DRUG

EDUCATION
 LEARNING
OBJECTIVES:
1. BE FAMILIAR OF THE TERMS: DRUG
EDUCATION, DRUG ABUSE, DRUG
DEPENDENCE, DRUG USER, ETC.
2. GIVE THE CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUG
AND THEIR EFFECTS.
3. ENUMERATE THE ROLES OF SCHOOLS,
COMMUNITY AND PARENTS IN
PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE.
4. PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNMENT
CAMPAIGN AGAINST PROHIBITED
DRUGS.
 DRUG EDUCATION
THE NUMBER OF DRUGS USED
TODAY IS VAST AND IS STEADILY
INCREASING AS NEW DRUGS ARE
DEVELOPED AND NEW USES ARE
FOUND FOR OLD DRUGS, SEVERAL
DRUGS STILL USED BY THE DOCTOR
SUCH AS THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLE IN
ASPIRIN, HAVE BEEN USED
CLINICALLY FOR MANY HUNDREDS
OF YEARS.
 DRUG

IT IS 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 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.
IN 1987, THE AMERICAN MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION DECLARED ALL DRUG
DEPENDENCIES TO BE DISEASES. WHEN
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCIES ARE VIEWED
AS DISEASES, THEIR TREATMENT AND
UNDERSTANDING ARE FACILITATED.
SUCH A VIEW ALSO REDUCES THE GUILT
AND BLAME TRADITIONALLY
ASSOCIATED WITH CHEMICAL
DEPENDENCY.
 DRUG USER
IS ANOTHER TERM FOR “DRUG
ADDICT” WHICH REFERS TO AN
INDIVIDUAL WHO IS DEPENDENT ON
CERTAIN DRUG OR DRUGS.
ADDICTION IS A PATHOLOGICAL
PROCESS INVOLVING A COMPULSION
TO USE A PSYCHOACTIVE DRUG, LOSS
OF CONTROL OVER USE OF THE DRUG
AND CONTINUED USE OF THE DRUG
DESPITE ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES
(SMITH ET AL. 1986).
 COMMON SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE
1. CHANGE IN ATTENDANCE AT WORK OR SCHOOL.
2. CHANGE FROM NORMAL CAPABILITIES (WORK HABITS, EFFICIENCY, ETC.)
3. POOR PHYSICAL APPEARANCE, INCLUDING IN ATTENTION TO DRESS AND
PERSONAL HYGIENE.
4. 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.
5. UNUSUAL EFFORT MADE TO COVER ARMS IN ORDER TO HIDE NEEDLE
MARKS.
6. ASSOCIATION WITH KNOWN DRUG ABUSERS.
7. STEALING ITEMS THAT CAN BE READILY SOLD FOR CASH (TO SUPPORT A
DRUG HABIT).
8. CHANGE IN MOOD, DEPENDING ON THE DRUG TAKEN.
CLASSIFICATIONS
OF DRUGS AND
THEIR EFFECTS
1. ALCOHOL LIQUOR

IT IS EXTRACTED FROM
CHEMICAL COMPOUND AS
ETHYL AND HYDROCARBON, IS
A DANGEROUS CHEMICAL
SUBSTANCE THAT TRIGGERS
THE CENTRAL NERVOUS
SYSTEM AND MAY DAMAGE
VITAL HUMAN ORGANS.
 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
2. MARIJUANA
(CANNABIS SATIVA)

IS ANNUAL PLANT THAT

GROWS WILD IN MANY
TEMPERATE PARTS OF THE
WORLD.
 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.
3. STIMULANTS
ARE DRUGS USED TO INCREASE
MENTAL ACTIVITY, RELIEVE
FATIGUE, INCREASE ALERTNESS
AND OFFSET DROWSINESS.
A) AMPHETAMINES
B) COCAINE
C) 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 APETITE RESULTING IN DECREASED BODY WEIGHT
 PREGNANT WOMAN WHO ABUSED “SHABU” CAN CAUSE
MENTAL RETARDATION TO THEIR UNBORN BABIES
 LOSS OF SEXUAL DESIRE AND INTEREST TOWARDS WORK
 EFFECTS OF STIMULANTS
 “SCHIZOPHRENIA” OR SPLIT PERSONALITY,
LEADING TO VIOLENT BEHAVIOR
 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
 4. COUGH SYRUPS
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ARE ALSO CALLED OVER THE COUNTER

COLDS / COUGH PREPARATIONS.
A) EPHEDRINE, PSEUDOEPHEDRINE,
PHENYLEPHRINE AND
PHENYLPROPPANOLAMINE FOR NASAL
DECONGESTION
B) CLOROPHENAMINE MALEATE FOR
ALLERGIC ASTHMA, NOCTURNAL COUGH
C) DEXTROMETHORPHAN IS COUGH
SUPPRESSANT; CODEINE HAS AN ANTI-
TUSSIVE EFFECT
5. DEPRESSANTS
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ARE USUALLY KNOWN AS

“DOWNERS”. THESE DRUGS
ACT ON THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM, PROMOTING
RELAXIATION AND SLEEP
A) BARBITURATES
B) MATHAQUALONE
 EFFECTS OF DEPRESSANTS

A USUAL DOSE OF BARBITURATES CAUSING A CALMING,

RELAXING EFFECT THAT PROMOTES SLEEP. OTHER
NOTICABLE REACTIONS ARE GIVEN.
 RELIEF OF ANXIETY AND EXCITEMENT
 REDUCE MENTAL AND PHISICAL ACTIVITY
 A MARKED DECREASED IN BREATHING
6. BARBITURATES
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ARE USED TO REDUCE THE

FREQUENCY OF CONVULSIONS
IN EPILEPTICS. AN OVERDOSE OF
BARBITURATE PRODUCES THE
FOLLOWING REACTIONS
 UNCONCIOUSNESS AND
DECREASE IN BREATHING
 DEEPENING UNCONCIOUSNESS
LEADING TO “COMA”
7. HALLUCINOGENS
(PSYCHEDELICS)
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ARE DRUGS THAT CAN PRODUCE

CHANGES IN MOOD AND BEHAVIOR. THEY
CAN PRODUCE MOOD.
DELUSIONS ANDHALLUCINOGENS
DISORIENT
HALLUCINATIONS. THEY INDUCETHE SENSE OF DIRECTION,
A STATE
OF EXCITATION DISTANCE
OF THE AND TIME OF A PERSON. A
CENTRAL
NERVOUS SYSTEM, USER
SHOWNMAYBY CHANGES
SPEAK OF “HEARING”
IN MOOD. HALLUCINOGENS DISORIENT
COLORS, “SEEING” SOUNDS.
THE SENSE OF DIRECTION, DISTANCE AND
TIME OF A PERSON. MESCALINE
A USER MAY SPEAK OF
“HEARING” COLORS,LSD
“SEEING” SOUNDS.
A) MESCALINE C) PSILOCYBIN
B) LSD D) PHENCYCLIDINE
 EFFECTS OF HALLUCINOGENS
 INCREASED IN 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
 8. TRANQUILIZER
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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.
WHILE THE MARGIN OF SAFETY
ASSOCIATED WITH THESE DRUGS IS
CONSIDERBLE, 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 Click icon to add picture

IN MEDICINE, REFER TO OPIUM, MORPHINE,

CODEINE, HEROIN AND HYDROMOPHONE.

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
9. INHALANTS Click icon to add picture

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. THESE SUBSTANCES
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
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
 EFFECTS OF INHALANTS
 UNSTEADINESS AND RESTLESSNESS
 DRUNKENNESS WITH DEPRESSION LEADING TO
UNCONSCIOUSNESS
 IRRITABILITY AND HIGHLY AGITATED CONDITION
 INITIAL EXCITEMENT THEREBY LOSING EMOTIONAL CONTROL
 IRRITATION OF THE THROAT AND NASAL PASSAGES. SOMETIMES
INHALANTS CONTAIN TOXIC ELEMENTS THAT ARE HARMFUL TO
THE HEART AND CAN CAUSE SUDDEN DEATH WHEN INHALATED
 WHAT ARE THE REASONS BEHIND THESE DRUGS?

THE MOST COMMON REASON WHY DRUGS ARE ABUSED IS AS

FOLLOWS:
 FOR RELIEF FROM PROBLEMS – PERSONAL, FAMILY, SCHOOL OR
WORK
 TO EXPERIENCE ITS EFFECT ON THE MIND AND BODY
 TO EASE DEPRESSION, BOREDOM, PAIN OR MISERY
 GIVING IN TO PRESSURES FROM “PEERS” OR OTHER DRUG USERS
 FOR CURIOSITY, DUE TO MISINFORMATION FROM ACQUAINTANCES
 FOR SECURITY FEELINGS – WITH DRUGS, THEY HAVE SELF-
CONFIDENCE
SOME OF THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR DRUG ABUSE
DRUG ABUSE MUST BE AVOIDED FROM THE START BEFORE
PROBLEMS SET IN. THERE ARE SEVERAL BASIC WAYS TO DO THIS,
NAMELY:
A. IMPROVEMENT IN FAMILY RELATIONS. THE PARENTS AND
CHILDREN MUST COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER AND
STRENGTHEN THEIR TIES TO COMBAT DRUG ADDICTION;
B. DIRECT AND SINCERE ACTION ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT
TO ADDRESS THE GROWING PROBLEMS OF DRUG ABUSE;
C. CLEAR AND NOTICEABLE REFORMS IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND
ECONOMY TO PROVIDE EVERYONE WITH BRIGHT FUTURE AND
GOOD LIFE;
SOME OF THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR DRUG ABUSE

D. STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF DRUG LAWS AGAINST VIOLATORS

AND TRAFFICKERS;
E. ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEDICATED JUDICIARY SO AS TO
FACILITATE THE DELIVERY OF AID OF VICTIMS OF DRUG ABUSE;
F. COMPLETE “CRACKDOWN” AGAINST DRUG PUSHER AND
SYNDICATES; AND
G. INSTITUTING HEAVY PENALTIES, SPECIFICALLY THE “DEATH
PENALTY” FOR DRUG-RELATED CRIME AND SERIOUS DRUG
VIOLATORS
 ROLES OF SCHOOLS, THE COMMUNITY AND
PARENTS IN PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE
SCHOOL
EVERY SCHOOL MUST FORMULATE A “DRUG POLICY”
DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS AND ALL SCHOOL
PERSONNEL FIGHT DRUG ABUSE. ALSO, THE SCHOOL CAN
INITIATE “DRUG AWARENESS” PROGRAM AND REALISTIC
PREVENTION EFFORTS THAT WILL BENEFIT THE ENTIRE
COMMUNITY. ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE AN ACTIVE PART
IN MAKING THIS PROGRAM A SUCCESS.
 ROLES OF SCHOOLS, THE COMMUNITY AND
PARENTS IN PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE
COMMUNITY
THE COMMUNITY, AS A WHOLE, MUST WORK TOWARD
ERADICATING THE DRUG MENACE BY:
 CONDUCTING AN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN, COOPERATING
WITH AUTHORITIES IN THE ARREST OF THE DRUG PUSHERS;
 HELPING DRUG USERS GET TREATMENT FROM DRUG
REHABILITATION CENTERS, DISMANTLING THE DRUG-
BASED NETWORK EXISTING IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH
POLICE ACTION;
 ROLES OF SCHOOLS, THE COMMUNITY AND
PARENTS IN PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE

 PLANNING A COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM

INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE, CIVIC WELFARE, AND
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN TACKLING THE
DRUG PROBLEM; AND
 ORGANIZING WORTHWHILE AND CONSTRUCTIVE
ACTIVITIES SUCH AS RECREATIONAL, SOCIAL,
AND ECONOMIC PROJECTS THAT WILL SERVE AS A
POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE TO DRUG ABUSE.
 ROLES OF SCHOOLS, THE COMMUNITY AND
PARENTS IN PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE
PARENTS
PARENTS MUST SERVE AS A MODEL TO THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH THE
FOLLOWING:
 IF PARENTS USE MEDICINES IMPROPERLY AND IN LARGE DOSAGES,
CHILDREN WILL IMITATE THIS BAD EXAMPLE. THIS SHOULD BE
AVOIDED.
 PARENTS MUST TEACH THEIR CHILDREN NOT TO USE DRUGS
INDISCRIMINATELY SO AS TO DEVELOP IN THEIR CHILDREN THE
CORRECT ATTITUDE.
 PARENTS SHOULD ADVICE THEIR CHILDREN ON THEIR CHOICE OF
FRIENDS AND INCULCATE THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DRUG ABUSE.
 ROLES OF SCHOOLS, THE COMMUNITY AND
PARENTS IN PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE

 IF PARENTS DISCOVER THEIR SON OR DAUGHTER

IS INTO DRUGS, THEY MUST FACE THE PROBLEM
AND SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP AT ONCE.
 PARENTS MUST CREATE A HAPPY FAMILY LIFE
AND MAINTAIN AN OPEN COMMUNICATION
BETWEEN THEM AND THEIR CHILDREN.
 WHAT ARE SOME PIECES OF HELPFUL AND
TIMELY ADVICE FOR THESE PROBLEM?
 MAINTAIN GOOD PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.
 USE DRUGS PROPERLY. MOST DRUGS ARE BENEFICIAL
WHEN USED UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE.
 UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN SELF. ACCEPT AND RESPECT
YOURSELF FOR WHAT YOU ARE.
 DEVELOP YOUR POTENTIALS. ENGAGE IN WHOLESOME,
PRODUCTIVE AND FULFILLING ACTIVITIES.
 WHAT ARE SOME PIECES OF HELPFUL AND
TIMELY ADVICE FOR THESE PROBLEM?
 LEARN TO RELATE EFFECTIVELY WITH OTHERS.
HAVE SOMEBODY TO WHOM YOU CAN
COMMUNICATE YOUR PROBLEMS AND OTHER
STRESSES WITHOUT THE USE OF DRUGS.
 SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP IF YOU CANNOT COPE
WITH YOUR PROBLEMS ANYMORE.
 DEVELOP STRONG MORAL AND SPIRITUAL
FOUNDATION IN LIFE.