MODULE 4

Drug Education

Intended Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this topic/chapter, you must be able to:
1. Define the Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of
2002.
2. Explore the nature and effects of drugs abuse and substances such as alcohol,
tobacco and other personal health and social relationship.
3. Synthesize right formation on the health, legal and social consequences of the
drug and substances abuse and examine how this negatively impacts the person
uses the drug, and his or her family, friends, and community; and
4. Value one’s contribution in preventing and controlling drugs and substances.

Module Code NSTP Common Module

Module Name Module 4 DRUG EDUCATION
Semester Taught First Semester
Module Coordinator Winnie T. Reyno

Course Outcomes CO3. Identify the various social problems and

express responsibilities as individuals towards
mankind and the environment.

Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, or Republic Act No. 9165, is a

consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1858 and House Bill N0. 4433. It was enacted and passed
by the Senate of the President and the House of Representative of the Philippines on
May 30, 2003, and May 29, 2002, respectively. It was signed into law by President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo on June 7, 2002.

This Act repealed Republic Act No. 6425, otherwise known as the dangerous Act
of 1972, as amended, and providing funds for its implementation. Under this Act, the
Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB remain as the policymaking and strategy formulating body
in planning of policies and program on drug prevention and control.

It is the policy of the State to safeguard the integrity of its territory and the well-
being of its citizenry particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs
on their physical and mental well-being and to defend the same against acts of omissions
detrimental to their development and preservation.

Nature of Drug and Drug Abuse

What is Drug?
A drug is any chemical you take that affects the way your body works. Alcohol,
caffeine, aspirin, and nicotine are all drugs. A drug must be able to pass from your body
into your brain. Once inside your brain, drugs can change the messages your brain cells
are sending to each other, and to the rest of your body. They do this by interfering with
your brain’s own chemical signals: neurotransmitters that transfer signals across
synapses.
Drug- a substance used as medicine. It may be an illegal and often harmful
substance such as heroin, cocaine, or marijuana that people take for pleasure.
 Drugs became harmful when taken in excess, it is called DRUG ABUSE.
 Drug abuse results in an individual’s physical, mental, and social impairment.

What is drug abuse?

A person that abuses drugs undergoes lot of changes. Sudden changes occur in
the person’s disposition from pleasant to unpleasant.
Here are some changes in behavior.
 Is often associated with known drug abusers.
 Is irritable, discourteous, defiant and aggressive.
 Is untrustworthy and lacks self-confidence.
 Is unhealthy and unconcerned with good grooming.
 Has a low frustration tolerance.
A drug is any chemical you take that affects the way your body works, Alcohol,
caffeine, aspirin, and nicotine are all drugs. A drug must be able to pass from your body
into your brain, once inside your brain drugs can change the messages your brain cells
are sending to each other and to the rest of your body. They do this by interfering with
your brain’s own chemicals signal: neurotransmitter that transmitter that transfer signals
across synopses to nature of drug abuse. Drug is the chemical substance that brings
physical, physiological, behavioral, and psychological change in a person taking it.
‘’Health is wealth’’. this saying is very important to an individual because once your
health will be destroyed your future will become miserable so don’t ruin your life with drug
abuse. Series of program were established to combat drug problems in our country such
as “Barkada Kontra Druga” which is designed as a preventive education and information
strategy to counter the dangers and disastrous effects of drug abuse.
 Under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, drug prevention and
control has become a top priority of the government. The anti- drug campaign has been
enhanced and strengthened through the collaboration of national government agencies
as well as the support of non- government organizations, faith-based groups and the
private sector.
Several policies have been instituted under this administration including the
establishment of community -based treatment and rehabilitation programs and services
by local government units and the institutionalization of Drug-Free Workplace Policies in
all government offices, including the conduct of authorized drug testing for elective local
officials and appointive public officers.
This regulation aims to promote the establishment and institutionalization of drug-
free workplace policies in all government agencies and ensure that all public officers, both
elective and appointive, remain drug-free through the conduct of authorized drug testing
pursuant to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 or Republic Act 9165. With
this, the public will be ensured of effective and efficient service from the government
workers who are free from the influence and ill effects of illegal drugs.
Drugs in this administration, the national plan of action against drug was revisited
and a new framework of action was established. Known as the Philippine Anti-Illegal
Drugs Strategy or PADS which has been institutionalized by virtue of Executive Order
Number 66, signed by President Duterte on 29 October 2018, the plan of action sets our
goals in creating drug- free communities by 2022.

The Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy Executive Order No. 66, Series of 2018.
FRAMEWORK OF ACTION
The Philippine Anti- Illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS) is a cohesive, comprehensive,
and balanced strategy aligned with international and regional frameworks on drug
prevention and control. Cognizant of the multi-dimensionality of the drug problem, the
PADS is also anchored on strategies on national security, public order, and socio-
economic development.
The PADS framework is a bow and arrow representing the two components of the
anti-drug strategy: drug supply and demand reduction aimed at a target board
representing the national goal of 100% drug-free communities by 2022.

THE PHILIPPINE ANTI-ILLEGAL DRUG STRATEGY

Executive Order Number 66, Series of 2018, signed by President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte on 29 October 2018, institutionalized the implementations of the PADS.
It directs all government offices, departments, bureaus, agencies including Government
Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) and State Universities and Colleges
(SUCs) to implement PADS in accordance with the respective agency mandates.
 Drug Addiction is a condition characterized by an overwhelming desire to continue
taking drug to which one has become habituated through repeated consumption because
it produces a particular effect, usually an alteration of mental status. Addiction is usually
accompanied by a compulsion to obtain the drug, a tendency to increase the dose, a
psychological or physical dependence and detrimental consequences for the individual
and society (The Free Dictionary by Farlex).

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use

There are many signs, both physical and behavioral, that indicate drug use. Each
drug has its own unique manifestation but are some general indications that a person is
using drugs.
1. Sudden change in behavior
2. Mood swing: irritable and grumpy and suddenly happy and bright
3. Withdrawal from the family members
4. Careless about personal grooming
5. Loss of interest in hobbies, sports, and any other favorite activities
6. Changed sleeping pattern up at night and sleeping during the day
7. Red or glassy eyes
8. Sniffly or runny nose

Effects of Drug Abuse

1. Physical dependence (or physiological dependence). A growing tolerance of
a drug’s effects so that increased intake of the drug is needed to prevent
withdrawal symptoms.
2. Psychological dependence. A controversial term that generally means a craving
for or compulsive need to use drugs, because they provide the user with a feeling
of well-being and satisfaction. However, attempts to equate physical dependence
or addiction with psychological dependence are highly questionable because
psychological dependence may be developed for any activity, from listening to
rock music to enjoying sex.
3. Tolerance. A situation in which the user continues regular use of a drug and must
administer progressively larger does to attain the desired effect, thereby
reinforcing the compulsive behavior known as drug dependence.
4. Withdrawal. The physical reaction of bodily functions that, when a body is
deprived of an addictive drug, causes increased excitability of the bodily functions
that have been depressed by the drug’s habitual use. We should note that
psychological dependence is subjective and difficult to define but is characterized
by a person’s compulsive need to use drugs. Furthermore, the extent to which
 drugs produce physical dependence will vary. Heroin, for instance, has an
extremely high potential for physical dependence. In comparison, cocaine is not
addictive in the same way as heroin, but its potential for psychological
dependence is high in some people particularly those with obsessive personality
traits-especially when the cocaine used in the form of crack, because of the
intense initial dose in the vapor. This variation in the potential for physical
dependence is one reason for the scheduling of drug s under federal and state
laws.

A. COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS

 Commonly used illegal drugs include marijuana, heroin, cocaine,

amphetamines and methamphetamines and club drugs. This list provides
examples of their commercial and street names, how they are administered, their
effects, health risks and other information.

 Marijuana- also called weed, herb, pot, grass, bud,

ganja, Mary Jane, and a vast number of other slang
terms—is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried flowers
of Cannabis sativa. Some people smoke marijuana in
hand-rolled cigarettes called joints; in pipes, water
pipes (sometimes called bongs), or in blunts (marijuana
rolled in cigar wraps). Marijuana can also be used to brew tea and, particularly
when it is sold or consumed for medicinal purposes, is frequently mixed into foods
(edibles) such as brownies, cookies, or candies. Vaporizers are also increasingly
used to consume marijuana. Stronger forms of marijuana include sinsemilla (from
specially tended female plants) and concentrated resins containing high doses of
marijuana’s active ingredients, including honeylike hash oil, waxy budder, and hard
amberlike shatter. These resins are increasingly popular among those who use
them both recreationally and medically.

 Heroin- is an opioid drug made from morphine, a

natural substance taken from the seed pod of the
various opium poppy plants grown in Southeast and
Southwest Asia, Mexico, and Colombia. Heroin can
be a white or brown powder, or a black sticky
substance known as black tar heroin. Other
common names for heroin include big H, horse, hell
dust, and smack.
 Cocaine- is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug
made from the leaves of the coca plant native to
South America. Although health care providers can
use it for valid medical purposes, such as local
anesthesia for some surgeries, recreational cocaine
use is illegal. As a street drug, cocaine looks like a
fine, white, crystal powder. Street dealers often mix it with things like cornstarch,
talcum powder, or flour to increase profits. They may also mix it with other drugs
such as the stimulant amphetamine, or synthetic opioids, including fentanyl.

 Amphetamines- are stimulant drugs, which

means they speed up the messages travelling
between the brain and the body. Some types of
amphetamines are legally prescribed by doctors
to treat conditions such as attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (where a person has an
uncontrollable urge to sleep). Amphetamines have also been used to treat
Parkinson’s disease. Other types of amphetamines such as speed are produced
and sold illegally. The more potent form is crystal methamphetamine (ice).

 Methamphetamines- are a powerful, highly addictive

stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Crystal
methamphetamine is a form of the drug that looks like glass
fragments or shiny, bluish-white rocks. It is chemically
similar to amphetamine, a drug used to treat attention-
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, a
sleep disorder.

 Club drugs- tend to be used by teenagers and young adults

at bars, nightclubs, concerts, and parties. Club drugs
include GHB, Rohypnol®, ket amine, MDMA (Ecstasy),
methamphetamine, and LSD (acid).

B. DRUG TRAFFICKING
 Drug trafficking, also known as drug
distribution, is the crime of selling,
transporting, or illegally importing
unlawful controlled substances, such as
heroin, cocaine, marijuana, or other illegal
drugs. Drug trafficking also applies to the
illegal selling or transportation of prescription
drugs, which has become an increasing
problem in recent years. According to the
Department of Justice, the sale and
manufacture of drugs accounts for almost
one-fifth of all drug-related arrests.

Penalties for Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is a very serious crime and is

punished more harshly than drug possession. It is
criminalized under both federal and state laws, and it is
often prosecuted as a federal crime when a defendant
moves drugs across state lines. Drug trafficking charges
can be applied to small-scale street dealers or large drug
cartels, and punishments will typically vary depending on
the scale of the defendant’s operation and the type of
drugs being trafficked. Thus, for instance, a defendant may face anywhere from 3-10
years of imprisonment and fines of over $100,000 for marijuana trafficking, but he or she
may face up to 25 years in prison and fines of half a million dollars if convicted of trafficking
in heroin. These sentences may be even higher if certain factors, called “enhancements,”
are present. One example of an enhancement is selling drugs in a school zone.
A conviction for drug trafficking also makes criminal susceptible to additional
punishments, particularly in the context of an international operation. This can include the
forfeiture of all assets related to the drug trafficking business, such as bank accounts,
cars, or properties used in the crime. Seizure of assets is often required if the defendant
is sentenced to more than one year in jail. Additionally, since drug trafficking is a felony,
it may also make defendants susceptible to immigration consequences, including
possible deportation after a prison sentence is served.
Why Do People Get High?
Whether it is caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or another drug, abuse is an
everyday part of our lives. So, several essential questions about drug abuse can
be asked. For example, why do people willingly engage in behavior that might be
dangerous, illegal, or unhealthy? Furthermore, many drugs fail to have obvious
effects on the user, which makes us wonder why they are popular in the first place.
For example, cigarette smokers generally do not appear to be in a state of
euphoria when they smoke. The same is true for people who appear to be in a
state of euphoria when they smoke. Drink caffeine-based soft drinks. But what
about harder drugs like heroin?
We think we know why a heroin user uses the drug: for its euphoric
effect. However, the initial effects of many of today’s popular drugs, like heroin,
are in fact downright unpleasant. Stated differently, if 100 people were selected
from the population and administered heroin, many would probably get sick and
never want to see the drug again. So, what’s the point of taking the drug in the
first place? The same could be said for alcohol or cocaine. One’s first drink of
whiskey of first experience with crack cocaine is not always pleasant. Given this
premises, perhaps it is true that the more pleasant a drug’s effects are on users
the more attractive that drug is to them. However, if this is so, then why do people
smoke without any noticeable effect from nicotine? As you see, we have now
come full circle in our quandary.
Although numerous explanations have been offered on the subject,
another glaring question remains unanswered: is drug abuse representative of a
universal human need? Some would argue that this is precisely the case, and that
one of today’s great challenges is for society to develop a drug that is completely
safe for recreational consumption. Although this is a controversial premise, it
inspires thought. Some people are lifelong abstainers, whereas others use drugs
on a regular basis. Whether it is our daily fortification of coffee, tea, or cigarettes,
or a reliance on prescription painkillers or anti dotes for minor ailments, some form
of drug use is an everyday part of living for most Americans.
Explanations for drug abuse are in constant debate. For example,
some experts claim that there is a genetic basis for dependence and addiction,
but others argue that it stems from learned behavior. However, if a genetic
propensity for drug abuse does exist, what effects of this drug result in excessive
drinking. Therefore, the insensitivity of some drinkers causes them to feel only
slightly drunk when they are very intoxicated. As a result, they tend to drink more
than others do. Some have suggested that this hypothesis extends to drug use in
general.
 Current Philippine Situation on Drug Addiction
According to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) (the government
agency mandated to formulate policies on illegal drugs in the Philippines), there
are 1.8 million current drug users in the Philippines, and 4.8 million Filipinos report
having used illegal drugs at least once in their lives. According to Gavilan
J. Duterte’s War on Drugs more than three-quarters of drug users are adults
(91%), males (87%), and have reached high school (80%). More than two-thirds
(67%) are employed. The most used drug in the Philippines is a variant of
methamphetamine called shabu or “poor man’s cocaine.” According to a 2012
United Nations report, the Philippines had the highest rate of methamphetamine
abuse among countries in East Asia; about 2.2% of Filipinos between the ages
16–64 years were methamphetamines users.

THE ROLE OF THE YOUTH ON DRUG DETECTION AND PREVENTION

The Youth and Government’s Respond to the Problem

Survey by University of the Philippines showed that the initial age of
the 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.

Tips for the Prevention of Drugs use among the Youth:

1. Don’t be afraid to say No.
2. Connect with your friends and avoid negative peer pressure.
3. Make connections with your parents or other adults.
4. Enjoy life and do what you love- don’t add alcohol and drugs.
5. Follow the family rules about alcohol and drugs.
6. Get educated about alcohol and drugs.
7. Be a role model and set a positive example.
8. Plan ahead.
9. Speak out/speak up/ take control.
10. Get help.

The Value of Youth Participation to Eradicate

1. Morals and character are developed.
2. Youth listens to youth.
3. Sharing with others becomes a foundation for a good adult life.
4. A direct reflection of what young people want and need help.

Government Respond to the Problem

1. Preventive education programs
2. Treatment and rehabilitation programs
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. Drug testing
7. Drug information and Action Line (DIAL)
Ways to say “No” to Drugs
1. Be vocal, just say “No” and 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 an organization (church, school, community or social) or youth clubs or
form your own 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.

Campaigns and Advocacies against Drug Addiction

1. Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD, Peer Group, Against Drugs)

2. National Youth congress on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control
3. Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program
4. Kids Against Drugs Program
5. National Drug Education Program (NDEP)
6. Drug Abuse Prevention Program for the Transport Groups
7. Nationwide Caravan of Youth Against Drug
 LEARNING EXERCISE 4
DRUG EDUCATION

NAME: _____________________________________ SCORE: ________

YR/COURSE/SEC: _______TEACHER: ___________DATE: __________

ATIVITY: Compose a SLOGAN based on our Module IV. It should be 5 to 20 words

only. Be creative and be authentic!