DANGEROUS DRUGS
Any substance listed in RA 9165 B. According to Legal Categories:
Substance affecting the CNS which when According to RA6425, Dangerous Drugs Act of
taken into the human body brings about 1972,
physical, emotional or behavioral changes 1.Prohibited Drugs: not legally sold
in a person taking it. a. Narcotics
Refer to the broad categories or classes of b. Stimulants
controlled substances. c. Hallucinogens
Group according to pharmacological
classifications, effects and as to their legal 2. Regulated Drugs: legally sold with prescription
criteria. a. Barbiturates
b. Hypnotics
c. Amphetamines
A. According to effects:
1. DEPRESSANT – (downers)
are group of drugs that has the effect of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Drug Law of
depressing the Central nervous system. 2002)
these are drugs which suppress vital body Declassified RA 6425 classification into one
functions especially those of the brain or whole definition of dangerous drugs to
central nervous system with the resulting include ingredients and precursors or
impairment of judgment, hearing, speech chemical elements.
and muscular coordination.
narcotics, barbiturates, tranquilizers, Volatile Substances (PD1619)
alcohol and other volatile solvents The group of liquid, solid or mixed
Narcotics (opiates-morphine, heroin, substances having the property of releasing
codeine) toxic vapors or fumes which when sniffed,
Sedatives-hypnotics/Tranquilizers smelled, inhaled or introduced into the
Barbiturates (socobarbital, amobarbital) physiological system of the body produces
benzodiazepines( diazepam, flunitrazepam) or induces a condition of intoxication,
alcohol and other volatile solvents excitement or dulling of the brain or
nervous system
2. Stimulants (Uppers) Glue, gasoline, kerosene, ether, paint,
are group of drugs having the effect of thinner, etc
stimulating the Central Nervous System. Volatile substances classification:
they produce effects opposite to that of 1.Volatile solvents are liquids that vaporize at room
depressants, they produce increased temperature.
mental alertness, wakefulness, reduce ex. paint thinners and removers, dry-cleaning
hunger, and provide a feeling of well being. fluids, degreasers, gasoline, glues, correction fluids,
Amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine, and felt-tip markers.
methamphetamine hydrochloride, nicotine
2. Aerosols are sprays that contain propellants and
solvents.
Ex. spray paints, deodorant and hair sprays,
3. Hallucinogens (Psychedelics) vegetable oil sprays for cooking, and fabric
are group of drugs that consists of a variety protector sprays.
of mind-altering drugs, which distort
reality, thinking and perceptions of time, 3. Gases include medical anesthetics as well as
sound, space and sensation. gases used in household or commercial products.
drugs which affect sensation, thinking, self- Medical anesthetics include ether, chloroform,
awareness and emotion halothane, and nitrous oxide (commonly called
Marijuana, Lysergic acid diethylamide "laughing gas"). Other household or commercial
(LSD), peyote, mescaline, Phencyclidine products containing gases include butane lighters,
(PCP) propane tanks, and refrigerants.
Can grow from 3 to 6 feet
4. Nitrites often are considered a special class of Active ingredient Meconic acid (analgesic
inhalants. Unlike most other inhalants, which act property)
directly on the central nervous system (CNS), Source of morphine,heroin, and codeine
nitrites act primarily to dilate blood vessels and
relax the muscles. Ex. Isoamyl nitrate The Coca Bush Plant
Scientifically known as Erythroxylon coca
C. According to source or origin Common in South America
1. Natural drugs are active ingredients of plants and Attains height of 6 to 8 feet can be
other living systems that may be isolated by harvested 3 to 4 times in a year
extraction. ex. Morphine from Opium Cocaine (natural stimulant)
◦ Cocaine from coca plant
◦ Ephedrine from ephedra plant
◦ Marijuana hashish from MJ Plant
The Ephedra Plant
2. Semi-synthetic drugs are products from natural Known in Chinese as “Ma Huang”
sources but they have to undergo a chemical Scientifically known as Ephedra vulgaris
process (ex. Heroine from morphine through Plant that contains psychotropic properties
acetylation process; Codeine from Opium; one of which is the alkaloid Ephedrine and
Marijuana oil from Hashish) Pseudoephedrine, active ingredient of anti-
asthma drugs
3. Synthetic drugs are artificially produced Essential chemical precursor in the
substances, synthesize in the laboratory, for the production of Methamphetamine or
illicit market, which are almost wholly Amphetamine drugs.
manufactured from chemical compounds in illicit
laboratories.(ex. Meth from phenyl acetone) D. By Use
1. Predator drugs – “date-rape drugs”
4. Designer drugs are substances whose molecular drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA)
structure has been modified in order to optimize agents, this substance used to incapacitate
their effect on the one hand, and in order to bypass women for sexual purposes.
laws and regulations governing the control of ketamine, alcohol, Rohypnol
substances on the other hand.(ex. MDMA; (flunitrazepam), and Gamma
Ketamine) hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
Plants as source of Dangerous Drugs 2. Club drugs – these are drugs used at parties and
The Marijuana Plant clubs used in clubs and parties. Ex. Ecstacy, LSD,
◦ Refers to Indian hemp plant PCP (phencyclidine)
◦ Approximate height of 15-20 feet
◦ Scientifically named as Cannabis sativa 3. Street drugs – those drugs frequently sell in the
◦ Female plant (pistillate/shorter but long-lived) streets. Ex. Marijuana and Meth
◦ Male plant (staminate/taller but short-lived)
◦ Leaves- formed a fingerlike look odd in numbers 4. Human-Performance drugs – drugs that improve
from 3-13 leaves or impair one’s performance. Ex. anabolic steroid
◦ Stalk- height of 3 to 16 feet
◦ Roots – length of up to 8inches 5. Inhalants – substances that contain volatile
substance that are inhaled to produce their desired
The Opium Poppy Plant effects. Ex. Pain thinners, gasoline, cleaners.
Scientifically known as Papaver
somniferum E. Classification by Schedule: The
Papaver-Greek term means poppy Controlled Substance Act and Listed
Somniferum- Latin term means
Chemicals
dream/induced sleep
Based on potential for abuse, potential for Some users combine cocaine powder with
dependence, and medical value heroin in “speedball”
1. Schedule I – High potential for abuse and no
medical use. Ephedrine
2. Schedule II – High potential for abuse some Alkaloid from ephedra sinica, or prepared
accepted medical uses with ranging dependence. synthetically
3. Schedule III – Some potential for abuse and have Stem (30-90%)
accepted medical uses with ranging dependence. Pseudoephedrine is another active
4. Schedule IV – Low potential for abuse and ingredient
current medical use with limited dependence. White crystals or powder
5. Schedule V – Low abuse potential and current Hydrochloride or sulfate
medical use with very low dependence. (Ephedra plant)
6. Designer drugs – substances that are related to a Dr. Nagayoshi Nagai isolated ephedrine
controlled drug with high potency. from the ephedra plant
7. Obtaining trace precursor chemicals and may
lead to penalties-record keeping Uses of Ephedrine
It is a sympathomimetic amine commonly
F. By Acid-Base Character used as a
Acidic Drugs stimulant,
ex. Marijuana, GHB , steroids, barbiturates concentration aid,
decongestant,
Basic drugs (amines) appetite suppressant, and
Alkaloids – cocaine, opiates, tryptamines (psilocin to treat hypotension associated with
and psilocybin) anaesthesia
Nonalkaloids – benzodiazepines, phenethylamine,
ketamine, PCP Ecstasy
Methylenedioxymethyl- amphetamine
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (HCl) (MDMA)
White, odourless crystal or crystalline Stimulant drug that can cause
powder with a bitter numbing taste. hallucinations. It is known as a designer
Trade Name drug because it was created for the
o DESOXYN® (methamphetamine purpose of making someone feel high
hydrochloride tablets, USP) It is commonly used as a mood enhancer at
o DESOXYN tablets contain 5 mg of parties and nightclubs. In high doses,
methamphetamine hydrochloride for oral ecstasy can cause seizures and vomiting or
administration. may contribute to death.
o treat for ADHD, weight loss Ecstasy is both a hallucinogenic and a
stimulant drug. It makes users experience a
rush of good feelings (a high) and makes
Cocaine
feelings much more intense, whether
coke, crank, snow, crack (crystalline free-
they're good or bad. The drug's effects
base form), zip
usually last up to 6 hours.
The word “coca” is a pre- Incan Tiwanaku
Ecstasy increases heart rate and can cause
word Khoka means “the plant”
dry mouth, clenched teeth, blurred vision,
Chewed to produce mild and long lasting
chills, sweating, or nausea. It can make
euphoria
some users feel anxious, confused, and
Originated from Erytroxylon Coca (found in
paranoid, like someone is trying to hurt
South America and Java)
them or is plotting against them. Ecstasy
Used as local anaesthetic in minor surgery
may damage brain cells that are involved in
benzoylmethylecgonine, an ecgonine
thinking and memory.
derivative) is a tropane alkaloid that is
obtained from the leaves of the coca plant.
Most potent natural stimulant Marijuana
hallucinogens are drugs that can produce of crying children, anesthesia, euthanasia,
changes in mood and diarrhea, and melancholy.
A user may speak of “hearing” colors, and Symptoms of overdose
“seeing” sounds. o Anxiety, blurred vision, blue lips and
Smoking marijuana can affect your memory fingernails, chest pain or discomfort, chills
and cognitive function and cause harmful o cold sweats, coma, confusion, constricted,
cardiovascular effects, such as high blood pinpoint, or small pupils (black part of eye)
pressure. Long-term marijuana use can
worsen respiratory conditions. Heroin
diesel, smack, scag, heron, black tar, horse,
Side Effects of Marijuana: junk, brown, dark and H, white lady, joy
altered senses (for example, seeing powder.
brighter colors) Speedball – mixture of cocaine with heroin
altered sense of time. or morphine
changes in mood. synthetic derivative of (hence
impaired body movement. diacetylmorphine) and is synthesized from
difficulty with thinking and problem- it by . The white crystalline form is
solving. commonly the hydrochloride salt
impaired memory.
hallucinations (when taken in high doses) Barbiturates
delusions (when taken in high doses) are drugs that act as central nervous
system depressants, and can therefore
Cannabis produce a wide spectrum of effects, from
483 known compounds in the plant, mild sedation to total anaesthesia. They are
including at least 84 other cannabinoids, also effective as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and
such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol anticonvulsants
(CBN), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and Barbituric acid, the basic structure of all
cannabigerol (CBG); and barbiturates
the principal psychoactive constituent of First synthesize (1863) by Adolf von Baeyer
cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (German Chemist).
o The word "barbiturate" is a
Common Form of (Marijuana)MJ combination of "Barbara" with
Plant – usually smoked. When eaten 5 to "urea": von Baeyer discovered it on
10 less potent than eating due to Saint Barbara’s Day, and urea was
incomplete absorption from the intestine. used in the synthesis of the new
Marijuana Cake – MJ is finely pulverized molecule.
and well baked in order to decarboxylate o Barbara + Urea
the acid. Side Effects of Barbiturates:
MJ Bricks – formed by hydraulic press. o Onset of dizziness.
Marijuana resin/Hashish oil
o Sedative effects.
o Lightheadedness.
Opium o Nausea.
Opiates/ narcotics
o Abdominal pain.
Opiates, sometimes called narcotics, are a
o Vomiting.
group of drugs that are used medically to
relieve pain, but have a high potential for
Benzodiazepines
abuse. Some opiates come from a resin
class of psychoactive drugs whose core
taken from the seedpod of the Asian
chemical structure is the fusion of a
poppy. Opiates that are commonly abused
benzene ring and a diazepine ring.
are Opium, Morphine, Codeine, and
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs
synthesized or manufactured opiates
that can treat a range of conditions.
Physicians of ancient civilizations used
Doctors often prescribe them to treat
opium for the treatment of pain, sedation
anxiety, seizures, and insomnia. The
short-term use of these medications is
usually safe and effective, but long-
term use can lead to tolerance,
dependence, and other adverse effects.
Diazepam: panic attacks, restless leg
syndrome,
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium): alcohol
withdrawal
Alprazolam: panic and anxiety
disorders
Lorazepam: anxiety, seizures, and
anesthesia
