The Social Menace
of Drug Addiction
Learning Outcomes
I. Determine the concepts of drugs and drug addiction
II. Evaluate some common illegal substances and their adverse effects on the users
III. Derive-commitment to the prevention and fight against drug addiction
Coloma and Herrera (2004) state that
Drug dependence refers to the overuse of a drug without due regard to accepted medical
practice, thus resulting in an individual’s physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment
Drug is defined by the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as
follows:
1. Clinical Definition
Drug is a therapeutic substance other than food used in the prevention, diagnosis. Alleviation,
treatment, or cure of disease in humans or animals
2. General Definition
Drug is a substance aside from food intended to affect the structure or function of a
physiological system, such as the human body
3. Popular Definition
I. Drug refers mainly to chemical or plant-derived substances
II. Drug addiction pertains to dependency on drugs
III. Drugs change the way the body and the brain function.
Thus, it is wise to know that not all drugs are harmful or are always safe
Addiction
Means not having control over doing, taking, or using something, until it becomes harmful.
Classification of Dangerous Drugs
Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 (2 classifications)
1. Prohibited drugs
Produce psychological effects of narcotics or those that relieve
pain and induce sleep (cocaine, LSD, marijuana, and opium and its derivatives)
2. Regulated drugs
Self-inducing sedatives, such as barbiturates, amphetamines, or other hypnotic drugs or
compounds
Republic Act No. 9165
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
It is the policy of the state to safeguard the integrity of its territory and the well-being of its
citizenry particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on their physical
and mental well-being, and to defend the same against acts or omissions detrimental to their
development and preservation.
Common Drug Types
Marijuana
I. Plant parts
II. Leaves, tops, stems, flowers, and roots from a cannabis plant, that are dried and prepared
for smoking or taken orally with food .
III. Also known as “bhang”, pot, or weed (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, 2021a)
Adverse Effects
I. Impairment of memory and short term I. Decreased sperm count
cognitive functioning
II. Decreased testosterone levels
II. Impairment of motor skills
III. Symptoms of mental illness
III. Respiratory problems
IV. Premature babies
V. Panic or state of anxiety
VI. Motivational Syndrome
VII. Burnout
VIII. Susceptibility of infections
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride
(Shabu)
I. A type of amphetamine also known as poor man’s cocaine “shabu, ubas, siopao, sha, and
ice” (Jacquews, Allen, & Wright, 2014)
II. Is a white, odorless crystal or crystalline powder with a bitter and numbing taste (Drug
Enforecement Agency, 2021b)
III. Popular among Filipino
I. Usually insufflated, ingested, or injected.
II. It is called ice because it resembles rock candy or a chip of ice, and is odorless.
III. Typically packed in a small plastic bag and is commonly administered by placing the
substance in a glass pipe; heating it, and inhaling the vapors
IV. Another popular method is using foil instead of glass (Guevara, 2013)
Adverse Effects
I. Anxiety, tension, irritability, irrational behavior, talkativeness, and loss of self-control
II. Loss of appetite and inability to sleep
III. Euphoria
IV. Acute psychotic reactions, violent and destructive behavior, and recklessness that may result
in accidents.
Physiologic Effects
1. chest pain
•Irregular hearbeat
•Elevated or lowered blood pressure
•Weight loss
•Convulsion
•Death from cardiac arrest (Philippine Drug Agency, 2021b)
Long-term Effects
•Psychiatric consequences
•Difficulty concentrating and remembering things
•Loss of interest in sex, ambition, or motivation
•Severe irritation of the nasal passages
•Poisoning
•AIDS
Inhalants (Abuse)
Deliberate inhalation of volatile chemical substances that contain psychoactive
(mind-mood-altering) vapors
Dangers of Inhalant Abuse
•May cause permanent damage to the brain and result in sudden sniffing death syndrome.
•Prone to accidents, drowning, and falling
Immediate Effects
I. Confusion and disorientation
II. Distorted perception of time and distance
III. Aggressive behavior/violence
IV. Hallucinations
V. Illusions
VI. Nausea and Vomiting
VII. Drowsiness and weight loss
Delayed Effects
I. Loss of memory
II. Inability to think
III. Muscle cramps and weakness
IV. Numbness of limbs
V. Abdominal pains
VI. Damage to the central nervous system, kidney, liver, and, sometimes, bone marrow
Ecstasy
“Methylenedioxymethamphetamine”
•Also know as X-TC, and ADAM or Eden tablet
•Purest form of a crystalline white powder with a musty odor
•It is traded illegally in the form of tablets, capsules, or powder, which are ingested orally.
Adverse Effects
▪Fatigue and, perhaps, depression after the drug is stopped
▪Restlessness, anxiety, and pronounced visual and auditory hallucinations at large doses
▪nausea and vomiting
▪Rise in blood pressure and heart rate, or death from heart failure or stroke
▪Neurotoxicity, and brain and liver damage when used regularly
Opiates/Narcotics
1. Refers to the coagulated juice of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L. )
2. Come from the seed pod of the Asian poppy such as seeds, straws, branches, and leaves
3. For floral, decorative, and culinary purposes
4. Medically to relieve pain but have a high potential for abuse
Cocaine
•Leaves of the Erythroxylum coca plant, a shrub originating from South Africa
•Affects the Central Nervous System
•Appetite suppressant
•Gives rise to a euphoric sense of happiness that increases energy (Guevara, 2013)
•Quick acting drug
•Legally used in medicine as a topical anesthetic (eye, nose, and throat surgeries)
•Crystalline topane
•Increases alertness thus causing euphoria (Guevara, 2013)
•Incas of Peru –FIRST known users of the coca leaf
•In 1860-pure cocaine believed to be a cure-all
Sedatives
I. Sedative-hypnotic drugs, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills are drugs that depress or slow
down human body functions. T
II. These drugs are dangerous when taken without a medical doctors’ prescription or
supervising physician
Steroids
•Anabolic steroids are not used in medicine for reduction of inflammation
•Are taken to build muscle mass and strength
•Typically consist of male sex hormones, and can be damaging when used without a medical
prescription
Tobacco
•Often smoked in the form of cigarettes or cigars, or chewed
•Contains nicotine, which is a stimulant and a highly addictive substance that has been known to
cause cancer and other diseases
Nicotine
•Through smoking, nicotine is absorbed through the lungs and it reaches the brain in about seven
seconds.
•The nicotine receptors in the brain are part of the pleasure center that could be responsible for
nicotine’s euphoric effects
Reasons Behind Drug Abuse
•Adolescence is a time of experimental
•Common among teenagers
•curiosity
•Social influences or peer pressure
•New sensations (increased energy and confidence)
•Rebellion and willingness to take risks
•Escapism
Signs of Drug Dependency
•Mood swings or explosive outbursts •Impaired memory and poor concentration
•Staying out late or not coming home at night •Bloodshot or glassy eyes
•Frequent absences from work or school, or •Lethargy and loss of motivation
declining work or school performance
•Deterioration of physical appearance and
•Unexplained need for money, or sudden loss grooming
of money and valuables
•Less extracurricular activities
•Sudden or noticeable change in friends
•Tiredness or changes in sleeping patterns
•Changes in eating patterns
A person is suspected of using drugs
•Establish a connection and conversation
•Do not judged and will be listened to and understood
•Organizing peer counselors/ peer counseling
Activity Addiction Prevention
Addiction Prevention
◦ Divide the class into 4 groups and assign a type of addiction for them to showcase and practice refusal
skills and decision-making in peer pressure situations.
◦ Alcohol Addiction
◦ Drug Addiction
◦ Gambling Addiction
◦ Internet and Technology Addiction
References
Villasoto, H. S. & Villasoto, N. S. (2022). Human person gearing towards social development:
NSTP-CWTS 1: A worktext for college students (3rd ed.). C&E Publishing, Inc.