CDI 7- A Content- based Module for Facilitating Learning
1. Vice
• A vice is a moral failing or a bad habit. Traditional examples of vice include drinking alcohol,
smoking tobacco, and gambling in card games.
2. Drug Abuse
Is when you use legal or illegal substances in ways you shouldn’t. You might take more than the
regular dose of pills or use someone else’s prescription. You may abuse drugs to feel good, ease
stress, or avoid reality. But usually, you’re able to change your unhealthy habits or stop using
altogether.
3. Addiction
• Addiction is when you can’t stop. Not when it puts your health in danger. Not when it causes
financial, emotional, and other problems for you or your loved ones. That urge to get and use
drugs can fill up every minute of the day, even if you want to quit.
R.A No. 9165 - Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
R.A No. 6425 - Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 - the law that was repelled by RA No. 9165.
• 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. In view of the foregoing, the State needs to enhance further the
efficacy of the law against dangerous drugs, it being one of today's more serious social ills.
4. Classification of Drugs according to effect
• Depressant - "downers" - a drug reducing functional or nervous activity. Lower the level of
arousal when taken.
Stimulants - "Uppers" - increase mental and/or physical function. A substance that raises the
levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body.
• Hallucinogens - "psychedelics" - a drug that causes hallucinations. Psychoactive drugs that cause
subjective change in perception, thought, emotion and consciousness.
•
5. Classification of Drugs according to Pharmacology
• Depressants
• Narcotics
• Tranquilizers
• Stimulants
• Hallucinogens
• Solvents/Inhalants
6. Classifications of Drugs according to Legal Categories
• Prohibited Drugs
• Regulated Drugs
• Volatile substances
7. Golden Triangle of Drug Trafficking
• Laos
• Thailand
• Burma
8. The Golden Crescent- (global site for opium production and
distribution)
• Afghanistan
• Pakistan
• Iran
• India
9. Classification of Drug user/Abuser
• Situational user - 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.
• Spree user - school age user who take drugs for "kicks", adventure, daring experience or a
means of fun.
Hard core addicts - those whose activities revolve almost entirely around drug use and securing
supplies. They show strong psychological dependence on the drug.
• Hippies - Those who are addicted to drugs believing that drug is an integral part of life.
•
Commonly abused drugs:
• Sedatives - are depressant drugs which reduce anxiety and excitement such as barbiturates,
tranquilizers and alcohol.
• Stimulants - are drugs which increase alertness and activity such as amphetamine, cocaine and
caffeine.
• Hallucinogen/Psychedelics - drugs which affect sensation, thinking, self- awareness and emotion.
• Narcotics - drugs that relieve pain and often induce sleep. This includes opium and its derivatives
like morphine, codeine and heroin.
• Solvents - volatile substances which are found to be the most commonly abused.
Primary causes of drug addiction:
• Pride - excessive feeling of self- worth or self- esteem or sense of self importance.
• Anger - against, himself, family, friends and society in general.
• Lust - burning sexual desire can distort the human mind to drug abuse.
• Gluttony - "food trip" in the lingo of junkies.
• Greed - wealth, fame, recognition as exemplified by people under pressure in their work of art
such as musician, actors and athletes who indulge in drug abuse.
• Envy - to get attention from someone as sign of protest.
• Laziness - "i can’t syndrome" incapacity to achieve is a breeding ground of drug abuse and
boredom coupled with poor self- image.
Warning Signs of Commonly Abuse Drugs
10. Marijuana
• glassy red eye
• loud talking
• inappropriate laughter followed by sleepiness
• loss of interest, motivation
• weight gain or loss
11. Depressant
• contracted pupils
• drunk-like
• difficulty concentrating
• clumsiness
• poor judgement
12. Stimulants - ex. cocaine, amphetamines
• dilated pupils
• hyperactivity
• euphoria
• irritability
• anxiety
• excessive talking followed by depression or excessive sleeping
• may go long period of time without eating or sleeping
• weight loss
• dry mouth and nose
13. Inhalants - ex. glues, aerosols, vapors
• watery eyes
• impaired vision, memory and thought
• secretions from the nose or rashes around the nose and mouth
• head-aches and nausea
• appearance of intoxication
• drowsiness
• poor muscle control
• changes in appetite
• anxiety
• irritability
• lots of cans, aerosols in the trash
14. Hallucinogens - ex. LSD, PCP- Lysergic acid diethylamide
(LSD), also known colloquially as acid, is a hallucinogenic drug.
Effects typically include altered thoughts, feelings, and awareness of
one's surroundings. Many users have visual or auditory hallucinations
• dilated pupils
• bizarre and irrational behavior including paranoia, aggression, hallucination
• mood swings
• detachment from people
• absorption with self or other objects
• slurred speech
• confusion
15. Heroin
• contracted pupils
• no response of pupils to light
• needle marks
• sleeping at unusual time
• sweating
• vomiting
• coughing, shiffling
• twitching
• loss of appetite
16. Alcohol
• clumsiness
• difficulty walking slurred speech
• sleepiness
• poor judgement
• dilated pupils
• possession of false ID cards
17. Tobacco/Nicotine
• smell of tobacco
• stained fingers or teeth
Analgesic - any drugs such as salicylates, morphine or opiates used primarily for the relief of pain.
Content – based Module for Facilitating Learning
18. A BRIEF HISTORY OF DRUG ABUSE
For thousands of years, humans have used various types of drugs and other intoxicating
substances. For example, the consumption of wine was tracked from the early Egyptians; narcotic
was used by as early as 4000 B.C. However, it was not until 19th century A.D. when the active
substances in drug were extracted for human consumption. This period was follow by newly found
substances, including laudanum morphine, cocaine, all of which were completely unregulated and
freely prescribed by physicians for various ailments. They were available as patent medicines and
sold by traveling salesmen, in drug store, or by mail. During the American Civil War, morphine was
freely used, such that wounded veterans returned home with their morphine kits and hypodermic
needles. With the influx of their soldiers coming home, opium dens flourished around the same time,
and by early 1900’s, there were an estimated 250,000 drug addicts in the United States alone (Drug
Addiction and Drug Abuse, 2012)
Several years afterwards, problems related to addiction were eventually recognized. Legal
protection measures against drug abuse in the US were first established in 1875, the year when
opium dens were finally outlawed in San Francisco California. The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
required that patent medicines containing opium and certain other drugs be labeled accurately. Later
heroin was also completely banned. As a result, the use of narcotics and cocaine became less popular
in the 1920s.
By the 1930s, most US states mandated the inclusions of anti-drug education programs in all
public schools. However, due to lingering fears that knowledge would lead to experimentation, this
initiative was discontinued in most places. After the repeal of Prohibition, the US Drug Enforcement
Administration (Federal Bureau of Narcotics) began a campaign to present marijuana to the public as
a highly addictive substance. In the 1950s, marijuana use saw a surge, along with the increased use of
the other drugs like tranquilizers and amphetamines.
A decade later, the social upheaval of the 1960s in the US saw an dramatic increase in drug
use and some degree of increased social acceptance. In fact, by the early 1970s many states and
localities had lowered drinking ages and even decriminalized marijuana in some places. When the
1980s came, there was a decline in the use of these drugs, but only to be replaced by other more
powerful drugs, such as cocaine, and cracks, became popular. For the first time, the military became
involved in border patrols, and US troops invaded Panama and brought Manuel Noriega, its de facto
leader, to trial for drug trafficking.
In accordance with the public perception, drug laws have also kept pace with the changing
perceptions and dangers of substance abuse. More than 55 federal drug laws and many other state
laws, which were implemented during the 1970s, already specified various punitive measures,
including death penalty and life imprisonment.
Although possession was considered illegal, the most severe penalties were reserved for
illegal distribution and production of drugs. The act handled the prevention and treatment of drug
abuse and aimed to control and manage drug traffic. In relation to this, the Anti-Drug Abuse Acts of
1988 increased funding allocations for drug treatment and rehabilitation. Specifically, the 1988 Act
created task the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and its director is given the task of
coordinating national drug control policies.
19. Motivations for Drug Use
1. For relaxation
2. Stress relief
3. Increased energy levels
4. Peer pressure
5. Pain relief
6. Escapism
7. Increased self-esteem
8. For recreation purposes
20. Worldwide Trends in Illegal Drug Production and Trafficking
Drug use rates throughout Asia remain at low levels, with the annual prevalence rates of
amphetamine-type stimulant ATS ranging between 0.2% and 1.2% of the total adult population.
Prevalence rates for other types of drugs: Opioids; between 0.3% and 0.5%, Cannabis: between 0.1%
to
3.1%, Ecstasy: between 0.1% to 0.7% and Cocaine: 0.05% of the total adult population.
21. Categories of Psychoactive Substances (NPS) sold on the global
market (UNODC 2013)
1. KETAMINE- This is a type of anesthetic used for humans and animals. One of the most
widespread in Asia.
2. PIPERAZINES- Commonly sold as “ecstasy,” these have gained popularity because of their
properties that stimulate the central nervous system.
3. PHENETHYLAMINES- This group has substances related to methamphetamine and
amphetamine. These generally produce stimulants effects. Recently, modified versions of
these compounds have been reported to yield such powerful hallucinogens as Bromo-
Dragonfly.
4. PLANT-BASED SUBSTANCES- Plants with psychoactive properties are commonly included in
this group. Khat (Catha edulis), which is a plant that is native to the African and Arabian
Peninsula. As the users chew the leaves of this plant, this action releases stimulants such as
cathinone and cathin, which are absorbed in the users bloodstream. Kratom (Mitragyna
speciosa), which is a plant indigenous to Southeast Asia. It contains mitragynine, which is an
alkaloid that acts as a stimulant and as a sedative at low and high doses, respectively.
5. SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS- These receptors agonists generate effects that are similar to
thoseof delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol which is the main psychoactive component of
cannabis.
6. SYNTHETIC CATHINONES- These are derivatives and analogues of the internationally
controlled substance known as cathinone, which in turn, is one of the chemically active
components of the khat plant.
7. OTHER SUBSTANCES- Those classified as other substances includes aminoindanes, which act
as stimulants, and tryptamines and phencyclidine-type substances, which act as
hallucinogens.
22. Nine Most Commonly Used Illegal Drugs Worldwide
1. Heroin
2. Crack cocaine
3. Methamphetamine
4. Cocaine
5. Marijuana
6. Ecstasy
7. LSD
8. PCP
9. Psilocybin mushrooms Illicit Drugs Routes
Investigators have uncovered common routes taken by manufactures to transport illicit drugs.
23. THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Known as one two main opium-producing areas in Asia, the Golden Triangle has a size of
approximately 950,00 km, which overlaps the mountain ranges of three Southeast Asia countries,
namely Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar.
Heroin produced in Southeast Asia is brought to the US by courier who prefer to travel via
commercial airlines.
24. THE GOLDEN CRESCENT
The Golden Crescent is another area in Asia where illicit opium production takes place. This
area is primarily located at the crossroads of Western, South, AND Central Asia and overlaps
countries, namely Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Afghanistan are opium producers, while Iran
serves as a transshipment route for these smuggled opiates, aside from being a consumer of such
illegal drugs.
25. ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE IN THE PHILIPPINES
At present, the illegal drug trade in the Philippines is considered a critical national issue, with
methamphetamine hydrochloride also known as SHABU and marijuana as two of the most used and
valued methylenedioxy methamphetamine also known as ECSTASY are also among the list of illegal
drugs that are of great concern to the authorities .
26. Marijuana Production
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that the mountains parts of Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao are very viable marijuana cultivation zones. Marijuana created within the
country is distributed regionally and is additional exported to different countries. The local
distribution of marijuana has increased since 2012 despite the destruction of illegal marijuana
plantations throughout the country.
27. Shabu Production
Since 2010, drug syndicates are manufacturing meth in small-scale and kitchen-type
laboratories to prevent detection by Philippine authorities. Normally, drug syndicates rent warehouse
to be used as their drug laboratories. These syndicates prefer renting houses in private subdivision,
condominiums, and residentials areas where they can establish bases for their illegal drug
production. Private properties have become favorable to drug syndicates as sites of illegal drug
production. Shabu continues to enjoy high demand in ths country than cocaine, which is a more
expensive illegal drug.
28. Factors that contribute to the rampant drug courier problem in
the Philippines
Many Filipinos have fallen victim to syndicates’ promise of love/marriage, as recorded in
many arrests involving Filipina drug couriers. Others were lured by the chance to travel, the promise
of a comfortable life, and/or having a high-paying job easy cash. In other words, the drug courier
problem may also be attributed to these factors:
• Poor educational background
• Rampant poverty
• Unemployment
• Easy money
• Opportunity to travel
29. Commonly Abused Drugs in the Philippines
The commonly abused drugs in the Philippines include shabu, methylene
dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy, marijuana, cocaine, and ephedrine. These are but some
of the ordinarily abused drugs within the Philippines. Recently, the drug problem has reached
alarming proportions. The increasing number of arrested drug traffickers; seizures of huge volumes of
dangerous drug, controlled precursors and essential chemicals; and the dismantlement of clandestine
laboratories since the conceptions of the powerful PDEA show the extent and impact of the drug
trade and drug abuse problem within the Philippines (PCTC, n.d.).
The illegal trade of shabu has grown into a P1 billion-a-day business. However, the drug has
currently become more expensive; thus, it is no longer “the poor man’s cocaine” according to
antinarcotics agents and international drug reports. The current street value of shabu in the country
ranges from P15, 000 to P17, 000 depending on the demographic locations. Such price increase may
be attributed, in part, to the government’s success in dismantling many clandestine laboratories
throughout the country.
The worsening phenomenon of drug addiction in the country is demonstrated by relevant data.
In 1972, there were 20, 000 drug users within the Philippines. In 2004, this figure climbed to an
astounding 6.7 million drug addicts throughout the country. Of all the available illegal substances,
shabu and marijuana are preferred by one in 29 Filipinos aged 10 to 44 years old (PCTC, n.d.).
30. CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS
Classification of Drugs according to their Pharmacological effects
➢ Hallucinogens- these are drugs that affects one’s senses, self- awareness, emotions, and one’s
ability to thinks properly. Hallucinogens cause delusions and hallucinogenic episodes ranging
from mild to overwhelming.
• Ecstasy-its street name includes “ADAM,” “XTC”, Essence
• Lysergic diethylamide (LSD) – LSD is a partially synthetic alkaloid substance that is extracted
from fungus growing on wheat and rye, among other types of grains.
• Mescaline – this is a chemical extracted from the peyote cactus. Peyote buttons have a very
bitter taste, and on average, they have a diameter of 1-2 inches. These brown in color and
look a- like the underside of a mushroom.
• Hashish- (concentrated cannabis) this refers to the concentrated resin that has been
extracted from marijuana using various methods. Hashish is said to be eight to ten times
stronger than commercial grade marijuana.
• Marijuana- commonly called Indian hem, this refers to the dried flowering or fruiting top of
the plant Cannabis Sativa L.
➢ Narcotics- this group of drugs are substances that dull the senses and are thus often used to
induce sleep and/ or relieve pain. The term narcotic is derived from the Greek word “stupor”.
• Opium- this the coagulated juice of the opium poppy (Papaver Somniferum L.) and includes
crude preparations that contain morphine or any alkaloid of opium as an ingredients.
• Heroin- technically known diacetylmorphine (INN), heroin is a semi-synthetic opioid and it is
derived from morphine.
• Speedball- this is a mixture of cocaine and either morphine or heroin.
• Morphine- this is the main active component of the opium plant, Papaver Somniferum. The
term morphine is derived from the name of the Greek god of dreams, “Morpheus”. It comes
with crystalline powder form or sometimes in small white tablets or cubes.
➢ Sedatives- these drugs that can be used to reduced anxiety and excitement.
• Alcohol- it comes in many forms, such as whisky, beer, gin, wine, and brandy.
• Barbiturates- these are made from a kind of barbituric acid commonly known as “barbs”.
➢ Stimulants- these are drugs that enhance the users’ mental and physical condition by
improving alertness and stamina, respectively.
• Amphetamine- this is the stimulant prescribed to relieve minor cases of mental depression,
to minimize ones’ appetite, and to relieve fatigue and sleepiness. (eye opener, pep pills,
uppers)
• Caffeine- this is bitter methylxanthine or alkaloid commonly found in reular beverages, such
as cola, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, cocoa, and some over-the-counter drug.
• Cocaine- this is extracted coca bush leaves. Natives of Andes Mountain chew its leaves to
relieve fatigue when working at high altitudes. Cocaine is white in its pure form and consists
of bright, colorless crystals that look like snow. Cocaine is bitter and odorless, its street name
include “crack,” “coke” “heavens dust” “gold dust”.
• Methamphetamine hydrochloride (locally known as shabu)- shabu is odorless, has a white,
crystalline powder appearance, and has a bitter taste. Also known as poor man’s cocaine, and
has street name “bato”.
➢ Prescription Drugs
• Sedatives- these are used to calm the nerves, reduce tension, and induce sleep.
• Tranquilizers- classified into major and minor tranquilizer.
➢ Street Drugs- Shabu this was originally synthesized from ephedrine extracted from the
ephedra plant by Japanese scientist Dr. Nagayoshi Nagai in 1888. The term “shabu” is a
Japanese word that means “when you use it you will become thin as bone”.
Major Causes of Addiction
31. GENETICS
The link between genetics and addiction remains a topic of strong debate. Reports have found that
40% to 60% of predisposition to addiction is a result of genetics, and furthermore, that the children
of individuals who suffer from addiction have a 25% greater likelihood to also develop addiction
compared to children of non-addicted parents. Researchers are actively searching for an addiction
gene, but it seems more likely that familial trends towards addiction are the result of environmental
factors like exposure and normalisation of drug use.
Gender is also one of the potential causes of addiction or at least predisposition to addiction. While
men have generally been found to have higher rates of addiction than women, a recent study
presented by the American Psychological Association suggests that there are other key differences
worth investigating. This study found that although women begin using substances at much smaller
dosages than men, however, their drug use escalates into addiction much more rapidly than for men.
Women also face a higher rate of relapse than men and are more prone to mood and anxiety
disorders, and therefore, addiction.
32. ENVIRONMENT
The Nature v. Nurture argument is relevant to addiction as well. While genetic predisposition is
possible although has not been conclusively determined, the environment in which we were raised
and continue to thrive in has a huge impact on mental and physical well-being and therefore, is one
of the major causes of addiction.
If drug use is common in the home, an individual may become desensitised to it or normalise it. If
positive results of drug use are witnessed by children (euphoria, partying, having fun, etc.), they
come to understand that using drugs leads to happiness and will naturally want to repeat this
behaviour. The other side of the coin can be equally as problematic, however, in that if children
experience negative effects of drug use (abuse, unemployment, damaged relationships, etc.) they
may become depressed or anxious and turn to drugs as a coping mechanism due to their availability.
33. OUR BRAIN AND BODY
Thus far we have discussed various genetic, environmental, and social influences that may contribute
to the causes of addiction, but we cannot ignore the role the brain and body play in the disease of
addiction. Whenever you eat, have sex, or partake in any activity that contributes to survival, the
brain is flooded with dopamine.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger that signals to the brain that what you are
doing is good and should be repeated. Drugs cause dopamine to be unnaturally released. When an
individual continues to take a drug, the brain will be overwhelmed by the surges of dopamine and
subsequently start producing less and less of it on its own. This is the start of physical dependency – a
condition in which the user has overridden his or her natural dopamine factory and now needs to
continue taking the drug in order to produce dopamine.
Withdrawal is also another bodily effect of drug use that may cause a person to get and remain
hooked on a substance. It is the body’s way of saying, Hey! You told me I needed this for survival (not
true) and now I’m going to do everything I can to make you keep using it The time it takes for the
onset of withdrawal is different for everybody. As a starting point, for most, heroin withdrawal begins
within 12 hours of the last dose and can last a week to up to a few months, while alcohol withdrawal
usually begins between eight and thirty-six hours after drinking and usually lasts a few weeks.
