DRUG AND SUBSTANCE
ABUSE PREVENTION AND
CONTROL
“Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes
fundamental ills of society. If we’re looking for the
source of our troubles, we shouldn’t test people for
drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance,
greed and love of power.”
- P. J. O’ Rourke
Overview of the lesson:
• Drug education program for the youth as a significant
undertaking in order to free them from danger and
keep them away from drugs. The youth of today
comprise the most vulnerable group that can be
affected by prohibited drugs that are commonly
abused. According to General Edgar C. Galvante,
Former Executive Director, Dangerous Drugs Board,
most drug users start their habit early, usually teenage
years.
Why do some people take drugs?
• Experimenting
- It is not uncommon for addiction to stem from a person
being curious and experimenting with drugs or alcohol. It
is a scenario that often starts with a young person using
alcohol or marijuana out of curiosity. While it seems
harmless, adolescents that experiment with drugs and
alcohol
are more likely to develop substance use disorder
according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• FAMILY HISTORY/GENETICS
- If you have a family history of drug addiction, you
may have a genetic predisposition to develop an
addiction to drugs or alcohol. It is stated that
about 30% – 70% of a person’s risk for addiction is
linked to the genes they are born with along with
other social factors
• PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
- There is a popular misconception that any medication
prescribed by a doctor is safe. Unfortunately, that is not
always the case. Doctors prescribe medications to
alleviate symptoms of physical or mental health issues.
However, many individuals are not properly educated
on the risks that the medications may carry. Chronic
pain is often managed through opioid medications,
which are highly addictive. Dependent upon the
amount used and other factors, someone may require
a medical detox just to stop using opioids.
• PEER PRESSURE
- usually applies to adolescents or young adults. The
need to fit in, on some level, is built into each and
every one of us. Some people may feel the need to
participate in potentially harmful activities to do so.
The pressure of being around others who are abusing
drugs or alcohol can push someone follow suit.
• MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
- Depression, anxiety, and PTSD can put individuals at higher
risk of developing addiction. Using substances to cope with
difficult feelings may seem like an easier path for some.
Though they may seem crippling at times, there is help
available to anyone struggling with a mental health
disorder. Non-narcotic medications are often available for
most mental health disorders. It’s worth researching with a
doctor to see if there is an alternative to addictive
medications.
• RECREATION
- Many people use drugs or alcohol socially with
friends or to “unwind” after a long day. They often
see substances as a way to relax or clear their
minds. Recreational drug users are still at risk to
become addicted if their use becomes more
frequent or they use highly addictive substances.
Based on the song “Anak” Write at least five positive
and negative traits as observed in its lyrics that relate to
the young generation of today.
Positive Negative How to Correct n
negative traits
Write a prayer that will manifest your intention to
improve the negative traits that you have identified.
What is a drug?
• A drug is a chemical substance that brings about physical,
emotional or behavioral change in a person taking it.
• These could be taken by:
Ingestion
Inhalation
Injection
Used as suppository
Applied topically
When are drugs harmful?
• Any drugs may be harmful when taken in
excess. Some drugs can also be harmful if
taken in dangerous combinations or by
hypersensitive (allergic) person in ordinary
or even in small amounts.
DRUG ABUSE:
• Use of chemical substance, licit or illicit, which results in
an individual’s physical, mental or social impairment. It
may also refer in the following practices:
Using without benefit or prescription which alters the
mood,
Using drugs and substances for a purpose different
from the one which is prescribed; and
Using drugs having no legitimate medical application
for purposes other than research.
Other products other than drugs ever abused
•Glue
•Paint thinners
•Gasoline
•Volatile and breathable solvents
TYPES OF DRUGS:
• Stimulants – drugs which increase alertness and physical
disposition.(example: amphetamine, cocaine, caffeine, nicotine)
• Hallucinogens – drugs which affect sensation, thinking, self-
awareness and emotion (ex: LSD, Mescaline and marijuana)
• Sedatives – drugs which may reduce anxiety and excitement
(ex: barbiturates, tranquilizers, alcohol)
• Narcotics – drugs that relieve pain and often induce sleep ( ex:
opium and its derivatives like morphine, heroin and codeine)
What is a drug abuser?
• Anyone can be a drug abuser. Drug abuse is
no respecter of 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?
• Often associated with known drug abusers;
• Irritable, discourteous, defiant and aggressive;
• Untrustworthy and lacks self-confidence;
• Unhealthy and unconcerned with good grooming;
• Has low frustration tolerance;
• Lacks interest in his studies/ work;
• Blames everybody but not himself for his problems;
• Develops changes in normal capabilities in school/work;and
• Borrows money and at times steals various item unusually.
COMMON SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE
• Injection marks of an addict
• Unusual effort made to cover arms in order to hide needle marks
• Stealing items which can be readily sold for cash to support a drug
habit
• Changes in mood- depending on the drug taken
• Association with known drug abusers
• Change from normal capabilities
• Change in attendance at work or school
• Wearing sunglasses constantly at inappropriate times
• Poor physical appearance including inattention to dress and personal
hygiene
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.
• In fact, today’s most profitable underground business which
has spawned, yet considered as 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 safe from money-laundering activities.”
COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS
•Shabu (Methamphetamine Hydrocloride)
•Ecstacy or
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
•Marijuana
SHABU
• 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 as the first stimulant epidemic of the
region. The Philippines is probably the first ASEAN
country that faced severe stimulant abuse.
ECSTACY
• Is fast making its presence felt in the country.
There is an increase in reports about the use of
this among young people, particularly in
nightclubs. It 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 based
among the elites.
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 and is intended for foreign
markets. The CAR is the biggest producer of cannabis
or marijuana in the country as evidenced by the
number of plants and seeds confiscated within 1992
to 2001.
COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS
ACT OF 2002
• Concretizes 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”.
The Youth and Government’s Response to the
Drug Problem
• Lessen violent behavior;
• Increase pro-social behavior and decrease negative, self-destructive
behavior;
• Increase the ability to plan ahead and choose effective solutions to
problems;
• Improve self-image and self- awareness;
• Improve social and emotional adjustment;
• Improve handling of interpersonal problems and coping with anxiety;
• Improve constructive conflict resolution with peers; and
• Improve self-control
• HOW would you keep yourself away from drug
abuses?
• WHAT advices could you give to those drug
abusers?
DEBATE TIME!!
•Do you think legalizing the
use of marijuana in the
Philippines useful or not?
