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Drug Education
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DRUG EDUCATION

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, the students will be able to:

1. Identify the behavioral and social causes and consequences of drug use and
addiction
2. Analyze how this negatively impacts the person who uses the drug, and his/her
family, friends and community
3. Develop improved awareness to prevent drug use and its consequences.

The Nature of Drug and Drug Abuse

Drug is chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of

disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being.

Drug abuse, also called substance abuse or chemical abuse. It is the frequent use
of illegal drugs, or the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs with negative
consequences. It is also a disorder that is characterized by an abusive pattern of using a
substance that leads to serious problems or distress. Many teens are progressively
engaging in prescription drug abuse, particularly narcotics (which are prescribed to relieve
severe pain). Drug Addiction is affecting the brain’s prefrontal cortex. Prefrontal Cortex have
an executive function focus on controlling short-sighted, reflexive behavior, decision-making
and self-control. It has the higher-level cognitive processes that people tend to display
greater proficiency in than other animals. Damages in this area will cause people to not be
aware that their behavior is causing problems for themselves and others. The Association
of Psychological Science writes that 20-30% of people who use drugs actually develop an
addiction.

Drug dependence is the state of physical and psychological dependence, or may be

both, on a dangerous drug/s, experienced by a person following the use of that substance
on a recurrent or regular basis. A person dependent on drugs will experience withdrawal
reactions or "cold turkey” symptoms that occur after long-term use of a drug and is reduced
or stopped precipitously after abstaining from drugs.

Drug Abuse and Prevention

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Drug is any substance which, when taken into the body, alters its function physically and/or
psychologically; excluding food, water and oxygen. (World Health Organisation, 2001).
Illegal drugs, and the misuse of legal drugs can lead to drug abuse/drug addiction. It is bad
for the health and may kill you especially in an overdose situation

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE

Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:

• Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a
day
• Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
• Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
• Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
• Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
• Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it
• Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or
recreational activities because of drug use
• Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in your
life or causing you physical or psychological harm
• Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
• Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
• Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from
the effects of the drug
• Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

Physical and health warning signs of drug abuse

• Bloodshot or glazed eyes that are smaller or larger than normal. Constricted or
Dilated Pupils
• Recurrent nosebleeds
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
• Abrupt weight loss or weight gain.
• Sudden Seizures without a history of epilepsy.
• Deterioration in grooming or physical appearance.
• Unconscious Injuries/accidents of a person.
• Odd smells on breath, body, or clothing.
• Shakes, tremors, incoherent or slurred speech, impaired or unstable coordination.

Behavioral signs of drug abuse

• Poor performance in any activities
• Loss of interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies, sports or exercise; decreased
motivation.
• Complaints from colleagues
• Unusual or unexplained need for money or financial problems Withdrawn or
suspicious behaviors.
• Sudden change in interests and relationships
• Frequently getting into trouble (arguments, fights, accidents, illegal activities).
• Aggressiveness and Irritability
• Dramatic or bizarre habits
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Psychological warning signs of drug abuse

• Unpredictable change in personality or attitude.
• Sudden mood changes, irritability, angry outbursts or laughing at nothing.
• Periods of unusual hyperactivity or agitation.
• Lack of motivation; inability to focus, appearing lethargic or “spaced out.”
• Appearing fearful, withdrawn, anxious, or paranoid, with no apparent reason.

Symptoms of Drug Dependence:

1. Tolerance: Over time, you need more drugs to feel the same effects.

2. Withdrawal: As the effect of the drugs wear off, the person may experience withdrawal
symptoms: anxiety or jumpiness; shakiness or trembling; sweating, nausea and vomiting;
insomnia; depression; irritability; fatigue or loss of appetite and headaches. For severe
cases, withdrawal from drugs involve hallucinations, confusion, seizures, fever, and
agitation and can be life-threatening.

3. Loss of Control: Using more drugs than they wanted to, for longer than they intended,
or despite telling themselves that they wouldn’t do it this time.

4. Desire to Stop, But Can’t: They have a relentless desire to cut down or stop their drug
use, but all efforts stop and stay stopped, have been unsuccessful.

5. Neglecting Other Activities: They are spending less time on activities that used to be
important to them (hanging out with family and friends, exercising or going to the gym,
pursuing hobbies or other interests) because of the use of drugs.

6. Drugs Take Up Greater Time, Energy and Focus: They spend a lot of time using drugs,
thinking about it, or recovering from its effects. They have few, if any, interests, social or
community involvements that don’t revolve around the use of drugs.

7. Continued Use Despite Negative Consequences: They continue to use drugs even
though they know it’s causing problems. As an example, person may realize that their
drug use is interfering with ability to do their job, is damaging their marriage, making
problems worse, or causing health problems, but they continue to use.
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COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS

Alcohol: Although legal, alcohol is a toxic substance, particularly to a developing fetus

when a mother consumes this drug during pregnancy. One of the most common addictions,
alcoholism can have devastating effects on the alcoholic individual's physical health, as well
as his or her ability to function inter-personally and at work.

Amphetamines: This group of drugs comes in many

forms, from prescription medications like
methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and
dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall) to
illegally manufactured drugs like methamphetamine
("crystal meth"). Overdose of any of these substances
can result in seizure and death.

Anabolic steroids: A group of substances abused by bodybuilders and other athletes, this
group of drugs can lead to terrible psychological effects like aggression and paranoia, as
well as devastating long-term physical effects like infertility and organ failure.

Caffeine: While it is consumed by many, coffee,

tea and soda drinkers, when consumed in
excess this substance can be habit forming and
produce palpitations, insomnia, tremors, and
significant anxiety.
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Cannabis: More commonly called marijuana,

the scientific name for cannabis is
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In addition to the
negative effects the drug itself can produce
(for example, infertility, paranoia, lack of
motivation), the fact that it is commonly mixed
("cut") with other substances so drug dealers
can make more money selling the diluted
substance or expose the user to more
addictive drugs expose the marijuana user to
the dangers associated with those added
substances. Examples of ingredients that marijuana is commonly cut with include baby
powder, oregano, embalming fluid, PCP, opiates, and cocaine.

Cocaine: A drug that tends to stimulate the

nervous system, cocaine can be snorted in
powder form, smoked when in the form of
rocks ("crack" cocaine), or injected when
made into a liquid.

Ecstasy: Also called MDMA to denote its

chemical composition
(methylenedioxymethamphetamine), this
drug tends to create a sense of euphoria
and an expansive love or desire to nurture
others. In overdose, it can increase body
temperature to the point of being fatal.

Hallucinogens: Examples include LSD

and mescaline, as well as so-called
naturally occurring hallucinogens like
certain mushrooms. These drugs can be
dangerous in their ability to alter the
perceptions of the user. For example, a
person who is intoxicated with a
hallucinogen may perceive danger where
there is none and to think that situations
that are truly dangerous are not. Those
misperceptions can result in dangerous
behaviors (like jumping out of a window
because the individual thinks they are riding
on an elephant that can fly).
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Inhalants: One of the most commonly abused group

of substances due to its accessibility, inhalants are
usually contained in household cleaners, like
ammonia, bleach, and other substances that emit
fumes. Brain damage, even to the point of death, can
result from using an inhalant just once or over the
course of time, depending on the individual. The four
types of inhalants are: Volatile Solvents, Aerosols,
Gases and Nitrites.

Nicotine: The addictive substance found in cigarettes, nicotine

is actually one of the most addictive substances that exists. In
fact, nicotine addiction is often compared to the intense
addictiveness associated with opiates like heroin.

Opiates: This group is also called narcotics and

includes drugs like heroin,
codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, methadone,
Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, and
Percodan. This group of substances sharply
decrease the functioning of the nervous system.
The lethality of opiates is often the result of the
abuser having to use increasingly higher amounts
to achieve the same level of intoxication, ultimately
to the point that the dose needed to get high is the
same as the dose that is lethal for that individual by
halting the person's breathing (respiratory arrest).

Phencyclidine: Commonly referred to as PCP, this

drug can cause the user to feel extremely paranoid,
become quite aggressive and to have an unusual
amount of physical strength. This can make the
individual quite dangerous to others.

Sedative, hypnotic, or antianxiety drugs:

As these substances quell or depress the
nervous system, they can cause death by
respiratory arrest of the person who either
uses these drugs in overdose or who mixes
one or more of these drugs with another
nervous system depressant drug (like alcohol,
another sedative drug, or an opiate).
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DRUG ABUSE PREVENTIVE MEASURES

1. Exhaust all channel 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
form 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 skill, and developing your own personality.
5. Improve family relations; strive to create happy, healthy, and content family life. Parents
should lead good example;
6. Devise a drug awareness program to educate students on the dangers of drug 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.

What are the treatments for drug addiction?

The counseling may be individual, family, and/or group therapy.

• Understand why one got addicted
• See how drugs changed the behavior
• Learn how to deal with problems so one won't go back to using drugs
• Learn to avoid places, people, and situations where you might be tempted to use
drugs

Drug Problems in the Philippines

Reports of drug related crime are common in the Philippines media. The main
concern tends to be towards shabu which gets the most media attention. It does seem that
illegal drug use is on the rise, and this has worrying implications for the future. There is an
urgent need to educate young people as to the dangers of drug use, and there is also a
great need to help those who are already addicted to escape their misery. Failure to do this
could mean there will be further deterioration within many Filipino communities.

A US government report in 2009 concluded that illegal drug use was a significant
problem in the Philippines due to corruption and poor law enforcement. There was particular
concern expressed about the amount of methamphetamine (shabu) and cannabis
production in the area. Drug addiction appears to be on the rise in the Philippines. There are
believed to be as many as 6.7 million drug abusers according to figures from 2004- this is a
dramatic increase from 1972 when there was only believed to have been around 20,000
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drug users in the Philippines. The drug that is most abused in the Philippines continues to
be Alcohol – they are the second highest consumers of alcoholic drinks in South East Asia.

The Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002 and other pertinent laws

Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

Republic Act No. 9165, known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
approved on January 23, 2002, is an act instituting the comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act
of 2002, repealing Republic Act 6425, otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972,
as amended, and providing funds for its implementation. It establishes the Dangerous Drugs
Board. which is the policy-making and strategy formulating body in the planning and
formulation of policies and programs on drug prevention and control. It also creates the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which serves as the implementing arm of the
Board, shall be responsible for the efficient and effective law enforcement of all the
provisions on any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical as
provided in this Act.

Click the link to read the whole article:

https://pdea.gov.ph/images/Laws/RA9165.pdf

Role of the Youth on Drug Detection and Prevention

The use of legal products to get high continues to be a serious problem among youth
in the Philippines. There is an urgent need to educate our young people to the dangers of
drug use, and there is also a great need to help those who are already addicted to escape
their misery. Failure to do this could mean there will be further deterioration within many
Filipino communities.

The following are the objectives of the Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention and
Treatment Program (culled from Assistant Secretary Elmer G. Punzalan’s presentation
during the National Health Summit in September 2016):
1. More effective leadership and governance for drug abuse prevention, treatment and
rehabilitation;
2. Provision of comprehensive, integrated health care services in Treatment and
Rehabilitation Centers and community-based settings;
3. Implementation of strategies for health promotion and drug abuse prevention; and
4. Strengthened information systems, evidence and research.
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Read the article from Makati Medical Center in their news section entitled, "The Scary Facts
About Teenage Drug Abuse" . Link follows below:
https://www.makatimed.net.ph/news-and-exhibits/news/teenage-drug-abuse

References
• Wikipedia
• https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/stimulants/
• https://youthsolutions.com.au/submenu/drug-information/
• https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/
• https://deserthopetreatment.com/addiction-treatment/psychology/
• https://www.verywellmind.com/dsm-5-criteria-for-substance-use-disorders-21926
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-
causes/syc-
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ances
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ea%20or %20vomiting.