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Lecture/Handouts
In
CDI 107
Vice and Drugs Education and Control
RUEL S. ENCELA
Assistant Professor III
1st Semester 2024
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Overview
No community in our country is said to be free of the problems of
vice and illicit drug use. Despite years of vices and drug suppression
efforts by all levels of government and numerous anti-drug
organizations, the cycle of drug use continues. In answer to the globally
challenging problem of the illicit trafficking and proliferation of
dangerous drugs and to strengthen the anti-drug abuse program of the
government. Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous
Drugs Act of 2002, was passed on July 4, 2002, effectively repealed and
replaced the existing drug law, R.A 6425, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of
1972.
With the end view of pursuing a more intensive and sustained
campaign against the trafficking of dangerous drugs. R.A 9165
reconstituted and revitalized the Dangerous Board (DDB), which
already existed under R.A 6425, and vested it with increased powers
and duties to pursue its mandate as the policy-making and strategy
planning body in the drafting and formulations of policies and programs
on drug abuse prevention and control. Entrenched in this drug law,
however, are provisions aiming at achieving a balance in the national
drug control program so that people with legitimate needs are not
prevented from being treated with adequate amounts of required
medications which may include the use of dangerous drugs.
Unfortunately, no community in the Philippines can escape the
problems surrounding illicit drugs and vices.
As gleaned from observation, recent initiatives regarding the
prevention of drug abuse and the control of its related vices in the
country have highlighted education as the primary medium for change,
and education must be directed toward behavior change. In fact, the
Philippines may be considered a “center for Drug Education” in South
East Asia. Even local statutes have mandated the participation of the
family, students, teachers, and school authorities in its enforcement.
Education is critical, for it gives people the ability to later beliefs
and attitudes based on what they know. Knowledge about the effects of
drugs, especially dangerous drugs, and their related vices, the
mechanisms of actions, and the influences of emotions on drug or vice-
taking behavior form the basis of drug education and vice control.
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D. Discussion
INTRODUCTION
Vices are generally thought of as habits or behaviors that are, at
best, unacceptable and, at their worst…immoral. Yet, those vices have
become so commonplace that we’ve ceased to recognize them as such,
depending on the culture you live in.
It also refers to any immoral conduct or habit, the indulgence of
which leads to depravity, wickedness, or corruption of mind and body. As
a social problem, vice control must be a coordinated effort of the
government, the family, the community, the school system, the church,
mass media, and civic groups who must actively campaign for the
suppression of vices in society. The government, using police power
serving as an effective agency of control, must embark on repressive
measures against vice maintainers. The community members as a whole
must make an effort to attain moral education and economic upliftment
through civic-mindedness and voluntary participation.
Commercialized vices are organized operations that run similarly to
a legitimate business enterprise, branching out to a legal undertaking as
a front to cover their illicit trade and launder illegally amassed wealth.
They maintain complete personnel for purposes of management,
supervision, and operation, as well as provide funds for security,
informers, and protection money to prevent police raids and arrests,
prosecution, and conviction if the need arises. Identifying the head of the
operation is difficult since the business is interwoven with each other
ranging from prostitution, drug traffic, and gambling, catering to
numerous forms of clientele and customers such as criminals, pleasure
seekers, substance abusers, gamblers, and alcoholics.
The four most persistent and common forms of vices are
alcoholism, drug addiction, prostitution, and gambling. Vice control
always poses problems to law enforcement work due to the clandestine
nature of the commission of acts relating to vices. Vice operators enjoy
goodwill hence it results in the lack of cooperation from the players,
customers, the victims, and the community members at large. In
addition, there is public apathy and indifference towards vice control.
Lastly, there is seemingly a lack of political will among government
leaders to work against vice existence, for vice operations are a good
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source of funds and laughing money used in exerting influence, bribes,
protection, and campaign expenditures.
The study of vice is significant because of its persistence and
continued presence in our society. They tend to, directly and indirectly
affect the community's daily lives. Since its effects are harmful and
disastrous orally, its physical results would be an increase in crime
occurrences. Vice disrupts the social stability and makeup of the Filipino
family and is a burden to youth who are the most affected members of
society due to vice problems. Its prevention and control are vital for
nation-building and sustained economic growth of the country.
Definition of Vice
The word “vice” is derived from the Latin word vitium, which
means “failure” or “defect”. A vice is a habitual practice that is
considered sinful or degrading within a society. It can also refer to a
negative character trait or an unhealthy habit like excessive smoking,
drinking alcohol, and gambling.
Law enforcement, it refers to criminal activities related to
gambling, alcohol, illegal drugs, prostitution, pornography, and the like
and crimes related to.
Seven (7) deadly vices or sins were identified by Dante Alighieri in
the classical work, “Divine Comedy.” (Elements of Vices)
1. Pride – This refers to an excessive love of one’s self.
2. Envy- This refers to the resentment of others for their worldly
possessions.
3. Wrath–This refers to one’s feelings of hatred, revenge, or anger
towards another person.
4. Sloth - It also refers to laziness, this is similar to idleness or
wasting one’s time doing unproductive things.
5. Avarice- This refers to the desire to possess more than what is
needed. This is also a desire to own excessive amounts of material
things.
6. Gluttony – This refers to the desire to engage in overindulgence in
drinks, intoxicants, and food.
7. Lust – This refers to one’s excessive sexual desire.
The Most Common Vices
Apart from the classical definition of “vice”, there are also some
common vices existing throughout the world.
1. SMOKING
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Smoking comes in many forms, such as tobacco smoking and
electronic cigarette (E–Cigarette).
Tobacco smoking refers to the act of burning tobacco leaves and
inhaling the smoke.
E-Cigarette – this is a battery-powered vaporizer that has recently
gained popularity among smokers. This gadget stimulates tobacco
smoking by generating an aerosol that resembles smoke via a heating
element (atomizer).
Most of us know that smoking:
Causes cancer, lung disease, and heart disease
Can shorten your life by 10 years or more
It can cost a smoker thousands of dollars a year.
So, why are people still lighting up? The answer, in a word, is
addiction.
Besides these long-term problems, the chemicals in cigarettes and
other products also can affect the body quickly. Teen smokers can
have many of these problems:
Bad breath. Cigarettes leave smokers with a condition called
halitosis or lasting bad breath.
Bad-smelling clothes and hair. The smell of stale smoke tends to
last- not just on people’s clothing but on their hair, furniture, and
cars. It’s hard to get the smell of smoke out.
Trouble keeping up in sports. Smokers usually can’t compete
well with non-smokers. Physical effects of smoking, like a fast
heartbeat, decrease circulation, and shortness of breath, harm
sports performance.
Greater risk of injury and slower healing time. Smoking hurts
the body’s ability to make collagen. So common sports injuries,
such as damage to tendons and ligaments, will heal more slowly in
smokers than nonsmokers.
Increase the risk of illness. Studies show that smokers get sick
more with colds, flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia than non-smokers.
And people with some health conditions, like asthma, get sicker if
they smoke. (and often if they’re just around people who smoke).
Teens who smoke as a way to manage their weight often light up
instead of eating. So their bodies can lack the nutrients needed to
grow, develop, and fight off illness well.
2. ALCOHOL
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An alcoholic drink often contains anywhere from 3% to 40%
alcohol. Such drinks are legally sold and consumed in many
countries around the world.
The term “alcoholism” refers to problems related to alcohol
consumption. Generally, it is used to refer to the uncontrolled and
compulsive- consumption of alcoholic drinks in a way that is
detrimental to the well-being of the drinker as it affects one’s
health, social standing, work, and personal relationships.
Medically speaking, alcoholism is considered a disease and
an addictive illness. the misuse of alcohol can potentially damage
major organs in the body, including the brain. Moreover, the
cumulative toxic effects of chronic alcohol abuse can cause
medical and psychiatric problems and, in most cases, can
lead to various criminal activities. Thus, the production and
selling of alcohol is a widely regulated industry (Alcoholism,
n.d.).
3. GAMBLING
The term “gambling” refers to the act of betting money on an
event with an uncertain outcome, guided by the intent of winning
additional money from what has been initially staked. People take
to gambling as a way to escape their stress, problems, and
loneliness. For others, gambling is a means of recreation. However,
it has been proven to be an addictive activity, leading gamblers to
continue with gambling activities regardless of whether or not they
are still earning.
Moreover, when gamblers engage in excessive gambling, they are
likely to spend money and time at the expense of their jobs, families, and
friends. In the family, gambling leads to distrust among loved ones, while
in the workplace, gambling can lead to a decline in the quality of one’s
professional output. Gamblers exhibit mood swings and secretive
behavior; they then start borrowing money and taking loans to spend
more, ultimately leading to bankruptcy.
In the area of law and enforcement, it is widely acknowledged that
gambling can lead gamblers toward crime. The addiction can lead to
such an extreme that they have to resort to bad practices to recoup their
initial “investments”. On the other end of the spectrum, lenders exploit
these gamblers by hooking them into a trap where endless debt is sure to
follow.
4. PROSTITUTION
This is an act or practice of a woman, man, or child who indulges
habitually or engages in sexual intercourse for money or profit.
This is a vice that causes physical suffering to society.
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Although prostitution is illegal, there has been no effective method
to curb and prevent it.
Often called the oldest profession known to man, prostitution has
existed and persisted since the beginning of man’s recorded history.
Prostitution may be controlled and regulated, and commercialized
prostitution must be abated.
IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY OF VICE
1. It is important because its evil effects are morally and physically
more disastrous than other crimes.
2. It is important because vice affects many people's daily lives.
3. It is important because its existence causes a serious problem in
law enforcement.
4. It is important because commercialized vice disrupts the social
makeup of the community.
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