CDI 7

LESSON’S:
1. The Drug Situation in the Philippines
 Anti-Drug Laws and Strategies
 Assessment of the Drug Problem

Introduction: No community in the Philippines has escaped the problems of illicit drug use. Despite
years of drug suppression efforts by all levels of government and by numerous anti-drug organizations,
the cycle of drug used continues. The illicit drug trade and abuse have reached towns and barangays not
previously affected. New trafficking routs have emerged, new marketing strategy for illegal drugs have
been developed, and illegal drug syndicates have easily replaced their neutralized and jail members.

Objective: at the end of the lesson the students are expected to;
 Familiarized the history of Anti-Drug Laws
 Create their own assessment on today’s illegal drugs situation in the country
 Enlightened on the Drug situation in the society.

Discussion;

Anti-Drug Laws and Strategies

When Republic Act No. 6425, also known as The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 was promulgated
in March of the same year, the average age was 18 years old and the majority were single drug users.
The main drugs of abuse then were Marijuana, Valium, Mercodol, Mogadon, Mandrax, Opium, Heroin
and various cough preparations. The execution of Lim Seng in 1972 dried up the supply of heroin in the
streets and from then on, this drug never recovered its marketability. On November 9, 1972,
Presidential Decree No. 44 amended Section 4 of Republic Act No. 6425. From 1972 to 1977 , the
average worth of seized illicit drugs was only 11 million pesos. Within this five years span, only 3,000
marijuana plants were destroyed and/or seized and the average confiscation of dried marijuana leaves
was only 48 kilograms. By 1980, the number of users increased to 250,000.

Drug users who were hooked on marijuana and other forms of regulated drugs were
concentrated in Metro Manila. It was the principal distribution area of dangerous drugs. Foreign
traffickers were detected to have smuggled in Hashish and Mogadon Tablets. This foreigners were also
engaged in shipping out marijuana to Japan. Most of the were Americans while the rest were Chinese,
Japanese, Swiss, Arabs and Pakistanis.

Presidential Decree No. 1675, supplemented by General Order No. 65; Presidential Decree No.
1683, and Presidential Decree No. 1708, all procedural in nature, were promulgated to supposedly give
more teeth to our Drug Laws.

1981 – The rise of drug use continued. Marijuana abused accounted for 97% . However, the abuse and
trafficking of heroin, and other opiates, LSD and cocaine remained under control. By this time, there
were around 312,000 drug users. With the growing number of drug users, the government implemented
treatment and rehabilitation programs by putting up more dormitories. But despite all efforts the drug
users population increased by 10%.

1982 - Batas Pambansa Blg. 179 effected another procedural amendments to Republic Act No. 6425.
The law itemized prohibited drugs and their derivatives. Narcotics preparations, opiates, opium poppy
straw, leaves or wrapping, whether prepared for used or not, were classified as dangerous drugs.

1983 - There were 343, 750 drug users and more nongovernment organizations started to assist the
governments demand reduction programs. The Law Enforcement capabilities were further
strengthened. Strategies for program implementation were made known to the public. The government,
sensing that the drug problem was transcending international boundaries, established linkage and
mutual cooperation with regional and international organization to complement its two pronged

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strategy of Supply Reduction and Demand Reduction (SRDR). Cannabis related arrests and seizures
remained on top with 93.16% of the total interdiction efforts. The abused drugs were Corex – D,
Hylorin, Valium, Ornacol, Peracon, Mercodol DM and Lagaflex. These regulated drugs were the popular
cough syrups, tranquilizers and muscle relaxants being sold over the counter at drugstores.

1984 – Soaring cultivation of marijuana became widespread, with cannabis cultivation. Magadon tablets
continued to be a popular choice as pharmaceutical drugs the second most abused group of drugs.
Likewise, an amphetamine-type stimulants known as “shabu” was monitored to have arrived in the
country. However, no seizures or arrest were made.

1986 – Polydrug abuse was commonly practiced by drug users, majority of whom belonged to the 15 to
24 age group. For a period of two years, the drug user population increased to 450,000. Arrest and
seizures were doubled due to intensified efforts of drug law enforcement agencies.

1987 – Saw the emergence of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” as the most abused drug.
This drug has similar effects as cocaine, its uses was confined to more affluent members of the society,
including those from the entertainment industry. It was also during this time that Hong-Kong based
syndicates engage in the trafficking of this drug initially established tie-ups with Filipino-Chinese
syndicates.
- The Philippine Constitution of 1987 abolished the death penalty under Republic Act No.
6425. Coincidentally, the removal of the death penalty in 1987 started the rise in the
members of Chinese syndicates using shabu as their main trade. It gave drug traffickers a
breathing spell and shabu slowly crawled into the local market.

1988 – Statistics showed there were 480,000 drug users in the Philippines, 70% of whom were in metro
manila. Shabu emerged as the seconf most popular drug of abuse, next to marijuana and cough syrup
preparations.

1989 – Demand and reduction efforts were centered on preventive education and information and
rehabilitation. The perception then was that drug users were social and health victims and were
therefore not potential criminals.

1990 – The abuse of shabu continued to rise and there were 500,000 drug users recorded. The average
age of a drug user was 24 years old, the ratio of male to female drug abusers were 10:1, and in 1991 it
was increased to 15:1. Shadu was as popular as marijuana. This condition was brought about by the
increased involvement of foreign and domestic drug trafficking syndicates.

1993 – Philippines remained a transit country for heroin and cocaine. Drug couriers were identified as
Thai, American, African, and Swedish nationals. Drug abusers became polydrug users, characterized by
simultaneous use of stimulants and depressants. There were 800,000 drug users recorded during that
year. Republic Act No. 6425 was further amended with the imposition of Republic Act No. 7659 or “The
Heinous Crime Law” which including certain activities under illicit drug trafficking.
-The Death Penalty was restored on December 13 1993. The new law did not really strengthen
Republic Act No. 6425 but reduced drug law enforcement efforts because the gravity of punishment was
now based of the quantity of the drug seized and no longer based on drug pushing.

1994 – Drug problem become more alarming despite sustained implementation of the National Drug
Control and Prevention of (SRDR). The importation of large volumes of shabu was detected and more
seizures and arrests of foreign-based drug syndicate were recorded. Likewise, methaqualone re-
emerged briefly after 6years of absence from the drug scene when a clandestine methaqualone
laboratory was discovered and neutralized in Metro Manila where 11 Indian nationals were arrested.

1995 – Shabu and cannabis abuse persisted. The well-financed and sophisticated foreign-based
syndicate’s controlled shabu imports. The drug user average become older with the age of 25. More
buy-bust operations were operations were launched against the merchant of death, majority of whom
were members of the so-called “Chinese Triad”. The Narcotics Group of the PNP, seized several billion
pesos worth of illegal drugs.

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1996 – More highly shabu interdictions were launched. At the treatment and rehabilitation centers, the
number of new and re-admitted cases increased in this year by 19% and 20% respectively. Despite the
accomplishment of PNP’s Narcotics Group, which seized multi-billions of pesos worth of illicit drugs, the
drug user population increased to 1.7 million in 1997 and in 1998 it reached 2 million.

Assessment of the Drug Problem

The government’s efforts at preventive education and information, treatment and
rehabilitation, gained headway. However, it failed to convert public awareness into a commitment and
concrete action to fight the drug problem. Consequently, it failed to prevent the increase of drug used
resulting in a higher demand for drugs.

With limited government resources to truly make the Supply Reduction Strategy succeed, some
agencies however, performed commendably in the neutralization of drug syndicates. More importantly,
it was noted that various government agencies preferred to work independently of one another,
exhibiting no semblance whatsoever of unity or cooperation.

The drug menace is a global problem. The government however, has failed to maximize the
potentials of international cooperation and coordination as main strategies for fighting drug abuse. This
is evident in the lack of international networks or narcotics attaches in “source countries”

Likewise, the handover of Hong Kong by the United Kingdom to China was seen dislocate
established networks, thereby hampering the government’s efforts to prevent the influx of illegal drugs
into the country considering that China is generally considered as the main source of shabu. The
involvement of drug syndicates based in Hong Kong has also been anticipated and monitored.

Important Terminologies
Most definitions are based on those given in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Lexicon of Alcohol
and Drug Terms (Geneva, 1994). They have been modified/adapted to the purpose of this publication.
Cross-referenced terms are given in italics. ABUSE Because WHO found the term “abuse” ambiguous, it
abandoned its use; instead the WHO glossary speaks of “harmful use” and “hazardous use”, which is
defined as follows:

Harmful use: A pattern of psychoactive substance use that is causing damage to health, physical or
mental. Harmful use commonly, but not invariably, has adverse social consequences.

Hazardous use: A pattern of substance use that increases the risk of harmful consequences for the user.
In contrast to harmful use, hazardous use refers to patterns of use that are of public health significance
despite the absence of any current disorder in the individual user.

In the context of international drug control, drug abuse constitutes the use of any substance under
international control outside therapeutic indications, in excessive dose levels, or over an unjustified
period of time.

ABUSE LIABILITY The propensity of a particular psychoactive substance to be susceptible to abuse,

defined in terms of the relative probability that use in the substance will result in social, psychological
and physical problems for an individual or for society. ADDICTION The terms “addiction” and
“habituation” were abandoned by WHO in 1964 in favour of “drug dependence”. However, since those
terms are still widely used, below is a definition of “addiction”. “Addiction” refers to the repeated use of
a psychoactive substance or substances, to the extent that the user is periodically or chronically
intoxicated, shows a compulsion to take the preferred substance (or substances), has great difficulty in
voluntarily ceasing or modifying substance use, and exhibits determination to obtain psychoactive
substances by almost any means.

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ADVERSE DRUG REACTION In the general medical and pharmacological fields, “adverse drug reaction”
denotes a toxic physical or (less common) psychological reaction to a therapeutic agent. the context of
drug abuse, the term includes unpleasant psychological and physical reactions to drug taking.

AMPHETAMINE-TYPE STIMULANTS (ATS)

A group of substances, mostly synthetic, with closely related chemical structure
which have, to varying degrees, a stimulating effect on the central nervous system
(CNS). Based on the predominant pharmacological effect (at common dose levels),
the group comprises (a) CNS stimulants such as amphetamine, methamphetamine
and methylphenidate; (b) anorectics (appetite suppressants) such as phenmetrazine,
amfepramone (diethylpropion); and (c) entactogens or “ecstasy”-type substances
such as MDMA (“Ecstasy”) and MDA.

ANALGESIC
A substance that reduces pain and may or may not have psychoactive properties.

ANTIDEPRESSANT
Any of a group of psychoactive agents prescribed for the treatment of depressive
disorders. There are three main classes: (a) tricyclic antidepressants, (b) serotonin
receptor agonists and uptake blockers, and (c) monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
None of the common antidepressants is under international control.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS)

The system comprising the brain and spinal cord, together with nerve endings,
which is responsible for changing mood and behavior that is usually under control
of the will.

(DRUG) DEPENDENCE
The term was introduced in 1964 by a WHO Expert Committee to replace “addiction” and “habituation”.
“Drug dependence” comprises a cluster of physiological, behavioral and cognitive
phenomena of variable intensity, in which the use of a psychoactive drug (or drugs)
takes on a high priority. It implies a need for repeated doses of the drug to feel
good or avoid feeling bad.

PSYCHOLOGICAL or PSYCHIC DEPENDENCE refers to the experience of

impaired control over drug use.

PHYSIOLOGICAL or PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE involves the development

of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of use of the drug, as a
consequence of the body’s adaptation to the continued presence of a drug.

DEPRESSANT
Any agent that suppresses, inhibits, or decreases some aspects of central nervous
system (CNS) activity. The main classes of CNS depressants are (a) sedative/
hypnotics, (b) opioids, and (c) neuroleptics.
The group of “depressants” includes alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, nonbarbiturate drugs such
as methaqualone and meprobamate, and opiates. Their
effects range from sedation and induction of sleep, through hypnosis to general
anesthesia. The effects produced depend on the specific drug used and the dose
taken.

DESIGNER DRUG
Novel chemical substance with psychoactive properties, designed on the basis of
the chemical structure of a given parent drug and synthesized specifically for sale
on the illicit market and to circumvent regulations on controlled substances. The
term was coined in the 1980s. The concept of drug design, however, is not limited

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to clandestine operations, but is one of the guiding principles of drug development
in the pharmaceutical industry.

DOSE
Generally speaking a “dose” is considered that quantity of a drug which is required
to elicit the desired response in the individual, both in medicine and for abuse
purposes.

DRUG
A term of varied usage. In medicine, it refers to any substance with the potential
to prevent or cure disease or enhance physical or mental welfare; in pharmacology
it means any chemical agent that alters the biochemical or physiological processes
of tissues or organisms.
In the context of international drug control, “drug” means any of the substances in
Schedule I and II of the 1961 Convention, whether natural or synthetic.
Usage of the term “illicit drug” should be avoided, as it is the manufacture, distribution, use etc. of a
drug which is illicit, but not the substance itself.

DRUG TESTING
The identification and chemical analysis of drugs in seized material and biological
specimens, such as urine, blood, hair, etc.

ECSTASY
Originally, the term “ecstasy” was used as street name for the psychoactive substance MDMA (3,4-
methylenedioxy-methamphetamine). This narrow usage has however widened, and today “ecstasy” is
frequently used to describe the whole
group of related substances, in particular if marketed in tablet form at so-called
“rave” parties. For the user, it is almost impossible to predict which drugs are
present in a street preparation sold as “ecstasy”.

ENTACTOGEN
Term derived from the Greek “en” (inside) and “gen” (to induce) and the Latin
“tactus” (tact). It describes a condition that allows users to “make contact” with
their own feelings and those of others. Examples of controlled drugs include
MDMA (“ecstasy”).

HABITUATION
The terms “addiction” and “habituation” were abandoned by WHO in 1964 in
favor of “drug dependence”. However, since those terms are still widely used,
below is a definition of “habituation”.
“Habituation” means becoming accustomed to any behavior or condition.

HALLUCINOGEN
Strictly speaking, a chemical agent that induces illusions, hallucinations, delusions,
paranoid ideations and other alterations of mood and thinking that are observed in
spontaneously occurring psychotic states. The term is generally used to also encompass substances
which induce altered states of perception, thought and feeling,
even without producing overt hallucinations.
Substances under international control, classified as hallucinogens include LSD,
phencyclidine (PCP), mescaline, psilocybin, and some hallucinogenic amphetamine. See also
“psychedelic”.

HYPNOTIC
Any of a group of central nervous system depressants with the capacity to induce
sleep. Major classes of sedatives/hypnotics include the benzodiazepines and barbiturates. See also
“sedative”

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LONG-TERM EFFECTS
Effects resulting from the frequent repeated use, or prolonged continuous use of a
drug.

NARCOTIC DRUG
In medicine, a chemical agent that induces stupor, coma, or insensibility to pain
(also called narcotic analgesic).
In the context of international drug control, “narcotic drug” means any drug
defined as such under the 1961 Convention.

NEUROLEPTIC
Any of a group of drugs used for the treatment of acute and chronic psychoses.
Also known as major tranquillizers and antipsychotics. Neuroleptics have low
abuse potential.

OPIATE
Any of a group of alkaloids derived from opium poppy (Papaver somniferum),
such as morphine and codeine, including their derivatives, such as heroin.

OPIOID
A generic term applied to opiates and their synthetic analogues, with actions similar to those of
morphine, in particular the capacity to relieve pain.

OVERDOSE The use of any drug in such an amount that acute adverse physical or mental effects are
produced. PHARMACOLOGY Pharmacology is the science of drugs, including their sources, appearance,
chemical composition, properties, biological actions, and therapeutic uses. It also covers allied fields
such as toxicology and posology. POSOLOGY “Posology” is the study of dosage and is an important
division of pharmOVERDOSE
The use of any drug in such an amount that acute adverse physical or mental
effects are produced.

PHARMACOLOGY
Pharmacology is the science of drugs, including their sources, appearance, chemical composition,
properties, biological actions, and therapeutic uses. It also covers
allied fields such as toxicology and posology.

POSOLOGY
“Posology” is the study of dosage and is an important division of pharmacology.
Knowledge of the dose of commonly used drugs is essential to acquire confidence
in prescribing.

PSYCHEDELIC
The distinct feature of “psychedelic” drugs is their capacity to induce states of
altered perception, thought and feeling that are not experienced otherwise except
in dreams or at times of religious exaltation; they can, but not necessarily, produce
overt hallucinations.

PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE
Any chemical agent affecting the mind or mental processes (i.e. any
psychoACTIVE drug).acology. Knowledge of the dose of commonly used drugs is essential to acquire
confidence in prescribing. PSYCHEDELIC The distinct feature of “psychedelic” drugs is their capacity to
induce states of altered perception, thought and feeling that are not experienced otherwise except in
dreams or at times of religious exaltation; they can, but not necessarily, produce overt hallucinations
PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE Any chemical agent affecting the mind or mental processes (i.e. any
psychoACTIVE drug).

SEDATIVE

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Any of a group of central nervous system depressants with the capacity of relieving anxiety and inducing
calmness. Major classes of sedatives/hypnotics include
the benzodiazepines and barbiturates. See also “hypnotic”

SIDE EFFECTS
See “adverse drug reaction”.

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
Effects produced by a single dose or a short period of continuous administration
of a drug.

STIMULANT
In reference to the central nervous system (CNS), any agent that activates, enhances, or increases neural
activity; also called psychostimulants or CNS stimulants. Included are amphetamine-type stimulants,
cocaine, caffeine, nicotine, etc.
Other drugs have stimulant actions which are not their primary effect but which
may be manifest in high doses or after chronic use.

TOLERANCE
A decrease in response to a drug dose that occurs with continued use, i.e. increased
drug doses are required to achieve the effects originally produced by lower
doses.

TOXICOLOGY
“Toxicology” is the science of substances as causes of side effects and disease in
man, including their sources, appearance, chemical composition, properties, biological actions,
detection and methods of treatment (antidotes). See also “pharmacology”.

TRANQUILLIZER
A tranquillizer is a calming agent. The term can be used to differentiate between
these drugs and the sedative/hypnotics: tranquillizers have a quieting or damping
effect on psychomotor processes without—except at high doses—interference with
consciousness or thinking

WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME
A group of symptoms of variable clustering and degree of severity which occur on
cessation or reduction of use of a psychoactive substance that has been taken
repeatedly, usually for a prolonged period and/or in high doses.

Personalities
1. Shen Nung – used marijuana for treating stomach disorder in 2700 BC, she also accidentally
discover TEA, (caffeine)
2. Hippocrates – father of medicine, he recommended the use of opium as a treatment to different
types of sickness (research for Hippocratic Oath)
3. Paracelcus – introduced the use of LAUDUNUN, a tincture of opium into the practice of medicine.
4. Louis Herbert - he is the first cannabis hemp that was sown by a European on Canadian soil.
5. John rolfe – the husband of the American Indian princess Pocahontas. He was the first to ship
tobacco from James Town , Virginia to England
6. Michael Federovitch – A Russian who executes people to which tobacco was found during the 17 th
BC
7. Friedrich Adam Wilhelm Serturner – first to isolate and described the drug morphine in 1806. He
is a German pharmacist who discovered Morphine, the first derivative of opium.
8. Alexander wood – introduced hypodermic needle/ syringe in 1853 that used a true syringe and
hollow needle

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9. Alder wright – Charles Romley Alder Wright , a British chemist who discovered
Heroin(Diacetylmorphine) in 1896 which was synthesized from the drug morphine.
10. Albert Nieman – first to coin the term cocaine, He isolated cocaine from coca leaves in 1859.
11. Friedlib Fredinand Runge – isolated caffeine from coffee in 1828.
12. Jean Nicot De Villemain – sent tobacco and seed from Brazil to Paris. Introduced the term
“Nicotine”

Activity: Essay

1. Differentiate the difference in the effectiveness of government in suppressing drugs related

activities. from Aquino’s administration to Duterte administration.
2. Did our present Government succeed to abolish the Drug syndicates and their activities today?
3. What is the present drug situation in the Philippines?
4. How Shen Nung discovered TEA?
5. What is your expectation in this subject?

Reference:
Comprehensive Drug Education (Oscar Soriano BSCrim, MSBA, MACrim, PhdCrim)