Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula
Division of City Schools
DON PABLO LORENZO MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
Gov. Ramos Avenue, Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in Esp X

Illegal Drugs

Proponents:
Louis Carl L. Abayon
Brian Ghan L. Abdulgani
Jessie J Quilantang Jr.
Jeoff Nikko A. Ricafort
Izhar James B. Sandoval
Ysmail D. Singkee
Noel Tubio
Alexis Anthony C. Turla
10 STEM A

Esp Adviser:
Carlben Tianes
II. INTRODUCTION

A.

There’s no escape from the fact; the crime rate continues to increase every single day

despite the governments taking so many precautionary measures [2]. Drugs have always been

highly criticized by critics. A person who is addicted to drug will at one point in time do

something he/she isn’t supposed to do. Drug addicts are often unable to get rid of addiction as

a result of which their life starts getting filled with bad habits. A poor lifestyle compels a

person to adopt habits which he/she should distance themselves from. After research, when

the most violent criminals were asked about their crimes, they blamed drugs as the main

reason. Drug addiction is another rampantly growing disease which has slowly encapsulated

many parts of the world. As many as 0.7 million people die from drug addiction in US alone

[2]. In 2008, heroin seizures reached a record level of 73.7 metric tons. The majority of

heroin was seized in the near and Middle East as well as in South-East Asia (39% of the

world total), South-Eastern Europe (24%) and Central and Western Europe (10 %). The

global increase in heroin seizures over the period 2007-2008 follows growing increases in the

number of seizures by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkey. In 2008, the two countries

made more than half of the world's heroin seizures and recorded the two largest seizures in

the world, for the third consecutive year [3]. The National Capital Region remains to be the

main hub in the manufacturing of “shabu” in the country. Manufacturing activities are done

in residential areas, posh villages, apartments and condominiums. Marijuana cultivation is

still largely concentrated in Northern Luzon, particularly in high-altitude and mountainous

areas [4]. Emerson Margate, PDEA Zamboanga peninsula director, said various courts

ordered the destruction of 5.01 kilos of “shabu” valued at P31 million and 16 kilos of

marijuana as these were no longer needed as evidence in drug cases. Margate said the illegal
drugs, which were destroyed through incineration, were seized in various operations in the

region [6].

B.

As student, drugs should not be legalized because drugs can damage brain structure

and function, resulting in long term psychological effects, such as depression, anxiety and

etc. People with mental health issues also have a higher rate of drug use problems. A person

using drugs can sometimes have a bad reaction also called a ‘bad trip’ [6]. This is often

linked to hallucinogenic drugs. During a terrible trip, the intensity of the high can be

overwhelming and terrifying, and the user might become unstable, even aggressive. They run

the risk of hurting themselves and/or others. Drugs can also cause permanent physical and

emotional damage to users and negatively impacting their relatives and many others with

whom they have contact. Other people said that drugs has an advantage which can make them

energetic but the disadvantage of it is worst for example if they don`t have money they will

steal, kill or any negatives doing just to have money so that they can buy drugs. This will lead

to high crime rates and poverty.  

III. ARGUMENTS ON THE ISSUE

A.

There is no escaping the truth that, despite governments' best efforts, crime rates

continue to rise every day. Drugs have always been a source of controversy among skeptics.

A drug addict will do something he or she isn't supposed to do at some point in their lives.

Drug abusers are frequently unable to overcome their addiction, and as a result, their lives

become cluttered with negative behaviors. A bad lifestyle forces a person to engage in

behaviors that he or she should avoid. When the most violent criminals were asked about

their crimes, they claimed narcotics as the main cause, according to studies another rapidly
spreading disease that has steadily engulfed many parts of the globe is drug addiction. In the

United States alone, 0.7 million individuals die from drug addiction. Seizures of heroin hit a

new high of 73.7 metric tons in 2008. The majority of heroin was seized in the Near and

Middle East, as well as South-East Asia (39 percent of global total), South-Eastern Europe

(24 percent), and Central and Western Europe (14 percent) (10 percent). The rise in global

heroin seizures from 2007 to 2008 coincided with rising numbers of seizures in the Islamic

Republic of Iran and Turkey.

For the third year in a row, the two countries accounted for more than half of the world's

heroin seizures and had the two greatest seizures. The National Capital Region continues to

be the country's primary "shabu" production center. Residential districts, luxury villages,

apartments, and condominiums are where manufacturing takes place. Marijuana farming is

still mostly concentrated in Northern Luzon, particularly in high-altitude and mountainous

locations. Various courts ordered the destruction of 5.01 kilograms of "shabu" valued at P31

million and 16 kilos of marijuana, according to PDEA Zamboanga peninsula head Emerson

Margate, because they were no longer needed as evidence in drug cases. The illegal

substances, which were burned through cremation, were seized in a number of raids across

the region, according to Margate.

B.

Drugs are chemicals that affect our brain and body. Some effects of drugs include

health problems that are often permanent even continuing even the person stopped taking the

substance. One of the ways of taking these substances is through injection. This way, the

substance is directly injected into the bloodstream that causes immediate impact. They cause

large amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate our emotions, motivations
and feelings of pleasure [1]. Examples of long term psychological effects are depression,

anxiety, increased aggression, hallucinations, paranoia etc. [1].

C.

In the year 2018, there were approximately 47,000 cases of crimes that involves

illegal drugs in the Philippines. Majority of drug-related crimes in the Philippines were

solved and 709 were cleared [1].

IV.OWN POSITION ON THE ISSUE

A.

Usage of illegal drugs affects us negatively in a lot of ways. Based from our research,

drugs is among the top 10 reasons of crime in the world. In 2018, there were approximately

47 thousand cases of crimes involving illegal drugs in the Philippines. The majority of the

Philippines’ drug-related crime incidents were solved, and 709 were cleared for the crime.

Drugs have always been highly criticized by critics. A person who is addicted to drug will at

one point in time do something he/she isn’t supposed to do [5]. There is a close relationship

between drug abuse and crime. Drug abusers commit crimes to pay for their drugs and this

inflicts damages to the society. Moreover, many criminals are under the influence of drugs

while committing crimes. Drug trafficking is another outcome of drug abuse.

B.

We might think that it’s an easy choice to stop using. Using drugs can cause broken

relationships, violence, arrest, mental health disorders, and tragic health effects like overdose.

Studies show that using drugs increases your risk of mental health issues such as anxiety,

depression and psychosis because they want to feel good, to feel better, or to feel like they
belong. People with mental health disorders are also more likely to have drug abuse issues.

Drugs can have short-term and long-term effects. These effects can be physical and

psychological, and can include dependency. Drugs affect your body's central nervous system.

They affect how you think, feel and behave. The three main types are depressants,

hallucinogens and stimulants. [7]

C.

The use of illegal also leads to poverty, because drugs are addictive, they drive

individuals insane. Drug addicts are unable to control their use of illegal substances, forcing

them to acquire or consume drugs even when they are unable to pay for them. They may even

use money that is not intended for them to purchase drugs, such as money from their family's

savings account. There were an estimated 51,582 people with opiate and/or benzodiazepine

drug problems in Scotland in 2003 and the overall unemployment rate of new contacts

seeking help from drug services has averaged out at an annual rate of 85% - a stark contrast

to the national unemployment rate of 5.2%.1. Furthermore, it is thought that 80-90 percent of

all Scottish detainees have been misusing their freedom. drugs and/or alcohol (Scottish

Consortium on Crime and Criminal Justice (SCCCJ) 2002), and that the most destitute

council ward areas have disproportionately high percentages of convicts.

IV. CONCLUSION

A. As long as there is drugs and manufacturers the crime rate will still go up despite the

government taking many actions. These addicts are often not able to get rid of the addiction

and will doo things they are not supposed to do and get filled with bad habits. Most criminal

who committed crime, they blamed drugs as the main reason. National Capital Region

remains to be the main hub of manufacturing "shabu" and growing marijuana in mountain

areas. Drugs that are not needed for the case is destroyed through incineration. So as a
student, illegal drugs should not be legalized because of the effects itself, so to prevent this

from happening we should understand how substance abuse develops like abusing

prescription medication. Avoid temptation and peer pressure, develop healthy friendships and

relationships by avoiding friends or family members who pressure you to use substances.

Seek help for mental illness, mental illness and substance abuse often go hand in hand. If you

are dealing with a mental illness such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder

you should seek professional help from a licensed therapist or counselor. Examine the risk

factors, look at your family history of mental illness and addiction, several studies have

shown that this disease tends to run in the family, but can be prevented. And keep well-

balanced life, people often turn to drugs and alcohol when something in their life is missing

or not working. Practicing stress management skills can help you overcome these life

stressors and will help you live a balanced and healthy life.
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Collins J, Cradock A, Timrots A, Fact Sheet: Drug-Related Crimes. , The Bureau of Justice

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Buddy T S, Health Effects of Illegal Drugs, Very Wellmind, August 12, 2021. , https://www.-

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