Drug addiction among teenagers is a serious and growing problem in the Philippines. It is estimated that as many as 60,000 young people are dealing with drug addiction, with marijuana being the most commonly used drug. Within the last ten years, drug addiction among Filipino youth has risen dramatically. Both governmental and private organizations in the Philippines are taking measures to treat addicted youth, educate the public on the dangers of drugs, and help the country address this alarming issue.

1. DRUG ADDICTION AMONG
TEENAGERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Authors: Danilo Antonio, Lawrence Robinson, Melinda
Smith, M.A., and Joanna Saisan, M.S.W. Last updated:
February & June 2013.
Friday Group

2. Understanding drug use, drug
abuse, and addiction
People experiment with drugs for many
different reasons. Many first try drugs out of
curiosity, to have a good time, because friends
are doing it, or in an effort to improve athletic
performance or ease another problem, such as
stress, anxiety, or depression. With much of the
focus on drug use in the United States, many
people probably don’t pay much attention to drug
addiction in the Philippines. Why should
we? Because it is an ever-increasing problem
for the people of that country and they shouldn’t

3. Most of the drug users in the Philippines are young people. Illicit drugs
that are present include marijuana etc. While there are no hard fast statistics
available, it is estimated that as many as 60,000 young people in the Philippines
are dealing with drug addiction.
Within a period of ten years, the incidence of drug addiction rose
dramatically according to studies done in this tiny country. The majority of drug
users are students with marijuana being the drug of choice. Many people believe
that this rise is attributable to simple curiosity, but more likely because Philippine
youth are trying to emulate their Western counterparts here in the United States.

4. Signs and symptoms of drug
abuse and drug addiction
Common signs and symptoms of drug abuse
 You’re neglecting your responsibilities at
school, work, or home (e.g. flunking classes,
skipping work, neglecting your children) because
of your drug use.
 Your drug use is getting you into legal trouble,
such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving
under the influence, or stealing to support a drug
habit.
 Your drug use is causing problems in your
relationships, such as fights with your partner or
family members, an unhappy boss, or the loss of

5. Common signs and symptoms of drug addiction
 You’ve built up a drug tolerance. You need to use
more of the drug to experience the same effects you
used to attain with smaller amounts.
 Your life revolves around drug use. You spend a lot
of time using and thinking about drugs, figuring out
how to get them, and recovering from the drug’s
effects.
 You’ve abandoned activities you used to enjoy,
such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, because of
your drug use.
 You continue to use drugs, despite knowing it’s
hurting you. It’s causing major problems in your life—
blackouts, infections, mood swings, depression,

6. Warning signs of teen drug
abuse:
 Having bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils; using eye drops to
try to mask these signs
 Skipping class; declining grades; suddenly getting into trouble
at school
 Missing money, valuables, or prescriptions
 Acting uncharacteristically isolated, withdrawn, angry, or
depressed
 Dropping one group of friends for another; being secretive
about the new peer group
 Loss of interest in old hobbies; lying about new interests and
activities
 Demanding more privacy; locking doors; avoiding eye
contact; sneaking around

7. To meet the challenge of the drug abuse problem several
measures, both private and governmental, are being taken.
Violators of narcotic laws who make known to the authorities the
fact of their addiction and their desire to be cured are referred to the
Addiction Institute of the National Bureau of Investigation so
that they may undergo treatment and rehabilitation.
On another front, a new organization-the Narcotic
Foundation of the Philippines-has recently been formed. This is a
private association not related to Government institutions and
treatment centers; its aims are to raise funds for the treatment and
reorientation of young addicts, and to educate the public against the
dangers of drug addiction. It is to be hoped that the efforts made by
this newly-founded organization, along with the efforts of the
Addiction Institute and other interested bodies, will help the country
to eventually cope with the alarming growth in local drug abuse.

8. How to solve this problem?
If you suspect that a friend or family member has a drug
problem, here are a few things you can do:
 Speak up. Talk to the person about your concerns, and offer
your help and support, without being judgmental. The earlier
addiction is treated, the better. Be prepared for excuses and
denial by listing specific examples of your loved one’s
behavior that has you worried.
 Take care of yourself. Don’t get so caught up in someone
else’s drug problem that you neglect your own needs. Make
sure you have people you can talk to and lean on for support.
And stay safe.
 Avoid self-blame. You can support a person with a
substance abuse problem and encourage treatment, but you
can’t force an addict to change. Let the person accept
responsibility for his or her actions, an essential step along
the way to recovery for drug addiction.

9. For parents…
When your teen has a drug problem:
 Lay down rules and consequences. Your teen should understand
that using drugs comes with specific consequences. Make sure
your spouse agrees with the rules and is prepared to enforce them.
 Monitor your teen’s activity. Know where your teen goes and who
he or she hangs out with. It’s also important to routinely check
potential hiding places for drugs—in backpacks, between books on
a shelf or make-up cases, for example. Explain to your teen that this
lack of privacy is a consequence of him or her having been caught
using drugs.
 Encourage other interests and social activities. Expose your
teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports and
afterschool clubs.
 Get Help. Teenagers often rebel against their parents but if they
hear the same information from a different authority figure, they may
be more inclined to listen. Try a sports coach, family doctor,
therapist, or drug counselor.

10. Drug addiction in the Philippines is a growing problem,
but it is one that the Philippine government is trying to tackle and
take hold of. Just as in the United States, drug addiction is
nothing to be taken lightly no matter where it happens – here or
in the Philippines.