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HEADQUARTERS

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS


SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
DRUG SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND
CONTROL EDUCATION
I. Overview

A drug education program for youth is a significant undertaking,


especially for those who will be attending school. Presently, the youth of today
comprise the most vulnerable group that can be affected by prohibited drugs.
As revealed by General Edgar C. Galvante, former Executive Director,
Dangerous Drug Board, most drug users start their habit early, usually during
their teenage years. In the present situation, young people are susceptible to
the drug experience because adolescence is the period of experimentation,
exploration, curiosity, and search for identity. It is believed that young people
with problematic backgrounds are more vulnerable and are more likely to
continue abusing drugs once they have started and to develop other
aggravating problems if not processed. These young people in difficult
circumstances are associated with poverty, family disintegration, relocation,
discrimination, and a lack of suitable alternative activities.

Controlling and terminating drug abuse requires problem awareness,


education, and strategy implementation. In addition, positive behavior,
including the constructive handling of feelings and responsibilities, should be
installed and encouraged in our own families during the early lives of young
family members and carried on up to the later stages of life. These should be
nurtured by a caring and understanding community.
II. Learning Objectives:

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:


1. Synthesize accurate information on the health, legal, and social
consequence of drug and substance abuse and examine how this
negatively impacts the person who uses the drug, and his or her
family, friends, and community;
2. Identify prohibited acts and corresponding penalties; and
3. Make a personal commitment to remain drug-free and develop a
plan to address drug and substance abuse.

III. Discussion/Lesson Proper

Most of the reason why our youth is dragged into the abyss of drug
abuse is the lack of guidance from the family itself. Furthermore, the first
reason may be the parents are too busy with their jobs, giving less time to
their children. Second, parents have not finished schooling, making them less
informed and less aware of the effects of drugs. Third, the type of discipline of
the parents includes physical violence, in most cases in the Philippines, drives
away kids from home.

1 | SLSU NSTP ROTC


HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
Most Predominant Reason for drug addiction

● 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, drug abuse is a predator, a monster that preys on the innocent,
curious mind like those of teenagers. Hence, this module zeroes in on
uncovering the problem of drug abuse among youngsters and on finding ways
and means by which this societal menace could be lessened, if not
annihilated

Input No. 1: The Nature of Drug and Drug Abuse (FAQs)


What is a drug?
A drug is a chemical substance that brings about physical, emotional,
or behavioral changes in a person taking it.
How are drugs taken?
1. Ingestion
2. Inhalation
3. Injection
4. Used as a 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 a hypersensitive (allergic)
person in ordinary or even small amounts.

Why do people turn to drugs?


There are various reason-ranging from the reason that “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.

What is drug abuse?


Drug abuse is the use of a 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:

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
1. Using, without benefit or prescription, useful drugs which can
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.

What are the types of drugs?


Drugs that are commonly abused, depending on pharmacological
effects, may be classified into

1. Stimulants. Drugs that increase alertness and physical disposition.


Example: amphetamine, cocaine, caffeine, nicotine

2. Hallucinogens (Psychedelics). Drugs affect sensation, thinking,


self-awareness and emotion. Changes in time and space
perception. Delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations may be mild
or overwhelming, depending on the dose or quantity of the drugs.
Example: LSD, Mescaline, Devil’s Breath and Marijuana

3. Sedatives. Drugs that may reduce anxiety and excitement.


Example: Barbiturates, Non-barbiturates, Tranquilizers, Alcohol

4. Narcotics. Drugs that relieve pain and often induce sleep.


Example: Opium and its derivatives such as Morphine, Heroin,
Codeine
What is a drug abuser?
Anyone can be a drug abuser. Drug abuse is not respecter by 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.

How can you tell when one is abusing drugs?


A lot of changes – in behavior, appearance, and mood – occur in a
person who is abusing drugs. Sudden changes occur in a person’s disposition
from pleasant to unpleasant.
Thus, he:
1. is often associated with known drug abusers;
2. is irritable, discourteous, defiant, and aggressive;
3. is untrustworthy and lacks self-confidence;
4. is unhealthy and unconcerned with good grooming;
5. has low frustration tolerance;
6. lacks interest in his studies/work;
7. blames everybody and not himself for his problems;

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
8. develops changes in normal capabilities in school/work;
and
9. borrows money and at times steals various items unusually.
Common Signs of Drug Abuse

1. Injection mark of an addict

2. Unusual effort made to cover arms in

order to hide needle marks

3. Stealing items that can be readily sold

for cash to support a drug habit.

4. Changes in mood – depending on the

drug taken

Example: depressed or becoming

elated and Euphonic

5. Association with known drug abusers

6. Change from normal capabilities

(work habits, efficiency, etc.)

7. Change in attendance at work or

school

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
8. Wearing sunglasses constantly at

inappropriate times (for instance,

indoor or at night) or only to hide

dilated or constricted pupils but also to

compensate for the eyes ‘inability to

adjust to sunlight. Marijuana causes

bloodshot eyes

9. Poor physical appearance including

inattention to dress and personal hygiene

Input No. 2: The National Drug Situation


National Drug Situation
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.
It is today’s most profitable underground business which has spawned
yet is considered 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, large or small, equipped with sophisticated
machinery to fight money-laundering or not, can consider itself from money-
laundering activities”.
The World Drug Report by UN Office on Drugs and Crime (2015)
estimates that 246 million people, or 1 in 20 people between the age of 15
and 64, used drugs recreationally in 2013.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2016),1.4
million teenagers need treatment for illicit drug problem, and the number is
growing.
The Dangerous Drug Board (2020) reported that there were 1.6 million
drug users in the Philippines in 2019.
As per the Annual Report of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
(2020), the most commonly used drugs are shabu (95.47%); marijuana
(4.29%); cocaine, ecstasy, etc.(0.24%), while the majority of nation’s

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
barangay affected by drug use are National Capital Region (92.26%);
Region 4A (49.28%); and Region 7 (48.82%). In the same annual report,
three (3) of the user were 11 years old twelve (12) were 14 years old, thirty-
five (35) were 15 years old, and one hundred twelve (112) were 17 years old.
The common drugs used by young people were marijuana, ecstasy, and
inhalants. Drug experimenters, regular and occasional users, make up the
teenage drug population.
Commonly Abused Drugs
1. Shabu (Methamphetamine Hydrochloride).
Methamphetamine is the most popular abused
drug in the country today. In the 1990s, stimulant
abuse emerged in many ASEAN countries. This
major change in the pattern of substance abuse
can perhaps be considered the first stimulant epidemic in the region.
The Philippines is probably the first ASEAN country that faced severe
stimulant abuse. The abuse of methamphetamine was noted in 1986
among the affluent, entertainment, and artist population. The status of
methamphetamine or “shabu’ abuse at the time seemed well confined.
However, in 1987, the abuse spread to the general population.
Today, methamphetamine is available in varying degrees
throughout the country. Based on PDEA's 2015 arrest data,
methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu (90%) reportedly tops the
list of most abused illegal drugs, followed by marijuana and costly party
drugs like cocaine and ecstasy.
Of all the regions in the country, methamphetamine is more
widely available throughout Regions 1,2,3,4,7, CAR, ARMM, and the
NCR.
2. Ecstasy or Methylenedioxymethamphetamine- is fast making its
presence felt in the country. There is an
increase in reports about the use of
“ecstasy” among young people,
particularly in nightclubs. Ecstasy, or
MDMA, is a synthetic drug that acts
simultaneously as a stimulant and as a
hallucinogen. It is strongly linked to music
and dance culture and has a growing user
base among the elites (Class A&B). While some users confine their
consumption to occasional use at social, music, and dance events,
others develop regular use profiles, while the third group uses both
frequently and intensively.
Reports are stating that ecstasy is shipped directly from
Amsterdam and other countries in Europe. There are close to a
thousand varieties of ecstasy tablets and capsules and among them,
which are now available in Metro Manila, are Orange Hornets, Aligners,

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
Achtung, and Mitsubishi. Studies abroad reveal that the
damage caused by ecstasy to one’s health is irreversible.
3. Marijuana. Marijuana abounds in the
Philippines. But since the early nineties, it
has seized to be the drug of choice. Most
of what is produced locally are intended for
foreign markets. In East Asia, the Pacific,
Australia, Europe, and the US, the UNDCP
has identified the Philippines as a major
marijuana producer and exporter. It should
be noted that CAR is the biggest producer
of marijuana in the country from 1992 and remains as the main source
of marijuana as of March 2023.
Drug Trafficking
Methamphetamine hydrochloride continues to be smuggled into the
country through four major avenues: the seaports and special economic
zones, the international airports, the mail and parcel services, and the vast
expanse of the Philippines coastline.
The use of the seaports was exemplified by the seizure of Php. 4.347
million worth of shabu last July 3, 2023 at Port of Clark.
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 gleam from the seizure of 6.7 kilos or
P45.9 million worth of smuggled shabu by the Anti-Narcotics agents of NAIA
last August 2, 2023.
The mail and parcel system are preferred in foreign destinations that
have large Filipino communities like Guam, the US, Australia, England, and
the Middle East. A case in point was the shabu weighing about 500 grams
with a street value of P3.4 million placed in Chinese tea packaging is
presented by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency at its headquarters in
Quezon City on Sept. 12, 2019.
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 472.63 million worth of cocaine
bricks were found along the shores of Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte,
Camarines Norte, and Quezon on February 2019, 39 bricks with an estimated
value of more than $4m (£3m) were found by fishermen at the shoreline of
Mauban Quezon on May 2019, seizure of 1,585.25 kilograms or ₱11 billion
worth of illegal drugs at Infanta Quezon last March 2022.
Drug Rehabilitation
For 2022, a total of seventy (70) treatment and rehabilitation facilities
reporting to the Treatment and Rehabilitation Admission Information System

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
(TRAIS). Of this, sixty-two (62) are residential and eight (8) are
outpatient.

Three thousand, eight hundred sixty-five (3,865) admissions were recorded


from these reporting facilities. Of these number, three thousand, three
hundred forty-three (3,343) are new admissions, seventy-nine (79) are
readmitted or relapse cases and four hundred forty-three (443) are Outpatient.

Drug –Affected Barangay


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.

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
The discovery and dismantling of clandestine laboratories in
the country indicate a major shift in strategy to manufacture shabu in the
country as opposed to the traditional trafficking of shabu in its processed form.
Control of precursors and essential chemicals and the prevention of diversion
to illegal use is therefore more urgent than before.
Marijuana cultivation expanded despite the decline in preference of
Filipino drug abusers due to an 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.
Profile of Drug Abusers in the Philippines( General Public)

Age Mean age of 28 years old

Sex Male to female ratio 9:1

Civil Status Single 51.56%

Married 34.44%

Family Size Siblings 3-4

Employed 30.94%

Self-employed 12.4%

Unemployed 38.87%

Occupation Students 5%

OSY 0.09%

College Level 28.23%

Educational High School Level 29.41%


Attainment
High School Graduate 16.74%

Economic Status Average Monthly Income ₱15,064.00

Duration of Drug
More than 6 years
Taking

Nature of Drug
Poly Drug Use
Taking

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride
(Shabu)

Abused Drugs Cannabis (Marijuana)

Inhalants (Contact cement)

Place of Residence Urban, especially in NCR

Input No. 3: Myth versus Fact: Drug Abuse and Illicit


Trafficking
1. Why the Big Outcry? Drugs aren’t a Big Problem. The fact is…
They are a tremendous problem, the seriousness of which is becoming
more apparent every day.
2. “Recreational” Use of Drugs is not Harmful. The fact is… All illegal
drugs are dangerous and cause a physical and psychological changes
in the user. Prolonged drug use exacerbates these harmful effects that
can lead to addiction.
3. Marijuana is no Worse than using Alcohol or Tobacco. The fact is
… Marijuana is very dangerous. Unlike alcohol, which usually leaves
the body within 24 hours because it is water-soluble, marijuana is fat-
soluble, which meant that the psycho-active chemicals attach
themselves to the fatty parts of the body (usually the brain and
reproductive organ) and be detected up to 30 days after initial use.
4. Everybody is Taking Drug. The fact is… This common argument is
used by drug users to gain acceptability for their deviant behavior. No
matter how alarming drug use statistics may be, the majority of the
people in the world do not use illegal drugs.
5. Only Weak Individuals Become Addicts. The fact is… The reverse
is true: addicts become weak individuals. No one begins taking drugs
to become addicted. People take drugs for a variety of reasons,
including to escape from reality, to cope with daily life, or to be
accepted by others.
6. Drug abuse is a “Victimless” Crime – It only Hurts the User. The
fact is… While the health and social changes for a productive life are
jeopardized for the individual drug user, he or she is not the only one to
suffer. The family suffers disharmony and pain in witnessing the self-
destruction of a loved one.
7. If A Person Wants to Take Drugs, Governments should Interfere.
The fact is… The legitimate right of the individual must be consistent
with the safety and welfare of the general population. No individual has
an inalienable right to behave in a manner destructive to others.
8. All Drug Addicts Should Be Imprisoned. The fact is… Imprisonment
of a drug addict as such does not solve the problem. Drug users have
committed a crime, but detoxification, treatment, and rehabilitation of

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
the individual are essential if the addict is to learn how to live
without drugs.
9. The Cultivation of Drug Crops Gives a Poor Farmer a Chance to
Make Money. The fact is… The farmer is breaking the law and usually
knows it. The income received by the farmer for illicit narcotics
production, unfortunately, is higher than that received for traditional
food crops, often leading to increased illicit production to the exclusion
of food crops.
10. Peddling Drugs is One Way the Poor can Earn Money. The Fact
is... Most drug peddlers are addicts or become addicts. The money
they earn does not help them or their families; they are merely
supporting a drug habit. As their addiction deepens, new "clients" must
be found to bring in more money to buy more drugs.
11. Drug Use is a Way of Life in Some Countries. Why Change It? The
Fact is... It is not a way of life in any country. Statistics show that in
areas where drug use is common, economic development can be
seriously retarded. This is true in both developing and industrialized
countries.
Input No. 4: The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
Concretizes the government's intensive and unrelenting campaign
against the trafficking and use of dangerous drugs, and other similar
substances through an integrated system of planning, implementation, and
enforcement of anti-drug abuse policies, programs, and projects. R. A. 9165 is
an act instituting the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, repealing
Republic Act No. 6425, known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972.

Prohibited Acts and corresponding penalties

PROHIBITED ACTS PENALTIES

Maintenance of a Den, Dive Life Imprisonment to Death and a fine ranging from
or Resort five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000) to ten

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

million pesos (P10,000,000).

Employees and Visitors of a Imprisonment ranging from twelve (12) years and
Den, Dive, or Resort one (1) day to twenty (20) years and a fine ranging
from one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) to
five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000).

PROHIBITED ACTS PENALTIES

Manufacture of Dangerous Drugs and/or Life Imprisonment to death and a fine


Controlled Precursors and Essential ranging P500,000 to P10,000,000
Chemicals

Illegal Chemical Diversion of Controlled Imprisonment ranging from 12 years


Precursors and Essential Chemicals and 1 day to 20 years and a fine
ranging from P100,000 to P500,000

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon

PROHIBITED ACTS PENALTIES

Cultivation or Culture Life imprisonment to Death and a fine ranging from Five
of 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.
1. What are the common responsibilities of CHED and TESDA?
RA 9165, Article IV mandates the following functions:
a. Provide continuing in-service training of teachers on the effective
utilization of the support instructional materials and teaching
strategies on drug education
b. Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and overall
impact of drug
education programs
c. Secure funds from local and foreign donors for the implementation
of the drug education program
2. What are the other functions of CHED and TESDA regarding drug
abuse prevention?
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is responsible for:
Enriching and updating the integration of dangerous drug prevention
concepts in the general education of all higher education course offerings and

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
the professional subjects, especially in health-related and science
teacher education courses
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 into 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 into 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 are
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 for medical and therapeutic
use; and
g. Differentiation between medical patients and drug dependents 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 continues 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 to hit. They are the greatest
number of drug users. Among them are more than 350,000 identified high

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
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:
1. lessen violent behavior;
2. increase pro-social behavior and decrease negative, self-destructive
behavior;
3. increase the ability to plan and choose effective solutions to problems;
4. improve self-image and self-awareness;
5. improve social and emotional adjustment;
6. improve the 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.
Legislation for Illicit Drugs Control

1. 1972. The Dangerous Drugs Act was established.


2. 2002. The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act was implemented.
3. 2002. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was
established.
4. 2002. An Integrated Drug Abuse Data Information Network (1IDADIN)
was created to monitor drug use/abuse.

Government Response to the Problem


1. Preventive education programs to dissuade users or potential users
from experimenting with illegal drugs and/or continuing to use them
2. Treatment and rehabilitation programs aimed at facilitating abstinence
3. Intensified campaigns against illegal drugs and trafficking
4. Judicial and legislative measures
5. National, regional and international cooperation to fight illegal drug
trafficking and abuse of dangerous drugs
6. Some Philippine political figures are talking about drug testing
employees of outsourced call center workers, others are calling for
testing university students, and the government is currently considering
drug testing all government employees.
7. Drug Information and Action Line (DLAL) was created to receive
reports and complaints related to drug abuse and provide assistance to

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HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY SCIENCE AND TACTICS
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT (ACTIVATED)
Lucban, Quezon
the public on
drug- S - Steadfast personality related cases.
T - Trustworthy in words and deeds
Ten (10) R - Respectable in relating with others Ways to Say "No"
to Drugs O - Open-minded in facing situations
1. Be N - Noble character vocal, just say "NO"
and G - Gutsy action and ideas mean it!
2. Project an image of
clean living for yourself.
3. Get into sports.
4. Choose your friends and influence them positively.
5. Get involved in community-based projects.
6. Join organizations (church, school, community, or social) or youth
clubs or form your drama group.
7. Learn how to manage stress.
8. Join seminars on anti-drug abuse prevention.
9. Talk to your family, listen to the problems of your brothers and sisters.
10. Enhance your talents or skills by taking part in workshops, training, or
seminars.

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:
As good citizens…Let us be keepers of life and create a safe environment
through our respective positions. Let us join hands in keeping our society a
drug-free Philippines.

References:
1. PD 1619 "Volatile Solvents"
2. RA 9165 Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
3. Espiritu RI etal. (2012). National Service Training Program with Specific
Modules
4. Labuguen, F.et al.. Understanding the National Service Training Program
5. Dela Cuz, S. et al (2019) National Development via National Service
Training Program (RA 9163) Common Modules

16 | SLSU NSTP ROTC

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