MODULAR UNIT 3

Drug and Substance

Abuse Prevention
And Control
Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society.
If we’re looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn’t test people for drugs, we shouldn’t
test them for stupidly, ignorance, greed and love of power

-P.J O’Rourke

Overview
Drug education program for the youth is a significant undertaking in order to fre them 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 during their teenage
years. They are particularly susceptible to the drug experience because adolescence is the period of
experimentation, exploration, curiosity, and search for identity. It is believe that young people with
problematic backgrounds are more vulnerable and are more likely to continue abusing drugs, once they
have started, and ti=o develop other aggravating problems, if not processed. These young people in
difficult circumstances are associated with poverty, family disintegration, relocation, discrimination, and
lack of suitable alternative activities.
Drug abuse prevention, done through problem awareness, education and strategy implementation, is
very vital to the success in controlling and stopping drug abuse. Positive behavior, including the
constructive handling of feelings and responsibilities, should be installed and encouraged in our own
families during the early life of young family members and carried on up to the later stage of life. These
should be nurtured by a caring and understanding community.
It has been known that the foremost reason why our youth is dragged into the abyss of drug abuse is the
lack of guidance from the family itself. There are aspects of this reason. First, maybe the persons 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, theus, in most cases in the Philippines, drives away the kid from
home.
The most predominant reason. Adolescence is the period where wants exceed necessities. A teenager
spends more time with friends or peers rather than at home. It is the stage where a youngsters has
continuing searching of identity and place in the society. The influence of the peers, either friends or
activity partners, has been proven as a strong force of initiation into drug addiction among the youth.
The drug addict is generally an emotionally unstable individual before he or she acquires the habit. The
person cannot face painful situations without help. He has little or no self-control. He or she hates
physical, mental or moral sufferings . every individual cannot stand alone, as we say it.
A person will try to use drugs if a friend insists, for the sake of friendship. This weakness is a predator
and hard to dismantle for most teenagers.
Truly drug abuse is a predator, a monster that preys on innocent, curious mind like those of the
teenagers. Hence, this module zeroes in on uncovering problem of drug abuse among the youngsters
and on finding ways and means by which this societal menace could be lessened, if not totally
annihilated.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this modular unit, you are expected:
1. Explore the nature and effects of drugs of abuse and substances such as alcohol,tobacco, and
others on personal health and social relationships;
2. Synthesize accurate information the health, legal, and social consequences ofdrug and
substance abuse and examine how this negatively impacts the person who uses the drug, and his or her
family, friends and community; and
3. Make a personal commitment to remain drug free and develop a plan to addressdrug and
substance abuse.

Input N0. 1: The Nurture of Drug and Drug Abuse (FAQs)

What is a Drug?
A drug is a chemical substance that brings about physical, emotional or behavioral change in a person
taking it.
How are drugs taken?
1. Ingestion
2. Inhalation
3. Injection
4. Used 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 take in dangerous
combinations or by hypersensitive (allergic) person in ordinary or even small amounts.
Why People Turn to Drugs?
There are various reasons-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 users and in the
context that it is used as an alcoholic substitute.
What is Drug Abuse?
Drug abuse is the use of chemical substance, illicit, which results in an individual’s physical, mental or
social impairment. It may refer to any of the following practices:
1. Using, without benefit or prescription, useful drugs which have the capacity toalter mood or
behavior;
2. Using drugs and substances for a purpose different from the one for which thedrug has been
prescribed; and
3. Using drugs and substances having no legitimate medical application forpurposes 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 ff
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 which increase alertness and physicaldisposition
Examples: amphetamine, cocaine, caffeine, nicotine
2. Hallucinogens (Psychedelics). Drugs which affect sensation, thinking, selfawareness and emotion.
Changes in time and space perception, delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations may be mild or
overwhelming, depending on dose and quantity of the drug.
Examples: LSD, Mescaline and Marijuana
3. Sedatives. Drugs which may reduce anxiety and excitement
Examples. Barbiturates, Non-barbiturates, Tranquilizers, Alcohol
4. Narcotics. Drugs that relieve pain and often induce sleep
Examples: Opium and its derivatives such as Morphine, Heroin, Codeine What is a Drug Abuser?
Anyone can be a drug abuser. Drug abuse is no respecter of age, sex and nsocial 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, in appearance and in mood- occur in a person who is abusing drugs.
Sudden changes occur in the person’s disposition from pleasant to unpleasant.
Thus, he:
1. is often associated with known drug abuses;
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 but not himself for his problems;8. develops changes in normal capabilities in
school/work; and
9. borrows money and at times steals various items unsually.

Common Signs of Drug Abuse

1. Injection marks of an addict
2. Unusual effort made to cover arms in order to hide needle marks
3. Stealing items which can be readily sold for cash to support a drug habit
4. Changes in mood-depending on the drug taken
Examples: depressed or becoming elated and euphoric
5. Association with knowledge abuses
6. Change from normal capabilities (work habits, efficiency, etc.)
7. Change in attendance at work or school
8. Wearing sunglasses constantly at inappropriate times (for instance, indoors or atnight) 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.
In fact, it is 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
moneylaundering activities.”
 The Philippine situation is not any different from other countries of the world that are affected
by drug problem and is in fact following the trends in other countries.
Three (3) major based abused drugs dominate the drug scene in the country. The first is
methamphetamine hydrochloride commonly known as “Shabu”, which is the main drug used by drug
abusers. The second is Marijuana. According to some sources, the Philippine has become the world’s
second biggest source of marijuana after Mexico.
Commonly Abused Drugs
1. Shabu (Methamphetamine Hydrochloride). Methamphetamine is the most popularabused 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. The
abuse of methamphetamine was noted in 1986. Among the affluent, entertainment and artist
population. The status of methamphetamine or “shabu” abuse at that time seemed well confined.
However, in 1987the abuse spread to the general population.
Today, methamphetamine is available in varying degrees throughout the country. This
widespread availability is illustrated by increasing methamphetamine seizures, arrests, and cases filed in
court.
2. Ecstasy or Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Ecstasy is fast making itspresence 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
hallucinogen. It is strongly linked to music and dance culture and has a growing user based among the
elites (Class A and 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.
There are reports 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 Grin Hornets Aigners, Achtung, and Mitsubishi. Studies abroad
reveal that the damage caused by ecstasy to one’s health is irreversible.
3. Marijuana. Mariuana abounds in the Philippines. But since the early nineties, ithas seized to be
the drug of choice. Most of what is produced locally is 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.
The Cordillera Authonomous Region is the biggest producer of cannabis or marijuana in the
country as evidenced by the number of plants and seeds confiscated within a ten-year period of time.

EXPLAIN with a minimum of 100 words, FOR 20 POINTS:DEVELOP A POLICY STATEMENT

DESCRIBING THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS THE DRUG PROBLEM IN THE PHILIPPINES TAKING INTO
CONSIDERATION A PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS APPROACH TO THE ISSUE.TO BE SUBMITTED
ON July 31 2021.