CHAPTER 2

Drugs Education

1. Define Drugs
2. To discuss what Drugs are Commonly Use? To
3. Identify the Ill Effects of Drug Abuse.
4. To Identify the Physiological Effect.
5. To Discuss the Signs and Symptoms
What IS Drug?

A drug is a chemical substance that brings about physical, emotional, or behavioral change in a
person taking it.

When are Drugs Harmful?

Any drug may be harmful when taken in excess. Some drugs can also be harmful if
taken in dangerous combination or by hypersensitive (allergic) persons in ordinary or even

small amounts.
What is Drug Abuse?

Drug abuse is the use of any chemical substance, licit or 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 to
alter the mood or behavior.
2. Using drugs and substance for a purpose different from the one for which the
drug has been prescribed.
 3. Using drugs and substances having no legitimate medical application for purpose other
than research.

Why do people turn Drugs?

There are reasons ranging from the following:

1. “Medicines “ can solve problem

2. Widespread access to various drugs
3. “peer pressure”
4. The notion that drugs give enjoyment to users and in the context that it used as an
alcohol substitute.

What Drugs are Commonly Used?

Drugs that are commonly abused depending on their pharmacological effects may
classifies into:

1. Stimulants- drugs which increase alertness and physical disposition. Example

Amphetamine, Cocaine, Caffeine, and Nicotine.
2. Hallucinogens (also called psychedelics) drugs, which affected sensation,
thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. Changes in time and space perception,
delusion and hallucinations may be mild or overwhelming, depending on dose
and quality of the drug.
Example: LSD, Mescaline, and Marijuana.
 3. Sedatives- drugs which may reduce anxiety and excitement. Example: Barbiturates,
Non Barbiturates Tranquilizers, and Alcohol.

4. Narcotics- drugs that relieve pain and often induce sleep .

Opium and its derivatives such as Morphine, Codeine and Heroin.

How can you Tell When One is Abusing Drugs?

A person who is abusing drugs has a lot changes in behavior appearance and mood. The
changes may be pleasant or unpleasant.

1. Is irritable , discourteous, defiant, and aggressive;

2. Is untrustworthy and lacks self-confidence.
3. Is unhealthy and unconcerned with good grooming
4. Has a low frustration tolerance
5. Lacks interest in his studies /work
6. Blames everybody for his problems
7. Prefers his “barkada” he feels accepted

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17.
What are the Ill Effects of Drug Abuse?

Drug abuse leads to medical and Health problems. The physical complications depend
to an extent on the specific drug, its source and the way it is used. Among the Physical and
mental complications are.

1. Malnutrition. The lives of drug dependents revolve around drug abuse. They miss
their regular meals because they lose their appetite.
2. Panic Reaction. The loss of thought processes can cause panic reaction or feelings of
invulnerability. Both of these states can lead to injury and death.
3. Physical Damage. In addition to those disasters, which accompany the use unsterile
syringe and contaminated drugs these may cause certain medical problems. Liver and
kidney damage may result when large quantities are taken. Many who abuse drugs
also neglect personal hygiene.

What can Person do to Prevent Drug Abuse?

1. Maintain good physical and mental heath

2. Use drugs properly. Most drugs are beneficial when used under medical advice.
3. Understand your own self. Accept and respect yourself for what you are.
4. Develop your potentials. Engage in wholesome, productive and fulfilling activities.
5. Learn to relate effectively to whom can communicate your problems freely
 6. Learn to cope with your problems and other stresses without the use of drugs.
7. Seek professional help if you feel you cannot cope with your problems.
8. Develop strong moral and spiritual foundations.

What are the Physiological Effects?

1. Muscle tension
2. Involuntary teeth clenching
3. Nausea
4. Appetite loss
5. Blurred vision
6. Rapid eye movement
7. Hallucinations
8. Irritability
9. Faintness
10. Chills
11. Sweating
12. Sleeping problems
13. Increase in heart rate, body temperature pressure
14. Liver and heart damage
15. Brain hemorrhage
Psychological Effects.

1. Extreme mood life

2. Increase in willingness to communicate
3. Increase in energy
4. Ego softening
5. Feeling of comfort , belonging and closeness to others
6. Feeling of love and empathy
7. Forgiveness
 8. Increased awareness and appreciation of music
9. Increased awareness of senses
10. Profound life changing spiritual experiences
11. Neurotically based fear dissolution
12. Experience bright and intense sensations and
13. Urge to hug and kiss people.

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

1. our appetite
2. disturbed sleeping pattern
3. erratic behavior
4. paranoia and
5. suspicious of people

What is the profile of User?

• “Class A “People
• “Yuppies”(Young urban professionals)
• Spoiled Brats
• Recreational drug users (party goers, night owls0
• Age range: 20 “s -40”s.

Penalty

The penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from five Hundred
Thousand Pesos(PHP 500,000,00) to ten Million Pesos(php 10,000,000,00) shall be imposed
upon any person, who unless authorized by law, shall possess 10 grams of
methyllenedioxymethamphetamine regardless of purity to include illegal manufacture ,sale,
administration. Dispensing, distribution, delivery and transportation.

What you should know about Marijuana

Marijuana, often called grass, pot or weed, is a crude drug made from cannabis sativa, a plant
that contains a mind –altering (psychoactive ingredient called tetrahydrocannabinol THC).
 Immediate Effects

1. Father heartbeat and pulse rate

2. Bloodshot eyes
3. Dry mouth and throat
4. Altered sense of time / disorientation
5. Forgetfulness /Inability to think
6. Impaired reflexes coordination and concentration
7. “Acute panic anxiety reaction “extreme fear of losing control.
Long –Term effects

1. Chest pain
2. Irregular menstrual cycle
3. Temporary loss of fertility for both sexes
4. Premature babies /low birth weights
5. Cancer
6. Marijuana “burn-out”(dull , slow moving, inattentive , and unaware of
surroundings)

What you should know about Inhalant Abuse What is

inhalant abuse?

Inhalant abuse is the deliberate inhalation of volatile chemical substances that contain
psychoactive (mind/mood-altering) vapors to produce a state of intoxication.
Why is inhalant abuse dangerous? 1. It will cause permanent damage to the brain or may
result in “Sudden Sniffing Death”.2. Abusers under the influence
of inhalants are prone to accident. Several inhalant abusers have died from road accidents,
drowning, falling from tall building etc. after sniffing glue. Abusers can also become violent.

3. Inhalant abuse produces psychological dependence. Once the habit is formed, the
dose has to be increased gradually to produce the same effect

Immediate Effects

1. Confusion / Disorientation
2. Distorted perception of time and distance
3. Aggressive behavior / violence
4. Hallucination
5. Illusions
6. Nausea and vomiting
Delayed Effects

1. Loss of Memory
2. Inability to think
3. Muscle cramps and weakness
4. Abdominal pains
5. Numbness in limbs
6. Damage to the central nervous system, kidneys and liver.
Why do young people abuse Inhalants?

1. Curiosity (to experiment /experience)

2. Boredom
3. Frustration (due to personal /family / school problems
4. Poor self-image
5. Weak personally (unable to cope with stress , conflict , etc)
6. Escapism
7. Lack of parental guidance.
How to deal with “Peer Pressure”

We all care what other people think about us. We want to be accepted and feel part of
the crowd.
When you are young, the influence of people of your own age is especially powerful and affects
the way you feel, dress and behave

Peer pressure is one reason people are able to live in groups.

The Influence of people on one another can help them to useful and healthy things.

However, the same pressure can influence people to do other things like using drugs.

If your friends or someone you know pressures you to use drugs. Saying “NO” can be
hard because you want them to like you and accept you as part of the group.

How can I avoid Inhalants?

1. Learn to say “No” and to ask for help. Close friends are important but you don’t have
to do everything your friends do to remain friends. Real friends will accept you
whether you take drugs or not.
2. Learn to talk to people about your problems. Don’t bottle things up inside –cry,
shout, laugh, feel sad about your problems.

3. Learn to relax. Give yourself time for:

• Physical exercise and sports for relaxation

• Meditation
• Using music to relax
• Bodily relaxation techniques like yoga
4. Learn to find new interests. Find out what you like doing, what other people like doing.
Meet new people, go to new places, and put yourself in new situations.
 CHAPTER WEB VIDEO
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1]Sonia Gasilla-De La Cruz , National Service

Training Program ( CWTS & ROTC )