This document discusses the dangers of drug abuse, including addiction, health problems, and death. It notes that drugs can affect each person differently based on their brain chemistry and prior drug exposure. Common signs of drug abuse are listed, such as declining interest in activities, mood swings, and associating with known drug users. The most commonly abused drugs in the Philippines like methamphetamine, marijuana, and inhalants are described along with their short and long term negative health effects.

2. Despite the seemingly tamed and glamorized
idea of drug use, it must be remembered that it
can still lead to ABUSE, ADDICTION, LEGAL
OFFENSES, SERIOUS HEALTHPROBLEMS, and
even DEATH.
We must understand that there is no way to
predict the effect that a drug can have on a
person, especially if it is the first time they try it,
and even regardless of dose and amount.
Given that each person’s brain and body
chemistry are different, each person would
also have a different tolerance for drugs.

3. Drug s
Drugs are chemicals that affect a person
in such a way as to bring about
physiological, emotional, or behavioral
change.
‘Dangerous drugs’ are those that have
high tendency for abuse and
dependency, these substances may be
organic or synthetic, and pose harm to
those who use them.

4. Drug Abuse
Drug abuse exists when a person
continually uses a drug other
than its intended purpose. This
continued use can lead to drug
dependence, a state of physical
and psychological dependence
or both on a dangerous drug.

5. Drug Addictio n
Drug addiction is a complex, and
often chronic, brain disease. It is
characterized by excessive drug
craving, seeking, and use.
Addiction is caused by brain
changes caused by constant drug
use.

6. De pe nde ncy
This is the state of physical and
psychological dependence, or both, on a
dangerous drug, or drugs, experienced
by a person following the use of that
substance on a periodic or continuous
basis. A person dependent on drugs will
experience withdrawal reactions (also
known as “cold turkey”, symptoms that
occur after long-term use of a drug is
reduced or stopped abruptly) after
abstaining from drugs.

7. Drug Abuse: By the Numbers
Estimated Drug Users
in the Philippines:
1.7 Million

8. Profile of Drug Users
Mean Age: 28 years old
Ratio of Male is to Female Users: 10:1
Civil Status: Single (58.21%)
Employment Status: Unemployed
Educational Attainment: High School Level
Average Monthly Household Income: Php
16,290.80
Residence: Urban Areas

9. Duration of Drug Use:
More than 6 years

10. Nature of Drug Use:
Polydrug-use

11. Commonly Abused Substances:
(1)Methamphetamine Hydrochloride
(Shabu)
(2) Cannabis (Marijuana)
(3) Inhalants (Contact Cement)

12. MOST COMMONLY
ABUSED DRUGS
AND THEIR ILL
EFFECTS

13. Methamphetamine
Hydrochloride (Shabu)

14. Methamphetamine hydrochloride is found
to have harmful effects to the brain. It
changes how the brain functions. Studies
have shown that methamphetamine
abusers have reduced motor skills and
impaired verbal learning as a result of
alterations in the activity of the dopamine,
a neurotransmitter involved in reward,
motivation, experience of pleasure and
motor function.
Street names:
shabs, ice, meth, crystal, kristal, basura,
tawas, bato

15. Other adverse effects of methamphetamine:
Severe dental problems (“meth
mouth”)
Anxiety
Confusion
Insomnia
Mood Disturbances
Violent behavior

16. Cannabis Sativa
(Marijuana)

17. Marijuana use impairs a person's ability to form
new memories and to shift focus. Its active
component, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) also
disrupts coordination and balance, posture, and
reaction time (experience commonly referred to
as “spacing out”). Thus, chronic marijuana use
significantly reduces a person’s capacity to learn,
carry-out complicated tasks, participate in sports,
driving and operating other machineries. Studies
also show that marijuana use can lead to lung
cancer and other problems in the respiratory and
immune systems.
Street names: weed, jutes, pot, grass, damo,
chongke

18. Health problems that come with the use of
marijuana include:
Problems with memory and learning
Distorted perception(sights, sounds,
time, touch)
Trouble with thinking and problem
solving
Loss of motor coordination
Increased heart rate and palpitations

19. INHALANT
S

20. The effects of inhalants are
similar to that of alcohol,
including slurred speech, lack of
coordination, euphoria and
dizziness. Inhalant abusers may
also experience
lightheadedness, hallucinations,
and delusions.

21. Harmful irreversible effects of inhalants
include:
Hearing loss
Limb spasms
Central nervous system or
brain damage
Bone marrow damage

26. SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE

27. The following are common signs of
drug revealed by individual using
drugs. While not all of these signs
mean that one person is involved in
drugs and there could be some
other physical or emotional problem
that is causing these behaviors,
there is high chance that drug use
may be a possibility:

28. declining interest in school or work
suddenly changes friends (hangs out with
individuals known for their drug use)
becomes pessimistic, irritable and anxious all
the time
asks to be left alone a lot
is always tired (or makes it as an excuse to
be left alone)
becomes careless and often becomes
involved in accidents
becomes implicated in a lot of fights

29. frequent mood swings
sudden change in appearance and
conduct (red or puffy eyes, weight
changes, constant complaints of
headaches or stomachaches, shaking,
incessant cough, brown stains on
fingertips, stumbling, or a constant
runny nose)
loss of interest in hobbies or sports
exhibits poor judgment
finds it difficult to concentrate