What Is A Drug

DRUG
EDUCA
What Is A Drug?
TION
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A chemical substance which alters the way the
human body naturally functions.

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A DRUG IS ANY SUBSTANCE OTHER THAN FOOD WHICH CHANGES THE
WAY THE BODY OR MIND FUNCTIONS.

ORIGIN:
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Natural- any drugs from nature ex. MARIJUANA
Synthetic- Drugs that produced artificially or processed in the laboratory ex.
Shabu, Caffeine

Drug Abuse
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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.

Drug Addiction
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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.

Certain Countries that legalized illegal drugs
 Uruguay
 United States(esp. of some countries like Colorado, Alaska,
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Washington)
Ukraine
Spain
Puerto Rico (used as medicine)
Peru
North Korea

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Portugal
India
Argentina
Canada
Mexico
Jamaica
Czech Republic
Ecuador

Why Do People Use Drugs?
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Lack of self-esteem (Im dirty, rotten, stinky,
no good).

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Problems (I feel better when Im stoned).

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Peer pressure (I wanna be like).

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Rebellion (Ill show them).

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Curiosity (is it true what they say?)

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What types of problems can result from drug use?
To the individual...
To the family...

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Mental Problems

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Physical Problems

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Problems at school

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Problems at work

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Violence between family members

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money problems

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According to the FBI, a large portion of criminal
acts are committed by people under the influence
of drugs
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One murder every 29 minutes

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One aggravated assault every 31 seconds

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One violent crime every 19 seconds

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One crime every 2 seconds

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One property crime every 3 seconds

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What are four main drugs commonly used and
distributed? (Nationally)
Marijuana
Cocaine (Crack)
Alcohol
Inhalants
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Pot
Herb
Dope
Marijuana
Grass
Weed
Hash
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Effects of Marijuana on the Brain.
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problems with memory and learning

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distorted perception

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difficulty in thinking and problem-solving

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loss of coordination

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increased heart rate

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anxiety

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panic attacks.

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Cocaine
Coke
Crack
Rock
Base
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Physical effects.
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constricted peripheral blood vessels

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dilated pupils

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increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood
pressure.

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Some cocaine users report feelings of
restlessness, irritability, and anxiety, both
while using and between periods of use.

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An appreciable tolerance to the high may be
developed, and many addicts report that they seek

but fail to achieve as much pleasure as they did
from their first exposure.
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Paranoia and aggression.
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High doses of cocaine and/or prolonged use can
trigger paranoia.

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Smoking crack cocaine can produce particularly
aggressive paranoid behavior in users.

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When addicted individuals stop using cocaine,
they may become depressed. This depression causes
users to continue to use the drug to alleviate
their depression.

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Long-term effects.
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Prolonged cocaine snorting can result in
ulceration of the mucous membrane of the nose and
can damage the nasal septum enough to cause it to
collapse.

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Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of
cardiac arrest or seizures followed by
respiratory arrest.

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Alcohol may be the world's oldest known drug.
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The Path of Alcohol in the Body
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1. Mouth alcohol enters the body.

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2. Stomach some alcohol gets into the
bloodstream in the stomach, but most goes on to
the small intestine.

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3. Small Intestine alcohol enters the
bloodstream through the walls of the small
intestine.

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4. Heart pumps alcohol throughout the body.

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5. Brain alcohol reaches the brain.

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6. Liver alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a
rate of about 0.5 oz per hour. Alcohol is
converted into water, carbon dioxide and energy.

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In low doses,alcohol produces

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A relaxing effect

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Reduced tension

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Lowered inhibitions

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Impaired concentration

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Slowed reflexes

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Impaired reaction time

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Reduced coordination

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In medium doses,alcohol produces

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Slurred speech

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Drowsiness

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Altered emotions

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In high doses, alcohol produces

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Vomiting

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Breathing difficulties

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Unconsciousness

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Coma

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DEATH

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Effects of Inhalants on the Nervous System
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When vapors are inhaled (1), they are absorbed
through the lungs (2) and enter the bloodstream
(3). Once in the bloodstream, the chemicals
travel to the brain (4) and other tissues
throughout the body. Most inhalants that are
abused depress the functioning of the nervous
system. However, the effects of each
inhalant are difficult to determine because
each product is made up many
different chemicals and each person may
breathe in different amounts of each
chemical. Nevertheless, these chemicals
do have significant effects on the
nervous system.

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The immediate effects of inhalants include
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relaxation

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slurred speech

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euphoria

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hallucinations

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drowsiness

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dizziness

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nausea

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vomiting

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DEATH - from heart failure or suffocating on
plastic bags or vomit.

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Long term use of inhalants can cause
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Memory loss

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Concentration problems

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Visual disturbances blindness

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Motor problems

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Peripheral nerve damage

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DEATH

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Black Tar
Junk
Dope
China White
Heroin
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Drug Users!!!
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One year after heroin!!! (Charged with 1st degree
murder).
Does she look like a Heroin addict?
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The Effects of Drugs And Prostitution
This is a series of arrest photographs of the
same individual over the course of 10 years. Some
of the photos were taken at closer time intervals

than others. The dates are posted under each
photo.
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Date November 1979
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Date July 1980
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Date August 1980
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Date March 1981
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Date Sometime in 1982
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Date May 1986
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Date April 1988
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Date Sometime in 1988
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Date June 1988
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Date January 1989
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Positive Ways to End Drug Use
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Making the best decisions in life (drugs have
many negative consequences)

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Getting involved in positive activities (Like
Civil Air Patrol)

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Drug education for parents and teens

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Recreational programs

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Stricter laws

Facts on Drugs

Facts About Drug Abuse
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 health problems, 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.
Drugs
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.
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.
Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a complex, and often chronic, brain disease. It is characterized by
execessive drug craving, seeking, and use. Addiction is caused by brain changes caused
by constant drug use.
Dependency
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.
Drug Abuse: By the Numbers
Estimated Drug Users in the Philippines: 1.7 Million
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
Duration of Drug Use: More than 6 years
Nature of Drug Use: Polydrug-use
Commonly Abused Substances:
(1) Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Shabu)
(2) Cannabis (Marijuana)
(3) Inhalants (Contact Cement)
* Figure estimates from the DDB-conducted 2008 National Household Survey on the
Nature and Extent of Drug Abuse in the Philippines. (Also see Research and Statistics.)
Most commonly abused drugs in and their Ill Effects
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Shabu)

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

Other adverse effects of methamphetamine:
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Extreme weight loss
Severe dental problems (“meth mouth”)
Anxiety
Confusion
Insomnia
Mood disturbances
Violent behavior
Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana)

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
Health problems that come with the use of marijuana include:
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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
Inhalants

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

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:
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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
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

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finds it difficult to concentrate
Helping Victims of Drug Abuse

If you suspect that a friend is using drugs, talk to
him or her. Let your friend know that you care. Talk to your parents, teacher, school
counselor, or another trusted adult. Offer to go with your friend to his parents or a
counselor for help.
You alone can't make your friend stop doing drugs. It takes professional help.
Counseling, treatment and rehabilitation are among the interventions that can help
someone struggling with the compulsion to use drugs. You may contact us via this
website and our social networking accounts or over the phone (+63-929-1753) for other
queries and means of helping a person recover from drug dependency.
Words to Know
Addiction - A person has an addiction when he becomes dependent on or craves a
drug and believes he needs the drug to live. All an addicted drug user can think about is
getting the next dose after getting high.
Depressant - A depressant is a drug that slows a person down. Doctors prescribed
depressants to help people be less angry, anxious, or tense. Depressants relax muscles
and make people feel sleepy or like their head are stuffed.
Hallucinogen - A hallucinogen is a drug, such as LSD, that changes a person's mood
and makes him see, hear, or think things that aren't really there. Hallucinogens change
the way a person feels time, making it seem to slow down. As the name implies,
hallucinogens may cause hallucinations - this is when people think they see or hear
imaginary people or things.
High - A high is the feeling that drug users want to get when they take drugs. There are
many types of high, including a spacey feeling, euphoria, or a feeling that a person has
“special powers”, such as the ability to fly or see into the future.
Stimulant - A stimulant speeds up a person's body and brain. Stimulants, such as
methamphetamines, have the opposite effect of depressants. Usually stimulants make a

person high energetic. When the effects of a stimulant wear off, a person will feel tired
or sick.
Sources and References