Professional Documents
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Drug Substance and Prevention
Drug Substance and Prevention
Lucban, Quezon
The very vital to the success in controlling and stopping drug abuse is through problem
awareness, education and strategy implementation. I addition, positive behavior, including the
constructive handling of feelings and responsibilities, should be installed and encouraged in our
own families during the early life of young family members and carried on up to the later stage
of life. These should be nurtured by a caring and understanding community.
A teenager spends more time with friends or peers rather than at home
The drug addict is generally an emotionally unstable individual before he or she acquires
the habit.
A person will try to use drugs if a friend insists, for the sake of friendship
The drug addict is generally an emotionally unstable individual before he or she acquires
the habit. The person cannot face painful situations without help
Truly, drugs abuse is a predator, a monster that preys on innocent, curious mind like
those of the teenagers. Hence, this module zeroes in on uncovering problem of drug abuse
among the youngsters and on finding ways and means by which this societal menace could be
lessened, if not totally annihilated
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
What is a drug?
1. Ingestion
2. Inhalation
3. Injection
4. Used as suppository
5. Applied topically
When are drugs harmful?
Any drug may be harmful when taken in excess. Some drugs can also be harmful if taken
in dangerous combinations or by hypersensitive (allergic) person in ordinary or even small
amounts.
There are various reason-ranging from the reason the “medicines” can solve problems, to
widespread access to various drugs, to “peer pressure”, to the notion that drugs give enjoyment
to the users and in the context that it is used as an alcoholic substitute.
Drug abuse is the use of chemical substance, licit or illicit, which results in an
individual’s physical, mental, or social impairment. It may refer to any of the following
practices:
1. Using, without benefit or prescription, useful drugs which have the capacity to alter mood
or behavior.
2. Using drugs and substances for a purpose different from the one for which the drug has
been prescribed; and
3. Using drugs and substances having no legitimate medical application for purposes other
than research
Are there products other than drugs ever abused?
Substances like glue, paint thinners, gasoline and other volatile (breathable) solvents
contain a variety of dangerous chemicals. They should be sold and used with caution.
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
Anyone can be a drug abuser. Drug abuse is no respecter of age, sex, and social status. It
is very difficult to come up with an accurate profile of a drug abuser that can be applied to all
because people are different in many ways.
Thus, he:
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
All of us are very much aware of the nature of the drug problem. It has been condemned
by governments all over the world and billions in resources have been spent to contain it, yet
drug trafficking and/ or drug abuse is still here.
In fact, it is today’s most profitable underground business which has spawned yet
considered as another crime and source of money laundering on a global scale. The Vienna-
based International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) points out that “No country rich or poor,
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
large or small, equipped with sophisticated machinery to fight money-laundering or not, can
consider itself from money-laundering activities”.
The Philippine situation is not any different from other countries of the world that are
affected by drug problems and is in fact following the trends in other countries. In 1978, there
were only about 20,000 drug users in the country. Almost all of them were from in Metro
Manila. Today, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) estimated that the approximate 6.7M drug
users are now down to 1.7 million.
Three (3) major abused drugs dominated the drug scene in the country. The first is
methamphetamine hydrochloride commonly known as “shabu”, which is the main drug used by
drug abusers. The second is marijuana. According to some sources, the Philippines has become
the world’s second biggest source of marijuana after Mexico, producing about 1.4 billion worth
each year. The third is methylene dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy, which is now
sweeping the elite market.
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
capsules and among them, which are now available in Metro Manila, are Orange Hornets,
Aigners, Achtung, and Mitsubishi. Studies abroad reveal that the damage caused by
ecstasy to one’s health is irreversible.
Drug Trafficking
The use of the seaports was exemplified by the seizure of 158 kilograms of shabu stashed
inside two (2) container vans at the Manila International Container Port in two different
occasions in 1999.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport continues to be the preferred trafficking avenue
for small quantities from less than one kilo to multi-kilo shipments by trafficking using false
compartments in luggage or through body packing. The gravity of the problem can be gleamed
from the seizure of 116.88 million pesos’ worth of drugs by the NAIA Drug Interdiction Task
Group in 2001. It was on September 11 and 14,2004 respectively, when two Taiwanese nationals
were intercepted carrying five (5) kilograms of shabu each on board a flight originating from
Xiamen, China.
The mail and parcel system is preferred in foreign destinations that have large Filipino
communities like Guam, US, Australia, England and Middle East. A case in point was the
seizure of 39.8 kilos of shabu from a FED EX shipment from Hong Kong on September 11, 2001
by the Bureau of Customs. The vast and relatively unpatrolled shoreline of the country is where
most of the huge shipments are smuggled. Major drug shipments intercepted by law enforcement
authorities include the 420 kilograms hauled in Pangasinan in 1999, the 365 kilograms in Sariaya
Quezon, 125 kilograms in Ilocos Sur, and 33 kilograms in Zambales, all in 2000. For the year
2001, 503 kilograms of shabu were intercepted in Real, Quezon on October 13, 2001, allegedly
from the shoreline of Panukulan, Quezon and said illegal drugs were personally escorted by the
Mayor of said town. Also in 2001, 350kgs of shabu was seized on San Narciso, Zambales.
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
Based from the data as reported by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in1993 to
December 31,2001 there were 258 foreign nationals arrested in the Philippines for violation of
Republic Act. No. 6425 (Dangerous Drugs Act 1972, as amended). Of this total, 182 or 70.54%
were Chinese nationals while other nationalities made of the remaining 76 or 29.463%. More
importantly, the volume of shabu seized from foreign nationals over the same period totaled
2,889 kilograms or 64.24% of the total volume of shabu seized in the country in over the same
period. Chinese nationals on the other hand, accounted for 2,873 kilograms for the period
January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2001 or 63.888% of the aggregate national’s seizures of shabu.
At present, supply comes not only from importation but also from local manufacturing.
Since 1997, there have been nine discoveries of clandestine laboratories made and the most
significant of which was the discovery of clandestine laboratory in San Juan. All along, cland
labs were thought of as makeshift and unsophisticated, until San Juan. On July 18, 2002, another
clandestine laboratory was dismantled at Loyola, Quezon City by members of the Metro Manila
Drug Enforcement Group. Seven (7) Chinese nationals were arrested and 44.540 kilograms of
shabu, 50.67 kilograms of ephedrine and shabu laboratory equipment and paraphernalia were
seized. Another clandestine laboratory was dismantled in Executive Heights Subdivision
Parañaque City on November 1, 2002. Just recently, on February 2012, 90 million pesos’ worth
of illegal drugs ingredients were seized by the Bureau of Customs, including that of the popular
‘ecstasy’.
Based from the reports, a huge portion of shabu that enters the Philippines comes directly
from Southern China where most of the shabu laboratories are located. Of the 15 major
interdictions since 1993, seven (7) were shipped directly from Southern China. Five (5)
shipments were from China but they passed through Hong Kong first before they were rerouted
to the Philippines. At least one shipment passed through Taiwan. Lately, we learned that the
shipments at Quezon and Zambales came directly from North Korea.
It should be noted that the identified landing points are mainly through the shorelines of
the Northern and Central Luzon regions and Southern Tagalog, specifically Batanes, Cagayan,
Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Zambales, Aurora, Quezon and Mindanao provinces. Reports also
indicate Palawan and Masbate as probable landing sites from shabu smuggling.
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
number of drug personalities nationwide followed by PRO 4 with 7.958 or 21,468 and 6,443 or
17,378.
Drug Rehabilitation
Records show that the number of drug-affected barangays as of September this year
represents 8,508 or 3,577 of the country’s 42,061 barangays. Comparing all the regions, Region
4 has the highest number of drug affected barangays with 1.026 of its 5,463 barangays, followed
by Region 3 with 492 of its 3.175 barangays, and Region 7 with 279 of its 3,003 barangays.
While Region 12 has the lowest with 32 of its 1,192 barangays.
Assessment
The emergence of East and Southeast Asia as the fastest growing region in terms of
manufacture, trafficking, and consumption of Amphetamine Type Stimulants seriously affects
the Philippines. Being a major ATS consuming country, it is therefore important to maintain
close cooperation with the countries in the region in the common fight against illegal drugs.
Marijuana cultivation expanded despite the decline in preference of Filipino drug abusers
due to increase in trafficking to other boundaries like Japan, Australia and other countries in
Europe. While it may not affect Filipinos directly, the resulting stigma as a source country for the
drug is equally damaging to the standing of the country in the international community.
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
1. Why the Big Outcry? Drug aren’t Really a Big Problem. The fact is… They are a
tremendous problem, the seriousness of which is becoming more apparent everyday.
2. “Recreational” Use of Drugs is not Harmful. The fact is… All illegal drugs are
dangerous and cause physical and psychological change in the user. Prolonged drug use
exacerbates these harmful effects that can lead to addiction.
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
10 | S L S U N S T P
National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
Maintenance of a Den, Dive Life Imprisonment to Death and a fine ranging from five
or Resort hundred thousand pesos (P500,000) to ten million pesos
(P10,000,000).
Employees and Visitors of a Imprisonment ranging from twelve (12) years and one (1)
Den, Dive or Resort day to twenty (20) years and a fine ranging from one
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) to five hundred
thousand pesos (P500,000).
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
Cultivation or Culture of Life imprisonment to Death and a fine ranging from Five
Plants Classified as hundred pesos (P500,000) to Ten million pesos
Dangerous Drugs (P10,000,000)
CHED and TESDA’s roles and responsibilities to prevent drug addiction in the schools.
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is responsible for:
a. Integrating drug abuse prevention concepts in the technical, vocational and agro-
industrial courses
b. Integrating drug abuse prevention concepts in appropriate instructional materials for
technical education and skills development
3. Should drug abuse prevention and control be part of the school curricula?
Yes, Article IV, Sec. 43 of Republic Act 9164 stipulates that instruction on drug
abuse prevention and control be integrated in the elementary, secondary and tertiary
curricula of all public and private schools, whether general, technical, vocational or agro-
industrial.
4. What are the topics on drug abuse prevention and control that should be integrated
in the instruction?
According to Article IV, Sec. 43, the following topics should be covered:
a. Adverse effects of the abuse and misuse of dangerous drugs on the person, the family,
the school, and the community;
b. Preventive measures against drug abuse;
c. Health, socio-cultural, psychological, legal and economic dimensions and
implications of the drug problem;
d. Steps to take when intervening on behalf of a drug dependent is needed;
e. Services available for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents;
f. Misconceptions about the use of dangerous drugs but not limited to the importance
and safety of dangerous drugs of medical and therapeutic use; and
g. Differentiation between medical patients and drug dependents in order to avoid
confusion and accidental stigmatization in the consciousness of the students.
Input No. 5: The Youth and Government's Response to the Drug Problem
By the turn of the 21"century, substance abuse has taken an alarming proportion in the
country "Shabu (the local name for methamphetamine) has become the number one drug of
abuse, followed by marijuana and inhalants. The abuse of legal substances like nicotine and
alcohol continue to be worrisome. A survey by the University of the Philippines Population
Institute in 1996 showed the initial age of use of nicotine, alcohol, and drugs to be age 16-17,
that 40% of males surveyed were smoking and 37% of the youth regularly used alcohol. At
present, more than 1.5 million Filipinos are users of illegal drugs. The youth are especially hard
hit. They are the greatest number of drug users. Among them are more than 350,000 identified
high school students in the country. One can only speculate on the number of young people
abusing drugs not identified.
Various activities, to date, are initiated and are aimed to produce the following effects on
young people:
3. increase the ability to plan ahead and choose effective solutions to problems;
4. improve self-image and self-awareness;
5. improve social and emotional adjustment;
6. improve handling of interpersonal problems and coping with anxiety;
7. improve constructive conflict resolution with peers; and
8. improve self-control.
Early in 2004, the Dangerous Drugs Board launched the program "Barkada Kontra
Droga" (or "Peers Against Drugs"). The specific thrust of this program is drug abuse prevention.
This concept tries to change the meaning of the word "barkada" or "peer" which connotes
a negative influence among peers. Each member of the "Barkada Kontra Droga" pledges to keep
his community and family safe and secure from the evils of illegal drugs. Further, he is asked to
commit to convince friends and relatives to join the fight against drugs and trafficking, never to
use drugs, and to report clandestine laboratories, pushers and users.
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National Service Training Program
Lucban, Quezon
The soundness of the activity we do today will contribute to the success of the program
we have together with our clients in the days to come.
Our involvement…
To be involved in drug prevention and control requires a S.T.R.O.N.G. group:
S - Steadfast personality
N - Noble character
As good citizens…
Let us be keepers of life and create a safe environment through our respective positions.
References:
1. PD 1619 "Volatile Solvents"
2. RA 9165 Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
3. Espiritu RI et al.(2012). National Service Training Program with Specific Modules
4. Labuguen, F.et al.. Understanding the National Service Training Program
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