Chapter III

DRUG EDUCATION

Objectives

1. Provide knowledge and understanding on basic terms and concepts

on Drug Education;
2. Establish a society which is free from the menace of dangerous
drugs;
3. Familiarize students’ about the commonly abused drugs and their
adverse effects;
4. Make the students’, parents’ /family, teachers/ school and the
church aware of their roles in establishing a drug- free society;
5. Provide support to the government in its campaign against drug
abuse.

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 legiti-
mately 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.

Drugs referred to in this chapter are not being used for therapeutic pur-
poses. 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.

Lesson 9.1 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.

103
 Coursebook in CWTS I

Lesson 9.2 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 condi-
tion 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 func-
tion.”

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 symp-
toms 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
104
 Drug Education

results to dependence. The user develops tolerance which requires an in-

creasing 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 9.3 Classification of Commonly Abused Drugs

9.3.1 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 deterio
rate.

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

105
 Coursebook in CWTS I

9.3.2 Stimulants

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 devel-
oped and the drugs are not used. These can lead to serious mental changes,
psychotic manifestations, suicidal or homicidal tendencies
b. Amphetamines are use to suppressed appetite or as diet pills. Because
of their ability to make people awake, they become very popular among stu-
dents 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.

9.3.3 Hallucinogens or Psychedelics

These 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, recur-
rence 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

9.3.4 Inhalants

Inhalants are substances which are inhaled through nose or mouth cat-
egorized 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.

106
 Drug Education

Lesson 9.4 Factors that leads to Drug Abuse

9.4.1 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.

9.4.2 Peer Pressure/Peer Group Factor

Social acceptance and the need for belongingness is a psychological and

sociological factor that an individual faces in the pursuit of attaining self iden-
tity and self-worth. The pressure of friends compels a teenager who is adven-
turous 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 be-
comes 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.

9.4.3 Personality Factor

Studies 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 satisfac-
tion which are not felt in the absence of drugs.

9.4.4 Mass Media

The image and circumstances happening in the country projected by televi-

sion, 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 con-
cerning the dangerous effects of illegal drugs, the viewing and listening public
especially the young ones end up confused.

107
 Coursebook in CWTS I

9.4.5 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
can be extremely harmful and destructive if not used appropriately, worst,
they 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.

9.4.6 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 9.5 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.
108
 Drug Education

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 which results to sudden and
dramatic 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 one’s 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 9.6 Person responsible in preventing Drug Abuse?

The Dangerous Drug Board (Ideas for Action,1975) and Leffton and
Valvatne (1985) suggest the following:

9.6.1The Person himself

9.6.1.1 Understand, respect and accept himself;

1. Develop his potential and engage in wholesome, productive, and

satisfying activities;
2. Learn to relate effectively with others and have a confidant to
whom he can communicate personal problems freely;

109
 Coursebook in CWTS I

3. Learn to cope with personal problems and other stresses without

the use of drugs;
4. Seek professional help for problems he cannot cope with;
5. Develop strong moral and spiritual values
6. Learn about the effects of drug use, the reasons drugs are
harmful, and ways to resist pressures to try drugs; and
7. Use an understanding of the danger posed by drugs to help
other students avoid them.

9.6.1.2 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.
2. Attention provided to children should go beyond monetary or
financial support.
3. Openness between and among members of the family is very
important.
4. 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.
5. Take time to be with the children no matter how busy they are;
6. Strengthen moral and spiritual values- the foundation of strong
and stable personality;
7. 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.

9.6.1.3 The Teachers/School

The Teachers can help drug abuse if they:

1. Know their students strengths and weaknesses, needs and

abilities;
2. Are sensitive to their students’ needs and problems;
3. Establish rapport with their students to gain their confidence;
4. Encourage their students to participate in co-curricular activities
which will further enhance their mental health and strengthen
their moral and spiritual values;
5. Use teaching approaches and strategies that are effective and
stimulating to the students;
6. Show models of good behavior; and
7. Help the implementation of RA 6425 regarding the role to be
observed by teachers in the identification and apprehension of
drug dependents.

110
 Drug Education

The schools can help prevent drug abuse if they:

1. Determine the extent and character of drug use and establish a

means of monitoring that use regularly;
2. Establish clear and specific rules regarding drug use that include
strong corrective actions;
3. Enforce establish policies against drug use fairly and consistently;
and implement security measures to eliminate drugs on school
premises;
4. Implement a comprehensive drug prevention curriculum; and
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.

9.6.1.4 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.

9.6.1.5 The Church

As a social institution, the church is entrusted with the

humanitarian tasks of moral guidance of the youth and it’s
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.

111
 Coursebook in CWTS I

Exercise No.2
Drug Education

Name: Score:
Course & Year Date:
a
Test I: Multiple choice. Choose the correct phrase being described
by shading the circle that corresponds to the correct answer.

1. Which of the following institutions can help in the campaign

against drug abuse?

Church Family
School All of the above

2. Which is not a physical effect of drug abuse

Malnutrition Sensory distortion

Community Damage to vital organs
hazard
3. Which is an economic effect of drug abuse?

Dependence on family Inability to hold stable job

Accident in industry All of the above

4. Which of the following leads to drug abuse?

Peer pressure Family factor

Mass media All of the above
5. Which of the following is not a depressant or “downers”?

Narcotics Barbiturates
Psychedelics Sedatives

6. Intravenous drug users are prone to

AIDS Hepatitis B
Blood borne diseases None of the above

7. Cocaine, amphetamines and caffeine are:.

Depressants Hallucinogens
Inhalants Stimulants

8. The deliberate use of a substance or drug other than its

intended purpose.

Drug dependence Drug abuse

Drug addiction Both a & b
112
 Drug Education

9. Methamphetamine Hydrochloride is commonly known as:

Marijuana Angel’s dust

Shabu Ecstasy

10. Drug is a chemical substance that brings about:

a Physical change Emotional change

Behavioral change All of the above

11. A term given to describe these drugs because they carry

the user into an unreal or surrealistic world.

Illusionary drugs Sedatives

Depressants Barbiturates

12. It is the most common depressant which has a tranquilizing

effect.

Alcohol Sedatives
Narcotics Barbiturates

13. Refers to the quantity of drugs taken which is beyond what

is desired or prescribed.

Drug abuse Drug dependence

Drug addiction Drug overdose

14. It is the intense craving for drug; it described as

“physical” dependence on a drug

Drug abuse Drug dependence

Drug addiction Drug overdosedrug.

15. Heroine is the most popular example of what drug?

Alcohol Sedatives
Narcotics Barbiturates

16. These are pain relieving and sleep inducing drugs and
some times referred to as “opiates.”

Alcohol Sedatives
Narcotics Barbiturates

17. A drug that makes a person hyperactive as manifested in

increased alertness and activity and produce opposite effects
brought about by sedatives.

Depressants Sedatives
Inhalants Stimulants
113
Physical Effects Mental Social Economic
Effects Effects Effects
Coursebook in CWTS I

18. They alter one’s perception of the external world and distort
a person’s concept of reality.

Cocaine Narcotics
Caffeine Amphetamines

19. They are use to suppressed appetite or as diet pills and have
the ability to make people awake for a long period of time.

Cocaine Narcotics
Caffeine Amphetamines

20. One of the social effects of drug use and drug abuse is

Malnutrition Dependency
Criminal involvement Mind deterioration

Test II: Essay

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

2. What are the harmful effects of drug abuse?

3. As a student, how can you help solve the problem of drug

abuse and promote a “drug free society”.

114