values
7. Learn about the effects of drug use, the reasons drugs are harmful, and ways to resist pressures to try
drugs; and
8. Use an understanding of the danger posed by drugs to help other students avoid them.
 The Parents
1. Create a warm and friendly atmosphere at home;
- the family is supposedly a haven of peace and love where harmony reigns.
Parents are duty- bound to love and care for their children. Attention
provided to children should go beyond monetary or financial support.
Openness between and among members of the family is very important.
2. Develop effective means of communication with children;
Communication lines among the family members should be kept open. Parents should be able to win
and maintain the confidence of their children.
They should always have the time to listen.
3. Take time to be with the children no matter how busy they are;
4. Strengthen moral and spiritual values- the foundation of strong and stable personality;
5. Help children to resist peer pressure to use drugs by supervising their activities; It’s nice to meet
your children’s’ friends and be familiar with them too, their “gimmicks”, and how they spend their
leisure time without necessarily interfering and suffocating them or invading their privacy.
6. Be knowledgeable about drugs and signs of drug use. When symptoms are observed, respond
promptly. Don’t be the last to know what your child is in to. Take note of sudden change of attitude
and behavior. Be aware of the signs of drug use. If symptoms of drug use are observed, professional
advice should be sought right away. Ignorance as well as denial will only make the situation worst.

The Teachers/The School

1. The Teachers can help drug abuse if they:

1.1 Know their students’ strengths and weaknesses, needs and abilities;
1.2 Are sensitive to their students’ needs and problems;
1.3 Establish rapport with their students to gain their confidence;
1.4 Encourage their students to participate in co-curricular activities which will further enhance
their mental health and strengthen their moral and spiritual values;
1.5 Use teaching approaches and strategies that are effective and stimulating
to the students;
1.6 Show models of good behavior; and
1.7 Help the implementation of RA 6425 regarding the role to be observed by teachers in the
identification and apprehension of drug dependents.

2. The schools can help prevent drug abuse if they:

2.1 determine the extent and character of drug use and establish a means of monitoring that use
regularly;
2.2 Establish clear and specific rules regarding drug use that include strong corrective actions;
2.3 Enforce establish policies against drug use fairly and consistently; and implement security
measures to eliminate drugs on school premises;
2.4 implement a comprehensive drug prevention curriculum; and
2.5 Reach out to the community for support and assistance in making the school ‘s anti-drug policy
and program work by developing collaborative arrangements.

The Community
The community leaders have the following responsibilities:
1. Help school fight drugs by providing them with expertise and financial resources of community group
and agencies;
2. Plan and implement social action programs involving young people, civic groups, religious
organizations, other professionals to improve community life;
 3. Participate or assist in the implementation of RA 6425 otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs act
of 1972;
4. Encourage and support the establishment of preventive centers such as community guidance clinics;
5. Help in the after-care and follow-up of discharged clients from residential rehabilitation centers;
6. Strengthen moral and spiritual values; and
7. Coordinate with public and private agencies that could lend assistance to the drug abuse prevention
and control program.

The Church
As a social institution, the church is entrusted with the humanitarian tasks of moral guidance of the youth
and its attending social problems. In this connection, the church leaders, aside from preaching the word
of God, need to get involved in contemporary issues like drug abuse that beset society. The church also
committed to the fight against drug abuse. The church leaders should:

1. Help in the campaign against drug abuse;

2. Organize programs on the prevention of drug abuse in the form of lectures, for a value clarification
exercises and other related activities; and
3. Serve as models of exemplary character for the youth.

The task to combat drug abuse is not the sole responsibility of the family but the concentrated effort of all
sectors in society like the school, community and the church.
Name:_____________________ Course & Year:_________________

I. Why do people turn to drugs? Explain briefly.

II. What are the harmful effects of drug abuse?

Physical Effects Mental Effects Social Effects Economic Effects

III. As a student, how can you help solve the problem of drug abuse and promote a “drug free society”?

IV. Are you in favor of drug testing in colleges and universities? Elaborate your answer.