Lesson 7: Drug Education

• Legal Bases of Drug Education


  Republic Act (R.A.) 9165
• Republic Act (R.A.) 9165 - an act instituting Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. It serves as guide in implementation of dangerous drug prevention and control in the country. It guides approach towards issues geared against drug activities
• Drug - a substance that affects the function of living cells, used in medicine to diagnose, cure, prevent the occurrence of diseases and disorders and prolong the life of patients with incurable conditions.
• Drug


  effective products such as antibiotics and vaccines has increased

  the average Filipino’s life span from about 60-75 years and it vastly

  improved the quality of life, and contributed to the eradication of once

  widespread and fatal diseases such as polio and smallpox.
• Drug Abuse - -is the overuse of a drug without due regard to accepted medical practice resulting in the individual’s physical, mental, emotional

  or behavioral impairment.
• Drug Dependence - -is a compulsive behavior brought about by drug abuse.
• Drug User - is another term for “drug addict” which refers to an individual who is dependent on drugs.
• Common Signs of Drug Abuse

  • Changes in Behavior
  • Unusual Behavior
  • Unpleasant Behavior
• Changes in Behavior

  • Change in attendance at work or school.
  • Change from normal capabilities (work, habits, efficiency, etc.)
  • Poor physical appearance, including attention to dress and personal hygiene.
• Unusual Behavior

  • Constant wearing of sunglasses at inappropriate times (for instance, indoors or at night not only to hide dilute or constricted pupils but also to compensate the eyes’ inability to adjust to sunlight). Marijuana causes bloodshot eyes.
  • Unusual effort made to cover arms in order to hide needle marks.
• Unpleasant Behavior

  • Association with known drug abusers.
  • Stealing items that can be readily sold for cash (to support a drug habit).
  • Change in mood, depending on the drug taken.
• Alcohol Liquor - A dangerous chemical substance that triggers the central nervous system and may damage vital human organs.
• Marijuana - Annual plant that grows wild in many temperate parts of the world.
• Stimulants - Drugs used to increase mental activity, relative fatigue, increase alertness and offset drowsiness..
• Cough Syrups - Also called over the counter colds/cough preparations.
• Inhalants - are volatile substances derived from ether or chloroform. It is an

  inhalator through the nose to experience intoxication. Recently, inhalation of

  different substances known as “glue sniffing” has become popular among young

  people in their early teens.
• Effects of Alcohol Use

  • Give a feeling of relaxation and loss of inhibition

  • A sense of excitement due to the release of inhibitions

  • Disrupted motor activity, motor skills and coordination

  • Deep intoxication that causes disturbance in bodily processes

  • Dilated superficial blood vessels causing warm feeling

  • Deep intoxication that can lead to “coma” and “death”

  • Warning consciousness, causing mental dullness

  • Loss of self-control resulting in violent behavior
• Effects of Marijuana

  • Throat intoxication and coughing

  • Increased heartbeat and pulse rate

  • Reddening of the eyes, dizziness, bodily incoordination

  • Sleepiness and decreased physical activity

  • Possible chronic bronchitis and asthma

  • Feeling of excitement and friendliness

  • Distortion of time and space perception

  • Disturbance of brainwave activity, causing of impairment of skills leading to

  abnormal behavior
• Stimulants

  • Amphetamines
  • Cocaine
  • Shabu (methamphetamine, HCL)
• Effects of Stimulants

  • Feeling of being stronger, more decisive and self-possessed

  • Extended wakefulness and increased mental alertness

  • May include irritability, anxiety and fear

  • Loss of appetite resulting in decreased body weight

  • Pregnant women who abused “shabu” can cause mental retardation to their

  unborn babies

  • Loss of sexual desire and interest towards work
• Schizophrenia - or split personality, leading to violent behavior
• Effects of Stimulants

  • Loss of memory by chronic users

  • Chronic snorters from irritation of the nose leading to frequent nose bleeding

  • Injecting “shabu” using dirty needles can lead to various infections such as

  Hepatitis B, blood poisoning and AIDS
• Cough Syrups - are also called over the counter colds/cough preparations.
• Cough syrups

  1. Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine and phenylproppanolamine for nasal decongestion.
  2. Clorophenamine maleate for allergic asthma, nocturnal cough.
  3. Dextromethorphan is cough suppressant; codeine has an anti-tussive effect
• Depressants - are usually known as “downers”. These drugs act on the nervous

  system, promoting relaxation and sleep.
• Depressants

  1. Barbiturates
  2. Mathaqualone
• Effects of Depressants

  A usual dose of barbiturates causing a calming, relaxing effect that promotes

  sleep. Other notable reactions are given.

  • Relief of anxiety and excitement

  • Reduce mental and physical activity

  • A marked decreased in breathing
• Barbiturates are used to reduce the frequency of convulsions in epileptics. An

  overdose of barbiturate produces the following reactions.
• Barbiturates

  • Unconsciousness and decrease in breathing

  • Deepening unconsciousness leading to “coma”
• Hallucinogens (Psychedelics) are drugs that can produce changes in mood

  and behavior. They can produce delusions and hallucinations. They induce a

  state of excitation of the central nervous system, shown by changes in mood.
• Hallucinogens disorient the sense of direction, distance and time of a person.

  A user may speak of “hearing” colors, “seeing” sounds.
• Hallucinogens (Psychedelics)

  a) Mescaline

  b) LSD

  c) Psilocybin

  d) Phencyclidine
• Effects of Hallucinogens

  • Increased heartbeat and pulse rate

  • Elevated or increased blood pressure

  • Increase activity of the body due to the effect of the brain

  • Enlarged or dilated pupils of the eyes

  • Increased body temperature

  • Paleness of the face and skin of the body
• Tranquilizer is a drug used to treat nervous disorders, calm psychotic patients.

  They are not habit-forming but when taken in large numbers will produce deep

  unconsciousness, a drop in blood pressure and finally respiration stops leading top

  death.
• Tranquilizer

  While the margin of safety associated with these drugs is considerable, overdose

  can occur and continuous use can lead to dependence.

  a)Meprobamate

  b) Diazepam
• Effects of Tranquilizer

  • Physical weakness and sleepiness

  • Induced mental and psychological dullness

  • It calms the nerves and relieves tension and anxiety

  • Overdose can lead to “coma”, respiratory failure and death
• Narcotics, in medicine, refer to opium, morphine, codeine, heroin and hydromorphone.
• Effects of Narcotics

  • Reduced size of the pupils of the eyes and reduced vision

  • Drowsiness and decreased physical activity

  • Nausea, vomiting and difficulty in breathing if taken in larger dosage

  • “Tolerance”, which finally leads to “drug dependence”

  • Induced “come” with slow, shallow respiration

  • Convulsions, followed by the stopping of breathing that can lead to death if

  overdosed
• Inhalants are volatile substances derived from ether or chloroform. It is an

  inhalator through the nose to experience intoxication. Recently, inhalation of

  different substances known as “glue sniffing” has become popular among young

  people in their early teens.
• Inhalants Quick-drying glue or plastic cement, like rugby

  a)Quick-drying glue or plastic cement, like rugby

  b) Paint remover and lacquer, such as thinner and solvent

  c) Gasoline and other gasoline-based products

  d) Kerosene or commonly known as gaas

  e) Nail polish and cuticle remover

  f) Lighter-fluid and dry-cleaning fluid