DRUG ABUSE

AND
PREVENTION
 A drug is a chemical substance that affects
the function of living cells and alters, body , or
mind processes when taken into the body or
applied through the skin. Drug Abuse is the
overuse or consumption of drugs other than for
medical reasons. It is characterized by taking
more than the recommended dose of prescription
drugs using government regulated substances or
other illegal drugs. Drug dependence is
characterized by a compulsion to use a drug to
experience psychological or physical effects
despite any deterioration in health, work, or
social activities.
Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse
1. Sudden shift in attitudes. A person who was once sober and polite
suddenly becomes rude and irrational.
2. Mood swings. Depressed first then becoming highly elated.
3. Highly excitable and displays fits of rage and aggression.
4. Unusual effort to conceal needle marks on arms; wears dark spectacles to
hide constricted or dilated pupils and blood-shot eyes from public view even
indoors and during night-time
5. Sudden regression from the usual and normal capabilities such as from
school, work, and social habits.
6. Neglect of personal grooming, hygiene, and appearance
7. Engaging in petty crimes and other forms of mischief to support the illegal
habits
8. Association with known drug abusers and people with shady character
Classification of Commonly Abused Drugs

1. Depressants – known as ̏downers̋ , drugs which act on and depress the

central nervous system causing initial relaxation leading to drowsiness and
sleep.
a. Alcohol - specifically ethyl alcohol which is the main ingredient of
all alcoholic beverages. Certain brands of liquor such as gin, whiskey, brandy,
pilsen, and rhum are the most preferred by alcoholics or problem drinkers to
achieve the desired effect.
b. Sedative-Hypnotics – include barbiturates and benzodiazepines
most commonly refer to as minor tranquilizers. These drugs are used medically
in the treatment of epilepsy, insomnia, and anxiety.
2. Narcotics – known as ̏opiates ̋ include drugs derived from opium and its
derivatives. These drugs are used medically to relieve pain, suppress cough,
reduce movement of the intestine and psychological indifference.
 a. Opium – coagulated juice of opium poppy formerly used as a pain
reliever but has been replaced by morphine and codeine.
b. Phenanthrene Alkaloids – used as an analgesic and cough
suppressants.
c. Morphine – principal alkaloid of opium exists in a white crystalline
base and sold as tablets and injectable solution.
d. Codeine – alkaloid extracted from morphine and used as mild
analgesic.
e. Heroine – white crystalline narcotic synthesized from morphine
and used as cough suppressant
3. Stimulants – drugs used to induce alertness, elevate mood, increase speech,
mental and motor activity, relieve fatigue or boredom, and decrease appetite.
a. Amphetamine – colorless liquid with acrid taste and faint odor
which is greatly stimulates the central nervous system.
b. Methamphetamine hydrochloride – known as ̏shabu ̋ is a white
odorless crystalline powder with bitter taste, considered as the most
abused stimulant in the Philippines. Abusers administer it through the
body by ingestion, inhalation, sniffing, or by injection.
c. Ecstasy – a synthetic amphetamine related substance, white, yellow,
or brown in color with bitter taste and comes in form of tablets,
capsules, or powders in various designs and shapes.
d. Cocaine – known as ̏coke ̋, alkaloids obtain from the leaves of the
coca plant, generally used as local anesthetic in minor surgery, one of
the shortest and strongest stimulants.
e. Caffeine – active ingredient of coffee, tea, cola beverages, used to
constrict blood vessel and as remedy for headaches, diuretic, and
treatment of severe asthma.
f. Nicotine – poisonous alkaloid which is an active ingredient in
cigarette and tobacco. It is colorless when extracted from tobacco
leaves but quickly turns brown when exposed to air. It has an acrid
burning taste.
4. Hallucinogens – known as ̏psychedelics ̋, a group of natural or synthetic
psycho active drugs that produce reactions such as perceptual alterations and
changes in the state of consciousness. They produce hallucinations or visions in
the form of shape and color shifts in appearance of the outside world which
progresses to the replacement of external reality with imaginary beings and
landscapes in extreme cases.
a. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) – a crystalline substance
derived from fungus which infects wheat or rye. Best known and most potent
hallucinogen taken orally in the form of tablets, gelatin, or impregnated paper.
b. Mescaline – known as ̏STP ̋, a drug derived from dried tops of
peyote cactus.
c. Psilocybin – a hallucinogenic compound in mushroom ingested to
achieve its effect similar to LSD and STP.
d. Phencyclidine (PCP) – considered as menace and highly dangerous
drugs because it can easily be synthesized with no medical purpose for human
 but used by veterinarians as anesthetic and sedative for animals.
e. Marijuana – known as cannabis which is a mild hallucinogenic drug
derived from crushed leaves, flowering tops and stems of hemp
plant ̏cannabis sativa ̋.
5. Inhalants – substances that are not usually considered drugs but have great
potential for abuse. They are inhaled, or sniffed for their psychoactive
(mind/mood altering) effects and to produce a state of intoxication.

Common Causes of Drug Abuse

1. Unhappy home, parent showing no interest to their children.
2. Lack of parental values and guidance.
3. Domestic violence whether verbal or physical.
4. Parents who make free use of alcohol and illegal drugs.
5. Peer pressure/encouragement.
6. Curiosity or desire to experience.
7. Escape from physical and mental pain; relief from boredom and frustration.
𝟾. Desire to escape from harsh realities.
9. Weak personality, low sense of self-esteem and self-worth.
10. Feeling of insecurity

Drug Abuse Preventive Measures

1. Exhaust all channels of communication; talk to persons you trust; feel free to
open up and share your emotions and concerns.
2. Learn to cope with negative feelings by using sport, music, meditation, and
prayer as forms of relaxation.
3. Expand your horizons by finding new interests, meeting new people, visiting
new places, and putting yourself into new experiences.
4. give yourself the chance to be all you can be by discovering and improving
your special talents, acquiring new skills, and developing your own personality.
5. Improve family relations; strive to create happy, healthy, and content family
life. Parents should lead good example; advise their children, and instruct the
basic knowledge of using drugs.
6. Devise a drug awareness program to educate students on the dangers of drug
abuse in the school.
7. Community officials should organize and conduct information dissemination
campaign against drug abuse. Organize a recreational and social project which
serves as positive alternative to drug abuse.
𝟾. Cooperate with authorities in the arrest of known drug pushers and in the
dismantling of drug base network existing in the community.
9. Help in the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.
10. Implement a direct, sincere, quick action and hands-on approach on the part
of the government to address the growing menace of drug abuse.
PENALTIES AGAINTS DRUG ABUSE

The Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines passed

Republic Act No. 9165, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Acts of
2002, on May 29, 2002 and May 30, 2002, respectively. This Act repeals R.A
6425 and provides for the imposition of more severe penalties and the creation
of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to carry out the provisions of
this Act (Article IX, Section 𝟾2). Under Article II, the following constitutes
several ̏Unlawful Acts ̋ and their corresponding penalties summarized as
follows:

UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY PENALTY

Importation of Dangerous Drugs Life imprisonment to death, Fine ranging

and/or Controlled Precursor and
essential Chemicals
Sale,Trading, Administration,
Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution,
and Transportation of Dangerous
Drugs
from Five Hundred thousand (500,000.00) to
ten million pesos (10,000,000.00)
Life imprisonment to death, Fine ranging
from Five Hundred thousand (500,000.00) to
ten million pesos (10,000,000.00)

Maintenance of Den, Dive or Resort
Employees and Visitors of Den, Dive or
Resort
Manufacture of Dangerous Drugs and/or
Controlled Precursor and essential
chemicals
Manufacture or Delivery of Equipment,
Instruments, Apparatus and other
Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs
Life imprisonment to death, Fine
ranging from Five Hundred thousand
(500,000.00) to ten million pesos
(10,000,000.00)
Imprisonment ranging from twelve (12)
years and one (1)day to twenty (20)
years and fine ranging from One
Hundred thousand pesos (100,000.00)
to five hundred thousand (500,000.00)
pesos
Life Imprisonment to death, Fine
ranging from Five Hundred thousand
(500,000.00) to Ten Million pesos
(10,000.000.00)
Imprisonment ranging from twelve (12)
years and one (1)day to twenty (20)
years and fine ranging from One
Hundred thousand pesos (100,000.00)
to five hundred thousand (500,000.00)
pesos

Possession of Dangerous Drugs
Instrument,Apparatus, and other
Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs
Possession of Dangerous Drugs during
parties, social gathering or meetings
Possession of Equipment, Instrument,
Apparatus and other Paraphernalia
during parties, social gatherings or
meetings
Use of Dangerous Drugs
Life Imprisonment to death, Fine
ranging from 500,000.00 to
10,000.000.00 pesos
1 day to 4 years and fine of 10,000.00 to
50,000.00 pesos
Life imprisonment to death, Fine ranging
from 500,000.00 to 10,000,000.00 pesos
Imprisonment ranging from 6 months
and 1 day to 4 years and fine of
10,000.00 to 50,000.00 pesos
For first time, 6 months rehabilitation in
government center
Second time, Imprisonment from 6 years
and 1 day to 12 years and fine from
50,00.00 pesos to 200,00.00 pesos
Cultivation or culture of plants Life imprisonment to death, Fine ranging
classified as dangerous drugs or are from 500,000.00 to 10,000,000.00 pesos
sources thereof

Maintenance and keeping of Original Imprisonment ranging from 1 year and 1

records of transactions on dangerous day to 6 years and fine ranging from
drugs 10,000.00 to 50,000.00

Unnecessary prescription of Dangerous Imprisonment to 12 years and 1 day to

Drugs 20 years and fine ranging from
100,000.00 to 500,00.00 pesos

Unlawful Prescription of Dangerous Life imprisonment to death, Fine ranging

Drugs from 500,000.00 to 10,000,000.00 pesos
THANK YOU!