COMPREHENSIVE

DRUG EDUCATION
AND VICE
CONTROL
CHAPTER 1
The Drug Situation in the
Philippines
 No community in the Philippines has escaped
the problems of illicit drug use. Despite years
of suppression efforts by all levels of
government and by numerous anti-drug
organizations, the cycle of drug use continues.
 Moreover, our law enforcement agencies do
not have the resources and skills to do more
than apprehend the “street pushers” and the
individual drug users.
 According to a recent Social Weather Stations
survey, drug addiction is the second most
alarming crime problem in the country
today, next to the crime rate and because of
its pernicious effects on society, 70% of the
public support the reimposition of the death
penalty for drug trafficking.

 In 1972, there were only 20,000 drug users.

 After 25 Years, 1.7 million drug user who are

potential crime time bombs.
 Out of 17 million youth population, roughly
1.2 million are drug users.

 7 % of the youth, ages 15-29 are hooked

with drugs.

 These findings point out the glaring fact that

our young adults are the main victims of the
drugs and that 95% of them are using
METAMPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE
known as the “SHABU”.
Anti-Drug Laws and Strategies

 R.A No. 6425, also known as The Dangerous

Drugs Act of 1972.
 Average age was 18 years old and the
majority were single drug users.
 The main drugs of abuse then were
Marijuana, Valium, Mercodol, Mogadon,
Modrax, Heroin, and various cough
preparations.
 By 1980, the number of users increased to
250,000.

 In 1981, the rise of drug abuse continued.

Marijuana abuse accounted for 97% of this.
By this time, there were around 312,000 drug
users.

 In 1983, there were 343,750 drug users and

more non-government organizations started
to assist the government’s demand reduction
program.
 In 1986, majority of drug users belonged to
the 15-to-24 age group. Drug user population
increased to 450,000. Arrest and seizures
were doubled due to intensified efforts of
drug law enforcement agencies.

 The year 1987 saw the emergence of

methamphetamine hydrochloride or
“shabu” as the most abused drugs.
 The Philippine Constitution of 1987 abolished
the death penalty under R.A No. 6425.

 In 1988, statistics showed there were 480,000

drug users in the Philippines, 70% of whom
were in Metro Manila.

 The death penalty was restored on December

13, 1993.
 And it was again suspended via R.A No. 9346
which was signed by Pres. Arroyo 0n June
24,2006
 Since 1972, the government relied solely on
the antiquated Republic Act No. 6425, as
amended. The Dangerous Drugs Law of
1972, was amended in November 1972, and
three times more in 1980, 1982 and 1993. On
the contrary, it emboldened the latter by
putting a premium on the quantity of the
drug seized and not on the criminal act and
intent of the drug trafficker as the
determinant for punishment.
Assessment of the Drug
Problem
 The government’s efforts at preventive education and
information, treatment and rehabilitation, gained
headway. However, it failed to convert public
awareness into a commitment and concrete action to
fight the drug problem.
 The drug menace is a global problem. The
government however, has failed to maximize the
potentials of international cooperation and
coordination as main strategies for fighting drug
abuse. This is evident in the lack of international
networks or narcotics attaches in “source countries”.
CHAPTER 2

DRUGS
AND
CAUSES OF
DEPENDENCE
HISTORY OF DRUG ABUSE
 The use of chemical substances that alter
physiological and psychological functions
dates back to the old stone age.
 By 1600 BC, an Egyptian reference work
listed opium as an analgesic, or painkiller.
 Cannabis, the hemp plant from which
marijuana and hashish are derived, also has a
5000 year history.
 During world war I and II, the use of injectible
morphine to ease the pain of battle casualties
was so extensive that morphine addiction
among veterans came to be known as the
soldier’s disease.
 In 1998, Bayer Drug Company in Germany
introduced a new opiate, supposedly a non-
addictive substitute for morphine. It came out
under the trade name “heroin”, yet it proved
to be more addictive than morphine.
 1869- when cocaine was isolated from coca
leaf, it too was used for medicinal purposes.
 Its popularity spread and soon it was used in
other products, and the most famous of all,
Coca-cola, which was made with coca until
1903.
 Abuse of marijuana began to arouse public
concern during 1930’s in other foreign
countries.
 As the drugs being abused, the public
became increasingly aware of the dangers of
drug abuse.
Definition of “Drug”

 Drug is any chemical substance that by virtue

of its chemical nature alters the structure and
functioning of a living organism.

ARE ALL DRUGS HARMFUL?

 Any drug maybe harmful when abused. The
fact that many drugs will produce beneficial
results has led to some people that drugs will
solve all problems.
SEVEN CATEGORIES OF DRUGS
1. Herbal Drugs
These are plant substances that have drug
effects and whose use is not generally
regulated by law. These substances generally
require little processing after the plants are
gathered.
2. Over-the-counter Drugs
These are commercially produced drugs that
can be purchased legally without prescriptions.
These drugs are known as “proprietary drugs”.
3. Prescription Drugs
These are commercially produced drugs that
can be legally sold or dispensed only by a
physician or on a physician’s orders.
4. Unrecognized Drugs
These are commercial products that have
psychoactive drug effects but are not usually
considered drugs. These substances are not
generally regulated by law except insofar as
standards of sanitation and purity are
required.
5. Illicit drugs
These drugs whose sale, purchase or use is generally
prohibited by law.
6. Tobacco
This is not generally considered a drug and can thus
be classified as an unrecognized drug. Tobacco,
however, holds such a distinct position in terms of
usage patterns, economic importance and health
consequences that it merits a category by itself.
7. Alcohol
Alcohol seems to merit its own category, although it
too could be included in the unrecognized drugs
category.
Four Pharmacological
Classification of Drugs
1. Hallucinogens
-are drugs capable of provoking sensation,
thinking, self-awareness and emotion. The
results are very variable, a good trip or a bad
trip may occur in the same person on
different occasions.
Examples:
LSD, Mescaline, Marijuana are some of the
most popular hallucinogens.
2. Stimulants
These are drugs which increase alertness,
reduce hunger and provide a feeling of well-
being.
Examples: Cocaine and Amphetamines
3. Depressants
These are drugs which decrease or depress
body functions and nerve activity.
Examples: Sedatives, hypnotics, and
tranquilizers
4. Narcotics
These are drugs which produce insensitivity,
Stupor, melancholy or dullness of mind with
delusions.
Examples:
Opium, Heroin, Codeine and Morphine
Routes of Drug
Administration
1. Oral Ingestion
The Drug is taken by the mouth ad must pass
through the stomach before being absorbed into
the bloodstream. This is one of the most
common ways of taking drugs.
2. Inhalation
A drug in gaseous form enters the lungs and is
quickly absorbed by the capillary system. It is
probably the second commonly-used route of
drug administration.
3. Injection
Drugs can be administered by the use of syringe
or hypodermic needle into the following ways:
a. Subcontaneous (SC)
A drug is administered by injecting the drug just
below the surface of the skin. This is
sometimes called skin popping.
b. Intramuscular (IM)
Administration involves the injection of a drug
into a large muscle mass that has a good
blood supply, such as the gluteus maximus,
quadriceps, or triceps.
c. Intravenous (IV)
The most efficient means of administration
which involves depositing a drug into the
bloodstream. It is the most rapid method of
drug administration.
d. Intradermal (ID)
Injection of a drug into the dermis. Located
between epidermis and hypodermis.
4. Snorting
Inhalation through the nose of drugs not in gaseous form.
It is done by inhaling a powder of a liquid drug into the
nasal coats of the mucous membrane.
5. Buccal
The drug is administered by placing it into the buccal
cavity just under the lips. The active ingredients of the
drug are absorbed into the bloodstream through the
soft tissues lining the mouth.
6. Suppositories
The drug is administered through the vagina or rectum in
suppository form and the drug is also absorbed into the
blood stream.
Motivating Factors of Drug
Use
 Drug use is motivated by the following
factors:
-to attain some degree of euphoria
-for increased enjoyment of other activities
-as a recreational pursuit
Levels of Drug-Taking

1. Drug use
It occurs when the effects of the drugs sought to be
realized with minimal hazards, whether or not
used therapeutically, legally or as prescribed by a
physician.
2. Drug Misuse
It occurs when a drug is taken or administered under
circumstances and a dose that significantly
increases the hazards to the individual or to
others.
3. Drug Abuse
It occurs when a drug is taken under
circumstances and at a dose that significantly
increases their hazards or potentials whether
or not used therapeutically.
General Patterns of Drug-
Taking
1. Circumstantial-Situational Use
Drug-taking on a short term basis as a way of
coping with some immediate distress or
pressure.
2. Experimental Use
It implies short term use of one variety of drugs,
either singly or in combination. Curiosity to
experience something new, or peer pressure are
the major motivations for experimental drug
use.
3. Social Recreational Use
Very similar to experimental use of drugs. Although
this type of use tend not to escalate to other uses,
it is more patterned than experimental drug use.
4. Intensified Use
Implies the regular and long-term consumption of a
drug or series of drugs by an individual to achieve
relief from persistent problems or stressful
situations.
5. Compulsive Use
It is characterized by diminished social integration
and functioning. It has escalated to the point
where the reduction in the intensity will be
accompanied by increasing discomfort on the part
of the individual.
Social Factors That Help
Determine the Levels And
Patterns of Drug-Taking
1. Information
Friends and relatives may offer information on
situations in which certain substances may
be used for specific purposes.
2. Example
The occasional user may learn by watching
behavior of peers.
3. Ideology
Participating in drug using groups provide
supporting ideologies that neutralizes some
of the negative opinions.
4.Opportunity
The more people there are in the environment
who use drugs on a legal basis, the more
likely that opportunities to use them will
arise.
The Term “Dependence”

 Originally, the term used popularly to

describe dependence on drugs was drug
addiction and was replaced by the WORD
TRADE ORGANIZATION (WHO).
 Drug dependence has been a common
problem not only in large urban areas but
even in the remotest part of the country.
Definition of “Drug
Dependence
 It is a state of psychic or physical dependence
or both, on a drug arising in a person
following administration of drugs o a periodic
or continuous basis.
Physical Dependence
It is a result when a drug has been used for a
long period of time. It is only identified when
a characteristic withdrawal or abstinence
syndrome occurs after its use is discontinued.
Psychological Dependence
It refers to a state in which an individual has a
compulsion to take a drug, but one in which
there may not be a physical dependence.
Drug Habituation
It is a condition resulting from the repeated
consumption of a drug.
Characteristics of Drug Habituation
1.A desire but not compulsion to continue taking
the drug for the sense of improved well-being it
engenders.
2. Little or no tendency to increase dose.
3. Some degree of psychic dependence on the
effects of drugs but absence of physical
dependence and hence, of abstinence syndrome.
4. Detrimental effects if any, primarily on the
individual.
Drug Addiction
 Is a state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced
by the repeated consumption of a drug, natural or
synthetic.

Characteristics of Drug Addiction

1. An overpowering need , compulsion, to continue
taking the drug and obtain it by any means.
2. A tendency to increase dose or tolerance.
3. A Psychic or psychological and generally a physical
dependence on drug.
4. A detrimental effect on the individual and on society.
Reasons Why People Turn to
Drugs
1. Poverty
This is the most prevalent factor that prompts
pushers and abusers alike to indulge in
dangerous drugs.
2. Ignorance
Lack of knowledge and information about how
dangerous drugs look like, their bad effects,
consequences.
3. Loss of Family Values and Solidarity
Parents who are busybodies, neglect their
children. Western influences (through the
media) have eroded the Filipino values of
praying and eating together.
4. Various Factors
Curiosity, peer-pressure, environmental
influences, boredom, frustration, and the
desire to escape reality are some factors that
help people turn to drugs.
Contributory Factors to Drug
Abuse
1. Family Aspect
Following elements tend to contribute to the drug
use behavior:
 Escaped from strict parents
 lack of communication bet. parents and
children.
 Parents frequently quarrelling in the children’s
presence.
 Very busy parents
 Rejected children
2. School Aspect
The school also tends to the drug problem
because of the following reasons:
 No basic drug education
 Teachers have not acquired the necessary
knowledge and strategies on drug education
 Teachers are not sensitive to the needs and
problems of their students.
 Teachers are often concerned only with the
academic achievements
 Teachers are not aware of the personal and
psychological conflicts of their students.
3. Community Aspect
The most influential aspect in upbringing the youth
is the Environment.
Reasons:
 Drugs are easily available in the community.
 Increasing numbers and pushers in the
community.
 Unavailability of sports and recreational facilities.
 No vocational or skill training for out of school
youth.
 Indifference or apathy of community members to
support and cooperate to law enforcement.
4. Influence made by the Media
The media plays an important role in
influencing and corrupting the minds of the
youth.
Reasons:
 Sensational treatment of drug abuse
problem.
 Heavy advertising of curative and therapeutic
effects of drugs.
5. Biological Factors
Some individuals health condition like fatigue,
chronic cough, insomnia, physical distress and
mental disorders are usually relieved by drugs.
6. Psychological Factors
Psychological conflicts that contribute to drug use
include:
 low self-esteem and poor self-image
 Need for acceptance and belonging
 The need for freedom and autonomy from
parents
 Attention-getting, mental problems and escape
from reality.
7. Parental Neglect
Technology, computerization and the fast pace of
globalization:
 Domineering parents
 Lack of parental concern and closeness
 Parental permissiveness
 Rejection by parents
 Parental Abuse
 Family Instability
 Physical abuse
 Childhood stress and trauma
 Lack of parental guidance
8. Sociological Factors
 The availability of over the counter and
prescription drugs.
 Influences made by media
 Impact of the influent lifestyle
 High unemployment problem
 Loss of religious and social values