VICE AND DRUG EDUCATION AND CONTROL

Set 1

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF DRUG ABUSE

Overview
This chapter presents the historical perspective of drug abuse, the common methods of
administration of drugs and how it works in our body and the underlying causes/ influences of
drug abuse.

HISTORY OF DRUG ABUSE

The Holy Bible is a very reliable source in tracing the early use and abuse of narcotics.
The Book of Judges of the Old Testament revealed that the mighty Samson was put to sleep by
Delilah by means of a drug-laced wine before cutting his air, the source of his strength, and
subsequently gouged his eyes before the feasting Philistines already "high spirited" with narcotics
mixed with intoxicants. There are also many allusions of drug abuse in the old cities of Sodom and
Gomorrah, which might have led to the widespread adultery, bestiality and incest (Sotto, 1994).

Ancient Greek and Roman literature likewise are replete with stories alluding to drug
abuse, as in the lamentable and tragic romance of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. Cleopatra, in
desperation over her disprized love drank a narcotic-laden wine before allowing herself to be
bitten to death by a poisonous asp from the River Nile. Even in the practice of oracles and black
magic during the Roman ancient times were believed to be accomplished by "narcotics"(Sotto,
1994).

Historians credited that Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) is the world's oldest cultivated plant started by the
Incas of Peru. Peruvian and Mexican Incas have also the common practice to use the coca leaves during religious
offering ceremonies. It was also known that marijuana was a "sacred tree" in the belief of the Assyrians being
used during religious rituals — some 9,000 years B.C. The use of marijuana is also deeply ingrained in the cultures of
many countries such as India, Jamaica, Morocco, Nepal, Mexico and Peru (Sotto, 1994). The first reference of
introduction was in Northern Iran as an intoxicant. And from there it spread throughout India by the Hindus used for
religious rituals in the belief that it is a source of happiness and "laughter provoker". The word "hashis" (resin) of
the was derived from made from the resin of the female hemp plant as a reward for their successful activities in
assassinations.

American Indians too are believed to use not only the stimulant tobacco but also opium
in their peace pipes in order to "narcotize" an oppositionist to their common objectives (Sotto,
1994).

Knowledge on the opium poppy plant (Papaver Somniferum) goes back about 7000 years
.C cultivated and prepared by the Summerians. Even the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, the
Father of Medicine, prescribed the early as 5,000 B.C in the belief that its c both in the internal and
extern use. The plant was first harvested in Mesopotamia and its use spread throughout the
neighboring Mediterranean areas, then to Asia. From there, it. was introduced to Persia, India and
China by the Arab came caravans (Dungo, 1988).

Opium use in China was stemmed out from India and became widespread in the 19th
Century. From Middle East, the plant was cultivated in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Five
centuries later, An Opium trade between China and Portuguese merchants became a lucrative
business. The British took over the trade from the Portuguese and established the Opium Trade
Monopoly through the British East Indies Company.

In an attempt to stop the extremely high rate of opium addiction in China, Emperor Yung
Chen prohibited the smoking of opium and attempted to close ports for its importation. This triggered
the "opium war" of 1840 which induced China to accept the British sponsored opium trade and forced
to sign a treaty permitting the importation of opium intro China after her defeat.

It was in 1806 that a German pharmacist in the name of Friedrich W. Serturner

discovered Morphine, the first derivative of opium. He called this new drug as "Morphium’’ and later
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 changed to Morphine after the Greek god of dream, Morpheus. This was the first attempt to cure opium
addiction. But morphine addictive properties came to prominence during the American Civil War vast
numbers of American soldiers became addicted to the drug so much so that morphine addiction
became known as "soldiers’ disease".
The second attempt of treating opium and morphine addiction started in 1896 when Heroin (Diacetylmorphine),
synthesized from the drug morphine, was discovered by a British chemist in the name of Alder Wright. It was called
the "miracle drug" because it is believed that it can cure both opium and morphine addiction. It was named after the
word "hero" due to its impressive power. So, physicians began to use heroin but it became a substitution of one
addiction to another. It turns out later that heroin is the most addictive of all drugs.

Meanwhile, codeine, the third derivative of opium was discovered in France while in the process of
discovering other drugs that could cure opium, morphine and heroin addiction but it also ended in the same
tragic result. Today, it is widely used as an ingredient in most cough syrup.
There are of course other historical events that would reveal drug abuse in the history of man, the greatest
influence of the modern medical practice today. In fact, physicians all over the world still consider narcotics as the
most effective pain reliever (Sotto, 1994).

HISTORY OF DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION IN THE PHILIPPINES

Very little known about drugs in the Philippines during the pre- Spanish era. The intoxicants
and stimulants used by the early Filipinos were fermented alcoholic beverages and the masticatory
preparations known as "nga-nga" in vernacular. Narcotics, including marijuana, were not in the list of
vices in the country at that time. The opium poppy plant and the coca bush were absent in the
Philippine vegetation prior to 1521.
During the Spanish era, drug control laws prohibited the use of opium by the native
Filipinos and other people except the Chinese. Chinese residents in the Philippines Particularly in
Manila and of the more distant Chinese pariahs (ghettos) started smoking opium in 1780. As a vice, it
was not widespread and was particularly accepted and tolerated by the authorities. In 1844, The
Spanish colonial government laid down an opium monopoly, which entitled the importation by the
Spanish government and its sale to Chinese users. At this period, opium smoking became widespread
among Chinese as its use was forbidden to Indians, Mestizos and the Filipinos. This compromise
policy lasted up to 1896, a period of revolt and insurrection.

The Americans took over the rule of the country, and after establishing a civil government
in 1901. a systematic survey was conducted and it was found out that there were 190 joints where the
Chinese smoke opium. It was observed that the habit had not yet gained foothold among Filipinos.
In 1906. partial legislation allowed Chinese addicts to obtain a license to use opium in their homes for
a fee of P5.00. The opium sale was under the government control and the quality was lied.
In 1908, the total ban of opium was affected. The campaign continued until the Japanese
occupation in 1946, at which point all supplies of opium were cut off from the country and during
that period the number of opium addicts was probably the lowest in Asia.
In 1953, Republic Act No. 953 was enacted which provided for the registration of
collection, and the imposition of fixed and special taxes upon all persons who produce, import,
manufacture, compound, deal-in, dispense, sell, distribute, or give away opium, marijuana, opium
poppies, or coca leaves or any synthetic drugs which may declared as habit forming. The law also
declared as a matter of national policy, the prohibition of the cultivation of marijuana and opium
poppy.
Sometime in 1955, the marijuana plant was introduced in Pasay City by foreigners for
purpose of producing "reefers" These were sold in taverns in Pasay City and introduced into elite
schools in the same area. The PC Criminal Investigation on January 8, 1959 conducted the first
marijuana raid in Pasay City when several potted marijuana plants were seized.

The Philippines has been relatively heroin-free until the early 60's when small heroin
laboratories opened in Manila. In 1963, new trends appear. There was a waning of opium addiction
among the Filipinos, just the latter contributed 63 percent of the total arrests from drug offenses.

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 Recognizing the deleterious effect of drug abuse on the health and well-being of the Filipino
youth and the threat that it poses to national security, then President Ferdinand Marcos signed into law
Republic Act No. 6425 known as the "Dangerous Drug Act of 1972" on March 30, 1972. This law
which was amended by Presidential Decree No. 44, dated November 9, 1972 placed under control not
only narcotics by also psychotropic substances. On November 14, 1972, the Dangerous Drug Board was
organized to provide leadership, direction and coordination in the effective implementation of R.A.
6425. By early 1974, addiction to opiates and barbiturates had almost disappeared among the native
population.
During the period 1975-1980 the cultivation of marijuana increased and became geographically widespread,
thus the pattern of drug taking involved marijuana, abuse of pharmaceutical products (especially cough syrup) and the
inhalation of solvents. There was very little trafficking of heroin, cocaine and LSD and the non-availability of narcotic
drugs made the prices sour beyond the reach of Filipino drug abusers.

Definition of Terms
 Drug — is a chemical substance used as medicine or in the making of medicines, which affects
the body and mind and have potential for abuse.
 Chemical — is any substance taken into the body that alters the way and the mind and the body
work.
 Chemical Abuse — is an instance when the use of chemical has produced negative or harmful
consequences.
 Narcotic Drug — refers to illegally used drugs or dangerous drugs, which are either prohibited or
regulated drugs. It also refers to drugs that produces sleep or stupor and relieves pain due to its
depressant effect on the CNS. The term Narcotic comes from the Greek word "narcotikos". It is
sometimes known as "opiates".

 Drug Abuse is the illegal, wrongful or improper use of any drug.

 Drug Addiction — refers to the state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by the
repeated consumption of a drug.
 Drug Dependence — refers to the state of psychic or physical dependence or both on
dangerous drugs following the administration or use of that drug. WHO defines it as the
periodic, continuous, repeated administration of a drug.
 Physical Dependence — an adaptive state caused by repeated drug use that reveals it self by
development of intense physical symptoms when the drug is stopped (withdrawal syndrome).
 Psychological Dependence — an attachment to drug use that arises from a drug ability to
satisfy some emotional or personality needs of an individual.
 Tolerance — is the increasing dosage of drugs to maintain the same effect in the body.
 Pusher — any person who sell, administer, deliver or give away to another, distribute, transport
any dangerous drug.
 Use - the act of injecting, consuming, any dangerous drugs. The means of introducing the
dangerous drug into the physiological system of the body.
 Administer — the act of introducing any dangerous drug into the body of any person with or
without his knowledge.
 Manufacture the production, preparation, compounding or processing a dangerous drug
either directly or indirectly or by extraction from substances of natural origin or by chemical
synthesis.
 Drug Experimenter one who illegally, wrongfully, or improperly uses any narcotic substances for
reasons of curiosity, peer pressure, or other similar reasons.
 Drug Syndicate- It is a network of illegal drug • Drug Syndicate operations operated and manned
carefully by groups of criminals who knowingly traffic through nefarious trade for personal or group
profit.

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Drug Abuse Jargons
"Opiate" - Narcotic
"On-the-Nod/ "Nodding" - the state produced by opiates like being suspended on the edge of sleep.
"Mainline'/ "to shoot"- injecting a drug into the vein
"A Hit" - the street slang for injection of drugs
"Work" - an apparatus for injecting a drug
"A Fix" - one injection of opiate
"Juni" - heroin
"Junkie"- an opiate addict
"Skin popping"- to inject a drug under the skin
"A Bag" - a pocket of drug
"Cold Turkey" - the withdrawal effect that occurs after a repeated opiate use
"Track" - scars on the skin left from the repeated injection of opiate
"Overdose"- death occurs because the part of the brain that controls breathing becomes paralyzed.
"Speed" - amphetamines
"Speed Freaks" - amphetamine addicts
"Uppers"- street slang for amphetamines
"Rush" - the beginning of a high
"High" - under the influence of drugs
"Coke" - street slang for cocaine
"Flashback" - user can be thrown back into the drug experience months after the original use of
drug. "Acid" - slang term for LSD
"Acid Head" - LSD user
"Drop" – taking drug orally
"Joint" - an MJ Cigar
"Roach" - butt end of a joint
"Stoned" - the intoxicating effect of a drug
"Trip" - the name for the reaction that is caused by drugs
"Head" - drug user
"Downer" - street slang for depressant

WHAT ARE DRUGS?

A drug, as defined, is a chemical substance used as a medicine or in making

medicines, which affects the body and mind and have potential for abuse. Without an advice or
prescription from a physician, drugs can be harmful.
Hundreds of pure chemicals have been developed plants and put into pills, capsules or
liquid medicines. There are also two forms of drugs, natural and synthetic/ artificial. The natural
drugs include natural plant leaves, flowering tops, resin, hashish, opium, and marijuana, while
the synthetic drugs are produced by clandestine laboratories which include those drugs that are
controlled by law because they are used in the medical practice. Physicians prescribe them and
are purchased in the legitimate outlets like drugstores.
Drugs also help a person's body and mind function better during an illness. But drugs
have to be taken correctly in order to do these things. The wrong drug or the wrong amount of
the right one can make an illness, worse, destroy blood cells, damage the body and many cause
death. For this reason, most drugs can be legally purchased only with doctor's written order
called prescription. Only a medical doctor can prescribe medicinal drugs. These drugs could be
dangerous and must be used with care, according to the doctor's prescription. He gives direction
on how much medicine to take and how often.
The practice of taking drugs without proper medicinal supervision is called the non-medical use of drugs or
drug abuse.

A. THE PRESCRIPTIVE DRUGS

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 These are drugs requiring written authorization from a doctor to allow a purchase.
They are prescribed according to the individual's age, weight and height and should not be
taken by anyone else. It is a personal requirement and self-medication that should be strictly
avoided. The pharmacist should never allow the consumer to request them knowingly without
first consulting a doctor.
Once again strict emphasis of following directions needs to be stated. In addition to dosage, the physician indicates
both when and for how long the medicine should be taken. Theses directions are intended to safeguard the patient
from needlessly treating himself after his illness has been brought under control or from prematurely stopping a drug
because he thinks he is well. Since the chemistry of the body is subtle and variable, only a physician should have the
responsibility of prescribing and directing the use of drugs in the treatment of illnesses.

B. THE OVER THE COUNTER - DRUGS (OTC)

These are non-prescription medicines, which may be purchased from any pharmacy or drugstore
without written authorization from a doctor. They are used to treat minor and short-term illnesses and any
persistent condition should be immediately referred to a physician. It should be strongly emphasized that
"directions" be closely followed and all precautions necessarily taken to avoid complications.
OTC drugs are used for the prevention and symptomatic relief of minor ailments. The precautions that must
be observed when dispensing OTCs are the following:
1. the correct drug with the correct drug content is given to the correct patient in the correct dosage
form;
2. the pharmacist must counsel the patient to make sure that he/she takes the drugs correctly; and
3. the pharmacist must be aware of and know about the possible toxicity's possessed by the OTC drugs
to avoid food/drug incompatibilities and overdoses.

OTCs must be used discriminately:

1. To avoid the dispensing of OTC to known identified
2. To avoid complications, this is done by inquiring from the buyer of the drugs as to the
identity of the patient, the patient's age and other information such hypertension, etc.
3. Counseling the patient so as to avoid the "self-medication" syndrome by inquiring about the
buyer's source of information about the drug.

C. The "Self-Medication Syndrome"

The "self-medication" syndrome is found in users and would be users of drugs whose
sources of information are people or literature other than doctors, pharmacists and health
workers. These could be members of the family, relatives, and/or neighbors, all of whom may
have previously used the drug for their specific disease or disorder. Self-medication may work
against the good of the user because it can lead to intoxication and other adverse reactions.
Possible outcomes of self-medication are:
1. Adverse reaction towards the drug, such as allergies that may be mild or severe.
2. Possible non-response of the patient to the drug effectively due to incorrect drug usage.
3. Possible drug toxicities, through over dosage which may lead to severe reactions such as
nausea, vomiting, rashes, etc.
4. Possible habit-forming characteristics due to periodic use of the drugs even when such are no longer
needed.
HOW DRUGS WORK?
Most drugs act within a cell, rather than on the surface of a cell or in the extracellular
fluids of the body. Similar to normal body chemicals, a drug enters a cell and participates in a
few steps of the normal sequence of a cellular process. Thus, drugs may later, interfere with or
replace chemicals of normal cellular life, hopefully for the betterment of the person. The actual
action of a particular drug depends on its chemical make-up.

When two drugs are taken together or within a few hours of each other they may
interact with unexpected results. This is one reason a physician should always know the names

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 of all drugs one is using. A dose of a drug is the amount taken at one time. The doses taken
become an extremely important part of drug abuse. The amount of drug in a dose can be
described as:

1. Minimal dose — amount needed to treat or heal, that is, the smallest amount of a drug that will
produce a therapeutic effect.
2. Maximal dose — largest amount of a drug that will produce a desired therapeutic effect, without
any accompanying symptoms of toxicity.
3. Toxic dose — amount of d rug that produces untoward effects or symptoms of poisoning
4. Abusive dose_— amount needed to produce the side effects and action desired by an individual who
improperly uses it
5. Lethal dose — amount of drug that will cause death

HOW DRUGS ARE ADMINISTERED?

The common methods of administration are the following:

1. Oral— this is the safest most convenient and economical route whenever possible. There are
however, drugs, which cannot be administered this way because they are readily destroyed by the
digestive juices or because they irritate the mucous lining of the gastro-intestinal tract and induce
vomiting.
2. Injection --- this form of drug administration offers a faster response than the oral method. It makes
use of a needle or other device to deliver the drugs directly into the body tissue and blood circulation.
3. Inhalation this route makes use of gaseous and volatile drugs, which are inhaled and absorbed
rapidly through the mucous of the respiratory tract.
4. Topical this refers to the application of drugs directly to a body site such as the skin and the mucous
membrane.
5. Iontophoresis- the introduction of drugs into the deeper layers of the skin by the use of special type
of electric current for local effect.

THE CONCEPT OF TOXICOLOGY

A drug may cause effects because of any of the following:
1. Overdose — when too much of a drug is taken, there may be an over extension of its
effects.
2. Allergy — some drugs cause the release of histamine giving rise to allergic
symptoms such as dermatitis, swelling, fall in blood pressure, suffocation and death.
3. Idiosyncrasy — for unexplained reasons, morphine, which sedates all men,
stimulates and renders some women some maniacal. Perhaps the phrase "catty
woman" has pharmacological basis since most mammals are sedated by morphine but
some cats become extremely excited by it.
4. General Protoplasmic Poison Property — drugs are chemicals and some of them
have the property of being general protoplasmic poisons.
5. Side Effects — some drugs are not receptors for one organ but receptors of other organs as
well. The effect in the other organ may constitute a side effect, which is unwanted.
THE MEDICAL USE OF DRUGS
The best use of medicine depends upon the physician, the user or patient, and lastly,
the pharmacist. This idea was subscribed to by both Metro Manila Physicians (PNC Health
Education Survey, 1983) and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturer's Association of Washington,
D.C. (V.P., MEC, DDB 1979). Their common agreements on the intelligent use of drugs are
presented below.
1. Take medicines on doctor's advice. In prescribing medicine, the doctor considers factors like
age and weight, prevalent signs and symptoms, severity of the disease, results of laboratory
examinations, route of administration tolerated by patient, and presence of impairment in the
organ or system. The physician has always a reason for his orders.

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 2. When taking prescribed medicines, remember carefully the dosage, manner of
administration, frequency and time when to take it. Patient must not trust his memory when
taking medicine. The label of the medicine should be read three times — once when
medicine id removes from cabinet, again before medicine is taken and a third time after it is
taken. Medicine should not be taken in the dark even if patient knows its location.
3. If patient goes to more than one doctor, each one of them must know about all the drugs
being taken.
4. Avoid self-medication. Patient should not try to guess what is wrong with him or to select his
own medicines even if his symptoms seem to be familiar to those of his neighbor.

5. Report any untoward effects of medicine to the physician. After taking medicine, tell the
doctor if any symptoms develop.

6. Patient should not take additional drugs without asking his physician.
7. See whether the medicine has expired or not.
8. Be sure that the label stays on a prescription container until all is used.
9. Store medicine in a safe, cool and dry place and out of reach of children.
10. Some people just purchase and use common drugs without knowing their functions and
contradictions. Thus, instead of being relieved of some symptoms, their conditions are
aggravated. Physicians share the same opinion that the following drugs are better used under
medical supervision to avoid harmful consequences and habit formation.
11. Analgesics relieve pain. However, they may produce the opposite effects on somebody who
suffers from peptic ulcer or gastric irritation.
12. Antibiotics combat or control infectious organisms. Ingesting the same antibiotics for a
long time can result in allergic reactions and cause resistance to the drug.
13. Antipyretics can lower body temperature or fever due to infection.
14. Antihistamines control or combat allergic reactions. People who on antihistamine therapy
must not operate or drive vehicles since these drugs can cause drowsiness.
15. Contraceptives prevent the meeting of the egg cell and sperm cell or prevent the ovary
from releasing egg cells. Pregnant women must not take birth control pills to avoid
congenital abnormalities. This advice also applies to women suffering from heart disease,
varicose veins, breast limps, goiter and anemia. The effectiveness of oral contraceptives
may be reduced when taken with antibiotic.
16. Decongestants relieve congestion of the nasal passages. Prolonged used of these
decongestants might include nasal congestion upon withdrawal.
17.
Expectorants ease the expulsion of mucus and phlegm from the lungs and the throat. They
are not drugging of choice for the newborn that does not know to cough the phlegm out.
18. Laxatives stimulate defecation and encourage bowel movement. They should not be given
to pregnant women and those suffering from intestinal obstruction. Taking purgatives
(stronger than laxatives) unnecessarily might result in rupture of the intestines or
appendix if there is an obstruction Constant use might make the intestines sluggish.
THE INFLUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE
Concept of Drug Abuse
The term Drug Abuse most often refers to the use of a drug with such frequency that it causes
physical or mental harm to the user or impairs social functioning. Although the term seems to imply
that users abuse the drugs they take, in is themselves or others they abuse by using drugs.

Traditionally, the term drug abuse referred to the use of any drug prohibited by law, regardless
of whether it was actually harmful or not. This meant that any use of Marijuana, for example, even if it
occurred only once in a while, would constitute abuse, while the same level of alcohol consumption would
not.

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 The term drug is commonly associated with substances that may be purchased legally with
prescription for medical use. Other substances that may be purchased legally without prescription and
are commonly abused include alcohol and the nicotine contained in tobacco cigarettes (Groiler, 1995).
Concept of Drug Dependence
Drug abuse must be distinguished from drug dependence. Drug dependence, which is
sometimes called drug addiction, is defined by basic three characteristics (Groiler, 1995).
The users continue to take a drug over an extended period of time. Just the long this period is
dependent on the drug and the user.

The users find it difficult to stop using the drug. They seem powerless to quit the drug use.
Users take extraordinary and often harmful measures to continue using the drug. They will drop out
of school, steal, leave their families, go to jail and lose their job to keep using drug.
The users stop taking their drug — only if their supply of the drug is cut off, or if they are
forced to quit for any reason — they will undergo painful physical or mental distress. The experience
of withdrawal distress, called the withdrawal syndrome, is a sure sign that a drug is dependency-
producing and that the user is dependent on the drug. Drug dependence may lead to drug abuse —
especially the illegal drugs

Concept of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a state of mind in which a person has lost the power of self-control in
respect of a drug. He consumes the drug repeatedly leaving aside all values of life. In other words, a
drug addict will resort to crime even, to satisfy his repeated craving for the drug. The effects of
addiction are mainly deteriorative personality Changes. They include insomnia, instability, lack of
self-confidence especially when not under the influence of drug. The addict cannot concentrate on
any work. He avoids social contacts. Slowly, mentally, physically, and morally he becomes from bad
to worse and a burden to the society.

One or more of the following attributes characterizes drug addiction:

1. Compulsion/ Uncontrollable Craving — the addict feels a compulsive craving to take drug
repeatedly and tries to procure the same by any means.
2. Tolerance — it is the tendency to increase the dose of the drug to produce the same effect as
to that of the original effect.
3. Addiction — the addict is powerless to quit drug use.
4. Physical Dependence- -- the addict's physiological functioning is altered. The body becomes
sick, inactive and incapable of carrying out useful activity in the absence of the drug. The withdrawal
syndromes will occur once the drug use is stopped.

5. Psychological Dependence — Emotional and mental discomfort exist to the individual. The
drug addict feels he cannot do without the drug, consequently if he does not take the drug his
mental processes are affected. He cannot carry out his work efficiently.
6. Withdrawal Syndrome — The addict becomes nervous and restless when he does not get the drug.
After about 12 hours, he starts sweating. His nose and eyes become watery and continue doing so
increasingly for another twelve hours. It is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and sleep.
Respiration, blood pressure and body temperature also rise. This will continue up to three days. After
which, the trouble starts subsiding and most of it is gone in about a week's time. Complete recovery takes
place in three to six months.

UNDELYING CAUSES/INFLUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE

The drug addict or abuser is generally an emotionally unstable person before he acquires the
habit. He cannot face painful situations without help, he has less will power and self-control. He has not
adjusted himself to his emotional reaction. Due to this, drug addicts have low capacities for dealing with
frustrations, anxieties and stress.
Drug abuse is a multi-faceted problem exits in our locality and countryside, there is usually more than one
reason why this problem exists. Any of the following factors may influence people to abuse drugs.

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 A. Biological Factors
There are some reasons or pre-existing induced biological abnormalities of chemicals,
physiological or structural in nature that induced a person to take drugs. The following are some to consider:
1. Individual 's general health there are several diseases that easily make a person become a drug abuser.
2. It is believed that drug has the special power to prevent or to increase sexual capacity.
3. One specific genetic theory proposes that there is an inherited defect in the production of endorphin,
similar to morphine. A deficiency of the substance leads to bodily discomfort. With the use of the
morphine, this feeling is induced. According to theory, a person who uses morphine has the
physiological abnormality where endorphin production is less. The drugs when we use the body cells
work actively.

B. Common Causation of Drug Abuse

1. Children of broken home easily join peer groups as substitutes to their lost family solidarity.
2. To strike and over protectiveness of parents.
3. For curiosity eagerness to know what they have not experienced.
4. To assert their independence.
5. To rebel from parental authority.
6. To prove their guts.
7. To escape problems.
8. Peer pressure and for the sake of PAKIKISAMA.
9. They believe that drug can give deeper insights.
10. The belief that medicines can magically solve problems.
11. The easy access to drug or various sort in an affluent society.
12. The enjoyment of euphoria or excitement induced by drugs.
13. The search for sharpened perception and high perception and creativity, which some people
believe they obtained from drugs.
14. The beliefs that they are just taking it like alcohol.

15.
The dissatisfaction or disillusion of loss of faith in the prevailing system.
16.
The tendency of persons with psychological problems to seed easily solution with chemicals.
17.
The statement of proselytizers who proclaim the goodness of drugs.
18.
Slum condition - the most critical is that the slum dweller are often deprived of emotional
support.
C. Factors in Youthful Drug Abuse
(Psychological, mental health, family conditions)
1. Motives and Attitudes
Psychologically speaking, in terms of motives and function of drug use, some of which may
not be recognized by users themselves. The more a drug is used, the more it tends to satisfy more than
one motive or need.
Recent surveys of college drug use have induced the student’s reasons for drug use. In one
study smaller or larger groups mentioned all of the following motives;
1. To feel more courageous.
2. To find out more about oneself.

3. To have a religious experience to come close to God.

4. To satisfy a strong craving or compulsion.
5. To increase or reduce appetite.
6. To feel less dull or sluggish, improve sex.

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 7. To reduce sexual desire and keep from being panicked or crazy.
8. To improve intelligence or learning, prepare stress.
9. To feel less depressed of sad, relieve tension or nervousness
10. 10.To make good moral mood last longer, relieve anger or irritation

2. Personality and Pathology

This psychology has been described as follows:

1. Chronic, low-grade depression.

2. Smoldering, tense and restlessness.
3. A sense of not being taken seriously.
4. Narcissism or egocentricity.
5. Preoccupation with issues or identity, autonomy, and freedom of expression.
6. Repeated dwelling on drug taking and its effects.
7. Difficulty in interpersonal relations.

3. Family Background
The kinds of personality disturbances found in some young addicts and heads cannot, in
the current state of knowledge, be identified as brain damage or schizophrenia. It is more in the
manner of character disorder. And the behavior may be the result of inadequate socialization,
condition of child rearing and family interaction. The few available facts about families of young
abuser lend credence to this idea.
In one broad study of New York's high addiction areas, the families of adolescent
narcotics users showed the following characteristics:
1. Absent or weak father
2. Overprotective, overindulgent and domineering mother
3. Inconsistent standards of behavior, lack of definition of limits
4. Hostility or conflict between parents
5. Unrealistic aspiration for children

D. The Psycho-Social Factors

1. Personality Disorder- Drug abuse is a manifestation of an underlying character of personality
disorder. Thus, majority of the drug users are fundamentally

2. Social Disorder - A sign or symptom of family problem involving parent — child relationship,
peer pressures, unethical values.

Drugs use does not also occur in isolation of other environmental factors but rather, is
greatly influenced by these factors. Some of the sociological factors also influenced drug use is as
high toll.
a. Availability of over-the counter and prescription drugs variety of drugs available for
different ailments.
b. Influence of media-advertisement message that all ailment can be cured through the use
of chemical substances toward messages and help to create the acceptance of drugs.
c. Impact of affluent lifestyle or of high employment.
d. Effect of increased travel and exposure to different culture and social values
e. Modeling, if parents or key influence are drug users, young people often tend to model
the behavior they are at home.

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 f. Social pressures exerted by peers
g. Collapse of religious values
h. Alienation and enemies feeling of powerless
i. Lower value on academic achievement
E. Other Factors
1. Ignorance, curiosity
2. Laxity of government and other authorities
3. Mass media influence
4. Nature of society resulting in the increased violent behavior for youth.

F. The 7 Deadly Sins - Primary Causes of Drug Abuse

1. Pride — excessive feeling of self-worth or self-esteem, sense of self-importance.
2. Anger- unexpressed, deep-seated anger against
himself, his family, his friends or the society in general.
3. Lust — burning sexual desire can distort the human mind to drug abuse.
4. Gluttony — "food trip" in the lingo of junkies
5. Greed — wealth, fame, recognition as exemplified by people under pressure in their
work of art, such as musicians, actors, athletes who indulge in drug abuse.
6. Envy — to get attention from someone: as a sign of protest envy is a major cause of drug
abuse.

7. Laziness —" I can't syndrome", incapacity to achieve — the breeding ground of drug abuse.
Boredom coupled with poor self-image.

How Addiction is acquired?

People have generally different motivation in life. The young ones are very much adventurous
and some of them have strong attraction in drug-taking, because these "Space are era belongs to them so
to speak, thus, the "IN" thing these days are drugs. To see drug abusers around seemed to be of a
common sight.
The drug habit is acquired in three ways:
1. Association
2. Experimentation
3. Inexperienced doctors
Likewise, addiction may be acquired through:
1.
Habituation — closely related to euphoric effect, and the relief of pain or emotional
discomfort.
2.
Toleration — the necessity to increase the dose to obtain an effect equivalent to the original dose.
3.
Dependence — the altered physiological state brought about by the repeated administration of the
drug, which necessitates the continued use of the drug to avoid withdrawal syndrome.
What are the Group Classifications of Drug Abusers?
1. Situational Users — those who use drugs to keep them awake or for additional energy
to perform an important work. Such individual may or may not exhibit psychological
dependence.
2. Spree Users — school age users who take drugs for "kicks', an adventurous daring
experience, or as a means of fun. There may be some degree of psychological
dependence but little physical dependence due to the mixed pattern of use.
3. Hard Core Addicts — those, whose activities revolve almost entirely around the drug
experience and securing supplies. They show strong psychological dependence on the
drug.
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 4. Hippies — those who are addicted to drugs believing that drug is an integral part of life.

VICE AND DRUG EDUCATION AND CONTROL

Set 2

DETECTION OF DRUG ABUSERS

Detecting a drug user is not an easy task. The signs and symptoms of drug abuse,
especially in the beginning stages can be identical to those produced by conditions having nothing
whatsoever to do with drugs.
It is always necessary to exercise certain prudence before drawing conclusions. Some
judgments may only hurt the individual; if he is innocent and one may lose his love and trust.
Only after observing calmly and patiently his behavior' appearance and associations, may one pass
judgment and act.
To detect a drug abuser, one should observe the following:

1. diminished drive, lack of ambition

2. reduced attention span
3. poor quality of school work
4. impaired communication skills
5. less care for the feeling of others, lessening of accustomed family warmth
6. pale face, red eyes, dilation or constricted pupils, wearing sunglasses at wrong places
7. change from active to passive and withdrawn behavior
8. secretive about money, disappearance of money and other valuables from the house
9. friends refusing to identify themselves or hang up when you answer the phone
10. over reaction to mild conditions
11. smell of marijuana, sweetish odor, like a burned rope in the clothes or room, etc.
12. symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, muscular aches, insomnia and convulsions,
etc.
13. presence of:
a. butt from marijuana joint
b. holders (i.e. pipe clips) for the joint
c. presence of leaves, seeds in pockets or lining
d. rolling paper, pipes, "bong" in closet or pocket
e. cough syrup bottles, capsules, syringes, etc.
f. visines or Eye-Mo bottles to treat red eyes g. devices for hiding drugs like trash cans,
soft drinks bottles
h. presence of other pills like valium, artane, other tranquilizers
i. presence of physician's prescription pad in blank form:

IDENTIFICATION OF DRUG ABUSER

The following markers can help in identifying them:

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 1. Change in interest — they lose interest in their studies and in their work. They fail in
school, shift from one course to another, transfer of school of lower standard until
eventually drop out.
2. Frequent shifting of mood — they are euphoric, elated and sometimes even ecstatic
when under the influence of drugs. They would be indifferent, irritable and even hostile
when the effect of drug is waning from the system.
3. Changes in behavior — they usually spend a lot. They are usually in the company of
known drug users in the community. They come home late; they become disrespectful and
would sell personal or family valuables.
4. Changes in physical appearance — if they can be seen while still under the influence of
drugs the following can be noted:
The following can also help in identifying drug abusers.
a. They know the lingo of the abusers, i.e. OMAD.
Chongki, Bitin, etc.
b. Presence of linear scar in the arms, forearms and abdomen.
c. Lobule of left ear punctured and some of the males even wear earrings.
PROCESS OF DETECTING DRUG ABUSERS

The detection of drug abuse involves five processes namely:

a. Observation
b. History taking
c. Laboratory examination
d. Psychological examination
e. Psychiatric evaluation
1. OBSERVATION
Observations of the signs and symptoms of drug abuse may take relatively a long period of
time. Good sensory equipment and a high degree of objectivity are two requirements for a good
observer. To be an effective observer, the observer should not let his own personal judgements
and reactions affect his observations. He should exercise care in his observation such that the
suspected drug abuser is not made aware of being observed.

2. HISTORY TAKING
A. Collateral Information (Interview with information)
The best information is from the patient himself, but collateral information is
necessary. Ideally, a parent or close relative or a close friend should be present to furnish useful
details as to the different changes observed in the patient that made them suspect the subject is
abusing drugs. These changes may be in his appearance, behavior, mood, or interest.

Added information
1. If subject's "barkadas" are also known drug abusers in the community.
2. He knows the language of drug dependents.
3. Seeing in his room, books or in his belongings or in his possession empty bottles of
cough syrups, empty medicine foils, MJ sticks or rolling paper.
B. Interview with patient
Inquire regarding the drugs being abused, onset of his drug taking activity, reason for abusing drugs, how he
supports his vice, etc.

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 3. LABORATORY EXAMINATION
Accurate laboratory examinations cannot be performed by any ordinary chemist since
detection of dangerous drugs requires sophisticated equipment and apparatus, special chemical reagents
and most of all, the specialized technical know-how.

4. PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION
This phase of drug detection requires the expertise of trained psychologists. Teachers therefore are not in a
position to administer psychological examinations among their students. Psychological examination findings will
correspond to the general findings of a drug prone individual:
--drowsy or lethargic appearance accompanied by scratching and without alcoholic breath, tendency to giggle
excessively at things which others don't consider funny, and over-active and over talkative

5. PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
a. Intelligence Test — the test is designed to cover a wide variety of mental functions with
special emphasis on adjustment comprehension and reasoning.
b. Personality Test — this type of test is used to evaluate the character and personality traits
of an individual such as his emotional adjustment, interpersonal relation, motivation and
attitude.
c. Aptitude Test — this test is to measure the readiness with which the individual increases
his knowledge and improves skills when given the necessary opportunity and training.
d. Interest Test this is designed to reveal the field Of interest that a client will be interested in.
e. Psychiatric Evaluation it is a process whereby a team of professionals composed of
psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers conduct an examination to determine
whether or not a patient is suffering from psychiatric disorder.

practical Ways of Recognizing the Drug Addict

A drug abuser will do everything possible to conceal
his habit. To be able to recognize the outward signs and symptoms, it is equally important to realize
that the drug problems are so complex. Even expert advice not to judge abruptly an individual
taking narcotics drug as it could lead to falsely accusing an innocent person.
It should also be remembered that a person might have a legitimate reason for possessing
a tablets, syringe and needle (may be a diabetic) having capsules (they may prescribe by doctor).
Having the sniffles and running eyes may due to head cold or an allerU. Unusual or add behavior
may not be connected in any way with drug use.

Based on the lecture of U.S experts doctor of medicine, Forensic chemist at the London
International Police academy usually detect drugs abusers without too much trouble by means of
the following:

1. Presence of drug on the person — which he may try to conceal.

2. Presence of equipment for smoking, drinking or injection of drugs.

3. Presence of hypodermic needle marks or tracks on arms and on various parts of the body.

4. Drug test on blood and Urinalysis

5. Drug intoxication in the absence of alcoholic smell. It is indicated by:

a. dilation or contraction of the pupils

b. unsteady gait and incoherent speech

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 c. loose mental processes, drowsiness and itching

d. tendency to laugh at trivial

e. Withdrawal symptoms
6. Nalline test indicates an opiate addict.
A small dose (3 mg.) of nalline is injected into the body of the suspect. The size of the
pupil of the suspect is measured before and after the injection. An addict will show
appreciable dilation of the pupil. The drug has practically no effect on nonaddicts.

I: 291

The General Profile of Drug Abusers

The data may help one in understanding drug abusers in the Philippines.
As to: The Profile

Age
Mean age of 26 years (since 1996), 27 yrs (1999)
Sex Ratio of male to female remained 12: 1
Civil Status Single (55.78%)
Married (32.58%)
Separated 4.43%

Family Size Three to four siblings in the family

Occupation Workers/ Employees (42.51%)
Unemployed (21.75%) Self-
Empioyed (12.58%) Students
(12.16%)
Out-of-School Youth (3.68%)

Educational High school level (27.77%)

Attainment College level (27.07%)
High School Graduate (22.77%)

Economic Status Average monthly income of P5,290

Place of Urban
Residence

Duration of Drug Taking More than two years

I.Q Average

Nature of Drug Taking Monodrug use

Drugs of Abuse Shabu; Marijuana

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 Actual Outward Physical Signs/ Symptoms of Drug Abusers:
The actual profile of an abuser of narcotic drugs may show some of the following manifestations.
1. Admission of the addict himself.
2. Consistently wear long-sleeved shirt or blouses, dark eyeglasses unlikely times to hide
dilated or constricted pupils of eyes.
3. Blood spots around elbow areas of blouses shirt or pajamas.
4. Walk, talk and act as if under alcoholic influence.
5. Prolonged period of sleep or letharU, abnormal sleepless, nervous, jumpy and talkative.
6. School works deteriorates (grades and homeworks)
7. Work habits, become slip-shod, too many emotional explosions, loss body weight., abnormal
bowel habits, blood-shot eyes.
8. Sloppy in dress and careless in bodily hygiene, inordinate desire for consumption of sweets.
Unusual odor in the house or room (marijuana, hash, or incense)

9. Develop defiant or contemptuous attitudes towards authority (Parents, Teachers, Police,

Etc.) constant demand for ever-increasing amount of money.
10. Takes money from everyone and fails to repay, steel and sells all possible items of value
from home or elsewhere when opportunity comes.
11. Receives or makes numerous phone calls to people who are unknown in the house.
Associates only with people who have the reputation for playing with using drugs.
1
2. Persistently lies when asked to explain in expected knock on the door.
13. Unrealistic attitudes, having difficult of concentration.
The Personality Profile of a Filipino Drug Abuser

1. They are of average or above average intelligence

2. They are witty and manipulative

3. They have negative attitude, they demonstrate hostile feelings to the world or to anybody who does
not want to conform to what they want.

4. They are emotionally immature, selfish and demanding.

5. They want immediate gratification of needs and desires.

6. They have low frustration tolerance.

7. Their interest and aptitude are on dramatics, persuasive and musical field in that order.

8. They are depressed and excessively dependent.

9. They are rebellious and have impulsive behavior.

10. They are pleasure seeker and pathologically liars

11. They like to join anti social groups/ delinquent groups.
12. They have difficulty in solving problems.
3. The purpose of trafficking is always exploitation
Note:
 Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation or the
prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or
services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or removal of
organs.

Commonly Identified Form of Human Trafficking

1. Sexual exploitation

2. Forced labor

3. Domestic servitude and forced marriage;

4. Organ removal; and

5. Exploitation of children in begging, the sex trade and warfare

Modalities of Trafficking

1. Recruitment: Methods vary, but usually involve deception or

coercion. Generally, traffickers target persons in harsh living conditions with limited
educational and professional opportunities.

2. Transportation:
documentation, Traffickers
bribing officials, facilitate travel
as required. including
Depending help
on the withand
region border
the potential

financial gain, various modes of transportation are used, including via the sea.
3. Control and Exploitation: This is part of the trafficking scheme. Upon arrival of the
country of transit and
destination, victims may times are compelled into slavelike working conditions, and
trafficked women and children are often forced into prostitution. They are kept in debt
bondage, obliged to pay back heavy debt arising out of the cost of transport of fake
documents, and often have their passport and money confiscated in order to control their
movements. Women have been found up in brothels. In many cases, victims of trafficking and
even their relativeS back home are subjected to physical threats and violence.