MODULE11: Understanding the Drug Problem, Causes and

Influence of Drug Abuse

A. Common Reasons why Individual take Drugs

People have generally different motivation in life. The young ones are very much
adventurous and some of them have strong attraction in drug-taking, because these
“Space are era belongs to them so to speak, thus, the “IN” thing these days are drugs.
To see drug abusers around seemed to be of a common sight.
The drug habit is acquired primarily in three ways:
1. Association – the tendency of a drug abuser to look for peer groups where he
feels being wanted and accepted.
2. Experimentation – the tendency of a person to try and explore the effects of
drugs due to curiosity or other reasons.
3. Inexperienced doctors – the tendency of doctors and physicians to
unnecessarily prescribe drugs.
Likewise, addiction may also be acquired through:
1. Habituation – repetitious engagement of drug use which is closely related to the
experience of the euphoric effect of drugs, and the relief of pain or emotional
discomfort.
2. Toleration – refers to the necessity to increase the dose to obtain an effect
equivalent to the original dose.
3. Dependence – the altered physiological state brought about by the repeated
administration of the drug, which necessitates the continued use of the drug to
avoid withdrawal syndrome.

UNDERLYING INFLUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE

The drug addict or abuser is generally an emotionally unstable person before he
acquires the habit. He cannot face painful situations without help, he has less will power
and self control. He has not adjusted himself to his emotional reaction. Due to this, drug
addicts have low capacities for dealing with frustrations, anxieties and stress.
Drug abuse is a multi-faced problem that exists in our locality and countryside,
there is usually more than one reason why this problem occur. Any of the following
factors may influence people to abuse drugs.
a. Biological Factors
There are some reasons or preexisting induced biological abnormalities of
chemicals, physiological or structural in nature that induced a person to take drugs.
The following are some to consider:
1. Individual’s general health – there are several diseases that easily make a
person become a drug abuser. Examples are fatigue, chronic cough, insomnia,
and discomfort.
2. It is believe that drug has the special power to prevent or to increase sexual
capacity.
3. One specific genetic theory proposes that there is an inherited defect in the
production of endorphin, similar to morphine. A deficiency of the substance leads
to bodily discomfort. With the use of the morphine, this feeling is induced or
disappeared. According to theory, a person who uses morphine has the
physiological abnormality where endorphin production is less. The drugs when
we use the body cells work actively.

b. Factors in Youthful Drug Abuse

(Psychological, Mental health, Family conditions)

1. Motives and Attitudes

Psychologically speaking, in terms of motives and function of drug use, some
of which may not be recognized by users themselves. The more a drug is used, the
more it tends to satisfy more than one motive or need.
Try to ask a drug dependent on the reason why he or she engaged in drug
use and he or she will reveal about curiosity sake. There is the eagerness to explore
what they have not experienced. Other reasons would be “pakikisama” sake – peer
group pressures, to feel more courageous, to find out more about oneself, to satisfy
a strong craving or compulsion, to prove their guts, and to escape from problems.
Others would say to increase or reduce appetite, to feel less dull or sluggish and
improve sex, to improve intelligence or learning, prepare stress, to feel less depress
of sad, relieve tension or nervousness, to make good moral mood last longer, relieve
anger or irritation, and many more.
2. Personality and Pathology
This psychology has been described as follows: Chronic, low-grade
depression, smoldering, tense and restlessness, a sense of not being taken
seriously, narcissism or egocentricity, preoccupation with issues or identity,
autonomy, and freedom of expression, repeated dwelling on drug taking and its
effects, and the difficulty in interpersonal relations.
3. Family Background
The kinds of personality disturbances found in some young addicts and heads
cannot, in the current state of knowledge, be identified as brain damage or
schizophrenia. It is more in the manner of character disorder. And the behavior may
be the result of inadequate socialization, condition of child rearing and family
interaction. The few available facts about families of young abuser lend credence to
this idea. In high addiction areas, the families of adolescent narcotics users showed
the following characteristics:
1. Absent or weak father
2. Overprotective, overindulgent and domineering mother
3. Inconsistent standards of behavior, lack of definition of limits
4. Hostility or conflict between parents
5. Unrealistic aspiration for children
6. Modeling, if parents or key influence are drug users, young persons often
tend to model the behavior they are at home.
The family therefore is a strong influence to drug abuse. Common factors are:
children of broken home easily join peer groups as substitutes to their lost family
solidarity, to strike and over protectiveness of parents, to assert their independence,
and to rebel from parental authority.
c. Other Psycho-Social Factors
Drug abuse is a manifestation of an underlying character or personality
disorder. Thus majority of the drug users are fundamentally immature, emotionally
childish, insecure or are suffering from problems of adolescence.
It is also a sign or symptom of family problem involving parent and child
relationship, peer pressures, unethical values. However, drugs use does not only
occur in isolation of environmental factors but rather, is greatly influenced by many
factors. Some of these sociological factors are as follows:
 1. Availability of over-the counter and prescription drugs variety of drugs
available for different ailments.
2. Influence of media-advertisement message that all ailments can be cured
through the use of chemical substances toward messages and help to
create the acceptance of drugs.
3. Impact of affluent lifestyle and effect of increased travel and exposure to
different culture and social values.
4. The collapse of religious values.
5. Alienation and enemies feeling of powerless.
6. Lower value on academic achievement.
7. They believe that drug can give deeper insights.
8. The belief that medicines can magically solve problems and the easy
access to drug or various sorts in an affluent society.
9. The enjoyment of euphoria or excitement induced by drugs.
10. The beliefs that they are just taking it like alcohol.
11. The tendency of persons with psychological problems to seed easily
solution with chemicals.
12. The statement of proselytizers who proclaim the goodness of drugs.
13. Slum condition – the most critical is that the slum dweller is often deprived
of emotional support.
The Primary Causes of Drug Abuse
Any of the seven deadly sins could be the primary cause why people tend to
abuse drugs despite knowledge of the dangerous effects of drugs.
1. Pride – excessive feeling of self-worth or self-esteem sense of self-importance.
2. Anger – unexpressed, deep-seated anger against himself, his family, his friend
or the society in general.
3. Lust – burning sexual desire can distort the human mind to drug abuse.
4. Gluttony – “food trip” in the lingo of junkies.
5. Greed – wealth, fame, recognition as exemplified by people under pressure in
their work of art, such as musicians, actors, athletes who indulge in drug abuse.
6. Envy – to get attention from someone: as a sign of protest envy is a major cause
of drug abuse.
 7. Laziness – “I can’t syndrome”, incapacity to achieve – the breeding ground of
drug abuse. Boredom coupled with poor self-image.
B. Causes and Influence of Drug Abuse
The term “Drug Abuse” most often refers to the use of a drug with such frequency that it
causes physical or mental harm to the user or impairs social functioning. Although the
term seems to imply that users abuse the drugs they take, in fact, it is themselves or
others they abuse by using drugs.
Traditionally, the term drug abuse referred to the use of any drug prohibited by
law, regardless of whether it was actually harmful or not. This meant that any use of
Marijuana, for example, even if it occurred only once in a while, would constitute abuse,
while the same level of alcohol consumption would not.
The term drug is commonly associated with substances that may be purchased
legally with prescription for medical use. Other substances that may be purchased
legally without prescription and are commonly abused include alcohol and the nicotine
contained in tobacco cigarettes (Groiler, 1995).
Concept of Drug Dependence
Drug abuse must be distinguished from drug dependence. Drug dependence,
which is sometimes called drug addiction, is defined by three basic characteristics
(Groiler, 1995).
1. The users continue to take a drug oven an extended period of time.
2. The users find it difficult to stop using the drug. They seem powerless to quit the
drug use. Users take extraordinary and often harmful measures to continue using
the drug. They will drop out of school, steal, leave their families, go to jail and
lose their job to keep using drug.
3. The users stop taking their drug – only if their supply of the drug is cut off, or if
they are forced to quit for any reason – they will undergo painful physical or
mental distress. The experience of withdrawal distress, called the withdrawal
syndrome, is a sure sign that a drug is dependency-producing and that the user
is dependent on the drug. Drug dependence may lead to drug abuse – especially
the illegal drugs.
Concept of Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a state of mind in which a person has lost the power of self-
control in respect of a drug. He consumes the drug repeatedly leaving aside all values
of life. In other words a drug addict will resort to crime even, to satisfy his repeated
craving for the drug. The effects of addiction are mainly deteriorative personality
changes. They include insomnia, instability, lack of self-confidence especially when not
under the influence of drug. The addict cannot concentrate on any work. He avoids
social contacts. Slowly, mentally, physically, and morally he becomes from bad to worse
and a burden to the society.
Characteristics of Drug Addiction
One or more of the following attributes characterizes drug addiction:
1. Uncontrollable Craving – the addict feels a compulsive craving to take drug
repeatedly and tries to procure the same by any means.
2. Tolerance – it is the tendency to increase the dose of the drug to produce the
same effect as to that of the original effect.
3. Addiction – the addict is powerless to quit drug use.
4. Physical Dependence – the addict’s physiological functioning is altered. The
body becomes sick, inactive and incapable of carrying out useful activity in the
absence of the drug. The withdrawal syndromes will occur once the drug use is
stopped.
5. Psychological Dependence – emotional and mental discomfort exist to the
individual. The drug addict feels he cannot do without the drug, consequently if
he does not take the drug his mental processes are affected. He cannot carry out
his work efficiently.
6. Withdrawal Syndrome – the addict becomes nervous and restless when he
does not get the drug. After about 12 hours, he starts sweating. His nose and
eyes become watery and continue doing so increasingly for another twelve
hours. It is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and sleep. Respiration,
blood pressure and body temperature also rises. This will continue up to three
days. After which, the trouble starts subsiding and most of it is gone in about a
week’s time. Complete recovery takes place in three to six months.

GROUP CLASSIFICATION OF DRUG ABUSERS

In order to understand the groups of people who abuse drugs, the group
classification of drugs addicts are presented as:
1. Situational Users – those who use drugs to keep them awake or for additional
energy to perform an important work. Such individual may or may not exhibit
psychological dependence.
 2. Spree Users – school age users who take drugs for “kicks’, an adventurous
daring experience, or as a means of fun. There may be some degree of
psychological dependence but little physical dependence due to the mixed
pattern of use.
3. Hard Core Users – those, whose activities revolve almost entirely around the
drug experience and securing supplies. They show strong psychological
dependence on the drug.
4. Hippies – those who are addicted to drugs believing that drugs is an integral part
of life.

IDENTIFICATION OF DRUG ABUSERS

A drug abuser will do everything possible to conceal his habit. To be able to
recognize the outward signs and symptoms, it is equally important to realize that the
drug problems are so complex. Even expert advice not to judge abruptly an individual
taking narcotics drug as it could lead to falsely accusing an innocent person.
It should also be remembered that a person might have a legitimate reason for
possessing a tablets, syringe and needle (may be a diabetic) having capsules (they may
prescribe by doctor). Having the sniffles and running eyes may due to head cold or an
allergy. Unusual or add behavior may not be connected in any way with drug use.
What to Observe
The following markers can help in identifying drug abusers:
1. Change in interest – they lose interest in their studies and in their work. They
fail in school, shift from one course to another, transfer of school of lower
standard until eventually drop out.
2. Frequent shifting of mood – they are euphoric, elated and sometimes even
ecstatic when under the influence of drugs. They would be indifferent, irritable
and even hostile when the effect of drug is waning from the system.
3. Changes in behavior – they usually spend a lot. They are usually in the
company of known drug users in the community. They come home late; they
have become disrespectful and would sell personal or family valuables.
4. Changes in physical appearance – if they can be seen while still under the
influence of drugs the following can be noted:
Detecting a drug user is not an easy task. The signs and symptoms of drug
abuse, especially in the beginning stages can be identical to those produced by
conditions having nothing whatsoever to do with drugs.
Consideration in Detecting Abusers
It is always necessary to exercise certain prudence before drawing conclusions.
Some judgments may only hurt the individual, if he is innocent and one may lose his
love and trust. Only after observing calmly and patiently his behavior, appearance and
associations, may one pass judgment and act. To detect a drug abuser one should
observe the following:
1. Neglect of personal appearance, diminished drive, lack of ambition, reduced
attention span, poor quality of school work, and impaired communication skills,
2. Less care for the feeling of others, lessening of accustomed family warmth, pale
face, red eyes, dilation or constricted pupils, and wearing sunglasses at wrong
places,
3. Secretive about money, disappearance of money and other valuables from the
house
4. Friends refusing to identify themselves or hang up when you answer the phone,
and over action to mild conditions,
5. Smell of marijuana, sweetish odor, like a burned rope in the clothes or room, etc.,
6. Knowledge on the lingo of drug abusers,
7. Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, muscular aches, insomnia and
convulsions, etc., and
8. Presence of butt from marijuana joint, holders (i.e. pipe clips) for the joint, leaves,
seeds in pockets or lining, rolling paper, pipes, cough syrup bottles, capsules,
syringes, etc., devices for hiding drugs like trash cans, soft drinks bottles, other
pills like valium, and other tranquilizers, physician’s prescription pad in blank
form, linear scar in the arms, forearms and abdomen.

PROCESS OF DETECTING DRUG ABUSERS

The detection of drug abusers involves five processes namely:
1. Observation
Observations of the signs and symptoms of drug abuse may take
relatively a long period of time. Good sensory equipment and a high degree of
objectivity are two requirements for a good observer. To be an effective observer,
the observer should not let his own personal judgments and reactions affect his
 observations. He should exercise care in his observation such that the suspected
drug abuser is not made aware of being observed.
2. History Taking
a. Collateral Information (Interview with information) – The best information
is from the patient himself, but collateral information is necessary. Ideally,
a parent or close relative or a close friend should be present to furnish
useful details as to the different changes observed in the patient that
made them suspect the subject is abusing drugs. These changes may be
in his appearance, behavior, mood, or interest.
b. Interview with Patient – Inquire regarding the drugs being abused, onset
of his drug taking activity, reason for abusing drugs, how he supports his
vice, etc.
3. Laboratory Examination
Accurate laboratory examinations cannot be performed by any ordinary
chemist since detection of dangerous drugs requires sophisticated equipment
and apparatus, special chemical reagents and most of all, the specialize
technique know-how.
4. Psychological Examination
This phase of drug detection requires the expertise of trained
psychologists. Teachers therefore are not in a position to administer
psychological examinations among their students. Psychological examination
findings will correspond to the general findings of a drug prone individual:
drowsy or lethargic appearance accompanied by scratching and without alcoholic
breath, tendency to giggle excessively at things which others don’t consider
funny, and over-active and over talkative. Examples of test are:
a. Intelligence Test – the test is designed to cover a wide variety of mental
functions with special emphasis on adjustment comprehension and
reasoning.
b. Personality Test – this type of test is used to evaluate the character and
personality traits of an individual such as his emotional adjustment,
interpersonal relation, motivation and attitude.
c. Aptitude Test – this test is to measure the readiness with which the
individual increases his knowledge and improves skills when given the
necessary opportunity and training.
 d. Interest Test – this is designed to reveal the field of interest that a client
will be interested in.
e. Psychiatric Evaluation – it is a process whereby a team of professionals
composed of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers
conduct an examination to determine whether or not a patient is suffering
from psychiatric disorder.
THE EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE

1. PHYSICAL EFFECTS
a. Malnutrition – The life of an addict revolves around drug use. He misses
even his regular meals. He losses appetite and eventually develops
malnutrition. Likewise, the drug dependent who has tried on his own to
withdraw may suffer from severe gastrointestinal disturbance that result to
severe dehydration.
b. Skin Infections and Skin Rashes – Oftentimes the drug abuser neglects his
personal hygiene, uses unsterilized needles and syringes that result in skin
infections or even ulceration at the sites of the needle puncture. Skin rashes
may even occur as a side effect or sensitivity reaction to certain drugs of
abuse. Infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, bronchial
asthma, viral hepatitis, sequel of drug abuse. Marijuana smoking can produce
physical conditions like chronic bronchitis and asthma. Physically ill persons,
like a tuberculosis individual who has suffered so much from his illness may
resort to drug taking as a temporary measure for relief. A drug abuser,
because of his use of unsterilized paraphernalia, tends to develop lowered
resistance and becomes susceptible to various infections, among them are
viral hepatitis, and HIV infections/AIDS.
2. PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
The abuse of drugs can bring many psychological malfunctions such as the
following:
a. Deterioration of personality with impaired emotional maturation.
b. Impairment of adequate mental function.
c. Loss of drive and ambition.
d. Development of psychosis and depression.
e. Loss of interest to study.
f. Laziness, lethargy, boredom and restlessness.
g. Irritability, rebellious attitude.
 h. Withdrawn forgetfulness.
3. SOCIAL EFFECTS
The drug abuser may also experience social dysfunction such as the
following:
a. Deterioration of interpersonal relationship and development of conflict with
authority.
b. Commission of crimes.
c. Social maladjustment; loss of desire to work, study and participate in activities
or to face challenges.
4. MENTAL EFFECTS
The drug abuser can experience adverse effect on the central nervous
system. Regular use or injection of large doses of a substance reduces the activity
of the brain and depresses the central nervous system. The drug dependent then
manifests changes in his mind and behavior that are undesirable by people in his
environment. behave contrary to what he usually think is right. These drugs are
essentially reality modifiers Another mental effect would be deterioration of the mind.
The dependent is a “mental invalid” in the sense that drugs can manipulate him,
make him lose his power, and prod him to, which create a masked sense of well
being by either dulling or distorting sensory perceptions and providing a temporary
means of escape from personal difficulties, either real or imaginary. They can reduce
or accelerate activity to create indifference, depressive mood, or carelessness.
As a result, the abuser’s mind deteriorates gradually. In other instances, he
abruptly loses interest and motivation in the pursuit of achievement and constructive
goals. Instead of providing him relaxation and escape from discomfort, drug, alcohol
and tranquilizers may blur his attempts to come to terms with reality. His character
becomes weak and inadequate in coping with his problems.
5. ECONOMIC EFFECTS
Some economic problems are encountered due drug abuse like:
a. Inability to hold stable job.
It is impossible for a drug abuser to hold a steady job since he spends all his
time and money on drugs. If he does not have a regular job, he and his friends
 steal to raise money. If he has one, he would be unable to concentrate since he
would be either over-stimulated or lazy and drowsy.
b. Dependence on family resources.
Instead of contributing to the economic stability of the family, a dependent
becomes an economic burden. Besides depending on the family for his basic
necessities, he also has to rely on the family resources to provide him money for the
support of his expensive habit.
c. Accidents in industry.
In a state of agitation or dullness of the mind as a result of the drug he has
taken, the dependent becomes careless and loses concentration on his job.
Consequently, an accident may occur which may adversely affect both drug abuser and
his co-workers.

DANGEROUS DRUGS
-Refers to the broad categories or classes of controlled substance. Controlled substance
is generally grouped according to pharmacological classifications, effects and as to their legal
criteria. Dangerous drug is something that can be harmful or injurious to man, animals and even
plants.

A. Prohibited and Regulated Drugs

There are drugs that, because of the nature of their chemical composition or element
alone or in combination with others, are perceivably harmful and injurious because they can
cause physical destruction or injury of a living thing or body or the impairment of its vital organs
or other parts essential for its life, good health and well-being.
Substances or drugs of this kind could be any of the following:
1. Poisonous or toxic chemicals and their fumes and gases.
a. A poison is any substance that causes tissue injury or interferes, interrupts and
affects the natural life processes when imbibed or absorbed by the body. Poisons are of three
kinds:
1. Corrosives
2. Irritants
3. Systemic
1. Corrosive chemicals

2. Irritant Chemicals

3. Systemic Chemicals

Mode of actions in Chemical Poisoning

1. Contact Poison - follows actions contact of the body of the insect and the insecticides
2. Systemic Poison - chemicals move within the tissue of the plant and toxicity sucking
insects feeding in plants sap.
3. Fumigants - acts by its vapour action
4. Stomach Poison - Enters the pest through the mouth by ingestion and absorption in
the digestive tract

b. Cyanide blocks the absorption of oxygen by the cells. Without oxygen, the brain
will starve so that all vital organs of the body will cease to function.

2. Drugs that have medicinal value, but may be harmful or injurious. These are drugs
that have been experimentally and clinically tested and proven to be good medicines for
the prevention, therapy or cure of specific diseases or illness.
However, even these kinds of drugs can become a health hazard because of extraneous
factors, like the following:
a. the drug is not appropriate for the treatment or therapy of the illness or disease being
suffered.
 b. The drug is not used or applied properly. This happens when the user disregards
warnings regarding its possible adverse side effects is used in combination with some
other drugs.
B. Drugs that affects the Nervous System
Generally speaking, there are two classes of drugs that are capable of affecting the
nervous system:

(a) Psychotropic Drug

Psychotropic drug are those that have the capability of altering the mood, perception,
behavior and brain functions of a user. It is the drug that can affect the CNS (brain and
spinal cord).
(b) Non-Psychotropic Drug.
A Non-psychotropic drug can have some stimulant properties, but it can only go as far
as to affect the peripheral nervous system.

Non-psychotropic drugs, likely do not affect the CNS, but there are certain kinds of
drugs in this category that can affect the peripheral nervous system.
These drugs have the capability of altering certain biochemical and physiological
processes and function of some specific organs in the body or of stimulating, blocking or
suppressing their activity. These drugs are known as agonist, antagonist or mixed
agonist-antagonist drugs.
There are different classes of psychotropic drugs. These drug can be classified according to
their botanical or chemical properties or according to the effects that they produce.

In the past, psychotropic drugs have been roughly and traditionally classified
according to either their chemical substance, general working characteristics, effects and
uses, like for example – drugs that are used:
(a) stimulants
(b) sedative
(c)Hypnotics
(d) hallucinogen
(e) anesthetics and pain killer and
(f) intoxicants.

Marijuana has always been treated as a drug with an identity of its own because,
according to many pharmacologists, this drug cannot relate pharmacologically to any
of the above groupings.
C.GeneralDrugClassification

A.AccordingtoEffects:
1. Depressants – are group of drugs that has the effect of depressing Central nervous
system. It also reduces the rate of intensity of vital functions.
2. Stimulants – group of drugs having the effect of stimulating the Central nervous
system. It activates the aggressiveness of the body and mind.
Examples are LSD and mescaline.
3. Hallucinogens
– refers to the group of drugs that are considered to be mind-altering drugs and
give the general effect of mood distortion. This generates hallucination which led to the
alteration of senses and affects the perception of reality.
B. According to Medical Pharmacology, dangerous drugs are classified as:
1.Depressants
2.Narcotics
3.Tranquilizers
4.Stimulants
5.Hallucinogens
6. Solvents/Inhalants
C. According to Medical Pharmacology, dangerous drugs are classified as:
1.Depressants
2.Narcotics
3.Tranquilizers
4.Stimulants
5Hallucinogens
6. Solvents/Inhalants
2.Regulateddrugs
a. Barbiturates – refers to the group of depressant known as “Veronal” like Luminal,
Amytal, Nembutal, etc.
b. Hypnotics – are group of drugs such as Mandrax, Quaalude, Fadomir, and others.
c. Amphetamines – are group of stimulant drugs like Benedrine, Dexedrine,
Methedrine, Preludin, etc.
3.VolatileSubstance(P.D. 1619)
The group of liquid, solid or mixed substances having the property of releasing toxic
vapors or fumes which when sniffed, smelled, inhaled, or introduced into the
physiological system of the body produces or induces a condition of intoxication,
excitement or dulling of the brain or nervous system. Examples of these drugs are Glue,
Gasoline, Kerosene, Ether, Paint, Thinner, Lacquer, etc.

D. CLASSIFICATION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS (According to Effects)

DEPRESSANTS(Psychotropic Drug)
Depressant Drug
- It is a psychotropic drug or chemical agent that has the general effect of producing a
decrease in the activity of bodily functions. In medical and scientific parlance, however,
the term is often used to refer to any drug that reduces the activity of the central nervous
system (brain and spinal cord).
It dulls the minds, slow down the body reactions such as extent that accidental deaths and/or
suicides usually happen. They cause depression, relieve pain and induce sedation or
sleep and suppress cough. Drugs that fall under this category are the following;

A. Sedatives-Hypnotics
 The word “hypnosis” is of Greek origin, which means “sleep”. However, in the actual
practice of hypnosis, the goal is not to put the subject to sleep but to put him in a “sleep-
like” state or that which would resemble a sleep. It is so unlike a normal sleep because a
person in a state of hypnotism will have an increased pulse rate and respiration, not
attendant in a normal sleep.
The combination of the term “sedatives” and “hypnotics” as a single group of words,
which appears to be descriptive of the class of drugs listed in that nomenclature, may in
reality be a mere advertising concept or commercial approach in selling by drug
manufacturers, which has nothing to do with their chemistry. The nomenclature may in
fact even a misnomer.
Sedatives-hypnotics, as they are known day, are usually prescribed by doctor for
sedation and for the relief and treatment of anxiety, depression, temporary insomnia, or
agitation in varying degrees and conditions. In small doses, the drug has a calming effect
on the CNS and muscles.
In the case of severe psychological or psychiatric disorders, potent hypnotics have been
found useful in the treatment and management of these conditions, but with possible
concomitant side effects like vertigo, light headache, drowsiness, a slurred speech and
the lack of muscle coordination. Comprehension and learning process can also be
impaired.
In the case of an overdose of barbiturate, it can cause poisoning which can cause brain
injury. If that part of the brain, which controls respiration, is injured, breathing will be
depressed. This condition can cause coma and death by asphyxia.
Two (2) general classes of sedatives-hypnotics, to wit:

1. Barbiturates – those drugs that have sedative-tranquilizing, hypnotic, anesthetic, and

anti-convulsive properties.
Very short-acting barbiturates have been used in the past as an anesthetic in surgery or
as a medication for the treatment of severe insomnia or anxiety. A long-acting
barbiturate has also been used to prevent epileptic seizures. However, these drugs have
high risk of toxicity and tolerance that can easily lead to addiction.
Withdrawal symptoms in barbiturate addiction are very much like those that occur in a case
of “chronic intoxication” in alcohol addiction.

2. Non-barbiturate sedatives (Tranquilizers) – Non-barbiturate sedatives

(Tranquilizers) – in common parlance, the term “tranquilizer” refers to any drug that is
used as a sedative in treating anxiety and insomnia. Although sedatives of both classes
(barbiturates and tranquilizers) produce some similar effects, they differ very
substantially in several respects, more particularly in the adverse effects that they
produce.
Although tranquilizers have a sedative action, they don’t have barbiturate content. These
drugs fall under two categories, to wit:

1.MajorTranquilizers
the first group major tranquilizers is exemplified by the phenothiazine. These drugs are
used for the treatment of psychotics and acute chronic psychological disorders that have
a psychiatric setting; e.g., schizophrenia-paranoia, psychoses. These drugs are advertised
and marketed by drug companies as “anti-psychotic” drugs.
2. Minor tranquilizers
- Effect on the nervous system. Tranquilizers used for the treatment of mild forms of
nervousness (neuroses), insomnia or sleep disorders, anxiety, agitation, which do not
have a psychiatric setting are categorized or described as “hypnotic-sedative drugs”.
Tranquilizers used for the treatment of depression are categorized as “anti-
depressants”. Those used for the treatment of convulsions, spasms or seizures following
drug abuse or neuro-muscular disorders accompanying drug withdrawal are called “anti-
convulsives”.

B. Narcotics – these are drugs which relieve pain and produce profound sleep or stupor
when introduced to the body. Medically, they are potent painkillers, cough depressants
and as an active component of anti-diarrhea preparations. Opium and its derivatives like
morphine, codeine and heroin as well as the synthetic opiates, meperidine and
methadone, are classified as narcotics.

C. Opium – it was derived from a poppy plant – Papaver somniferum popularly known
as “gum”, “gamut”, “kalamay” or “panocha”. A plant that can grow from 3 to 6 ft. in
height originally in Mesopotamia. Its active ingredient is the “meconic” acid – the
analgesic property.
D. Morphine – most commonly used and best used opiate. Effective as a painkiller six
times potent than opium, with a high dependence, mood changes and mental clouding.

E. Heroin – it is three to five times more powerful than morphine from which it is
derived and the most addicting opium derivative. With continued use, addiction occurs
within 14 days. It may be sniffed or swallowed but it is usually injected in the veins.
F. Codeine – it is a derivative of morphine, commonly available in cough preparations.
These cough medicines have been widely abused by the youth whenever had narcotics
are difficult to obtain. Withdrawal symptoms are less severe than other drugs.

G. Paregoric – a tincture of opium in combination with camphor. Commonly used as a

household remedy for diarrhea and abdominal pain.
F. Codeine – it is a derivative of morphine, commonly available in cough preparations.
These cough medicines have been widely abused by the youth whenever had narcotics
are difficult to obtain. Withdrawal symptoms are less severe than other drugs.

G. Paregoric – a tincture of opium in combination with camphor. Commonly used as a

household remedy for diarrhea and abdominal pain.
H. Demerol and Methadone – it is a common synthetic drug with morphine – like effects.
Demerol is widely used as a painkiller in shill birth while methadone is the drug of
choice in the withdrawal treatment of heroin dependents since it relieves that physical
craving for heroin.

I. Seconal – it is commonly used among hospitality girls. Sudden withdrawal from this
drug is even more dangerous than opiate withdrawal. The dependent develops
generalized convulsions and delirium, which are frequently associated with heart and
respiratory failure.
J. Volatile solvent – gaseous substances popularly known to abusers as “gas” or
‘teardrops”. Examples are plastic glues, hair spray, finger nail polish, lighter fluid,
rugby, paint, thinner, acetone, turpentine gasoline, kerosene, varnishes and other aerosol
products. They are inhaled by the use of plastic bags, handkerchief or rags soaked in
these chemicals.

K. Alcohol – the king of all drugs with potential for abuse. Most widely used, socially
accepted and most extensively legalized drug throughout the world. In the field of
medicine, it is “valuable” as fever among children and as preservative high solvent for
pharmaceutical preparations liker elixirs, spirits and tincture.
STIMULANTS
(Psychotropic and Non-psychotropic Drugs)

- Generally speaking, the medical and pharmaceutical term “stimulant” is defined as

any drug or agent capable of producing an increase in the functional activity of any
organ or body part. It does not distinguish between a psychotropic or non-psychotropic
drug.
-The reason for this is that, there are drugs that affect the central nervous system, while
there are those that can only go as far as to influence the peripheral nervous system.
Stimulants (Uppers)
– this produce effects opposite to that of depressant. Instead of bringing about
relaxation and sleep, they produce increased mental alertness, wakefulness, reduce
hunger, and provide a feeling of well—being. Their medical uses include narcolepsy – a
condition characterized by an overwhelming desire to sleep. Abrupt withdrawal of the
drug from the heavy abuse can result in a deep and suicidal depression.
The following drugs fall in this category:
A.Ephedrine
It is comes from a shrub-like plant called ephedra, which can be found in desert
regions in central Asia. The plant has several species, some of which are the ephedra
sinensis, ma huang and ephedra navadernsis. These plants contain alkaloids of ephedrine
and pseudoephedrine, which are psychoactive substances capable of affecting the central
nervous system.
The alkaloid ephedrine is present in large concentration in the ephedrine species.
Traces of the other alkaloid (pseudoephedrine) in the ephedras is negligible, although it
is far more powerful stimulant than ephedrine.
Ephedrine has amphetamine
- like properties. As an occasional drug of abuse, when taken beyond prescriptive
 does, some users had reported adverse effects like the following: hypertension,
palpitations, neurophaty, myopathy (muscle injury), psychosis, stroke, memory loss, and
irregularity of heart rate, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, seizures, heart attack and
death.
Ephedrine as a chemical substance was isolated from the ma huang plant in the year
1887 by a Japanese chemist Nagayoshi Nagai. A German chemist Lazar Edelean
synthesized it and called it phenylsopropylamine but later it turned out that the substance
did not show any pharmacological significance use. It was only in 1927 that turned out
to be a good substitute for ephedrine. In World War II, this drug was extensively used to
combat fatigue and as an energy booster by German, allied and Japanese soldiers and
pilots.
B.Amphetamines
Used medically for weight reducing in obesity, relief of mild depression and treatment.
It is the synthetic versions of ephedrine, are extremely more potent than ephedrine.
Amphetamine, along with its surrogate drugs like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta),
became a standard treatment for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder),
narcolopsy and some early days, it was also used as an appetite for losing weight.
During the Second World War, many soldiers on both sides used amphetamines as an
energy booster. Even Hitler himself was known to have made lavish use of this drug.
C.Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine (deoxyephedrine. Mathulamphetamine) is a sysnthetic derivative of
ephedrine or pseudodoephedrine. It is solid abroad under commercial brand names like
the following: Desoxyn, Methamphex, Methedrine and Pervitin. It has similar medical
uses as the amphetamines.
Methamphetamine (also known by its street name as “shabu”) is a favorite of abuse
among users mainly because of its rapid action in producing euphoria and excitement,
alertness and attention, wakefulness, enhanced energy and stamina and relief from
fatigue.

“Shabu/ ppor man’s cocaine”- chemically known as methamphetamine hydrochloride.

It is a central nervous system stimulant and sometimes called “upper” or “speed”. It is
while colorless crystal or crystalline powder with a bitter numbling taste. It can be taken
orally, inhaled (snorted), sniffed (chasing the dragon) or injected.
D.Cocaine
The drug taken from the coca bush plant (Erythroxylon Coca) grows in South
America. It is usually in the form of powder that can be taken orally, injected or sniffed
as to achieve euphoria or an intense feeling of “highness”. It is usually prepared and
dispensed in two formulations, to wit: (a) as a white powder (cocaine hydrochloride):
and (b) in a solid form like smell pellets called “track”.
The production of cocaine in its powdered form (cocaine hydrochloride) starts by first
soaking coca leaves in this, it is refined to turn it into a light brown paste, then dissolved
in sulfuric acid mixed with potassium permanganate and water. The resulting mixture
will be subjected to two filtration processes to produce a precipitate, which will be
heated and dried. After that, the solidified mixture will be cut into small pieces and
converted into a powder form called “cocaine base”. The powder produced will have
90% pure cocaine content.
 To produce a cocaine hydrochloride, it will require its crystallization by mixing the
powdered cocaine with hydrochloride acid or either and then it is heated. It is this kind
of snorting a line of the powder in a piece of paper.
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant, which is more addictive than the amphetamines. It is
a favorite drug of abuse in the American and European continents, but not in the
Philippines. It is dangerous classified as a Schedule 1 drug in the Convention of
Psychotropic Drugs of the United Nations.
E. Caffeine
It is present in the coffee, tea, chocolate, cola drinks, and some wake-up pills. As a
psychotropic chemical substance, caffeine can cause an arousal of brain, causing it to
release norephinerine neurotransmitters that will stimulate the adrenal glands into
releasing adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones. These hormones work on the heart
and lungs by increasing their activity.
Caffeine has many good medical uses. As stimulants, its moderate use (about 1 to cups
of strong coffee ar about 200 miligrams) can increase alertness, attention and the ability
to concentrate. Many users claim to also enjoy a mild euphoric feeling after taking
coffee. However, higher doses can cause nervousness and agitation. Blood pressure will
rise because of the constriction of blood vessels, and the increased activity of the heart
and breathing. People suffering from hypertention should therefore be cautioned in the
excessive intake of coffee because of its possible adverse effects on their health.
F. Nicotine
Nicotine is the principal constituent of tobacco. It can be used as an insecticide. In
chemistry, it is also the source of nicotine acid. In large dose nicotine it can paralyze yhe
autonomic nervous system by preventing the transmission of nerve impulses across
nerve cells, which can cause convulsions and death.
Nicotine has been proved to be addictive. Withdrawal sysmptoms characteristic of all
psychotropic stimulants also occur, but in a milder form.

HALLUCINOGENS (Psychedelic)
A hallucinogen drug is a drug that can change a person’s thought processes and
perceptions.
-The word “hallucinogen” is derived from the Latin word “aluricare”, which means “to
wander in mind, talk idly or prate”. A drug of this kind is sometimes called
psychotomimetic, psychedelic and illusinogen because of the belief that it could or
mimic signsof mental illness which is not however entirely, correct.
The group of drugs that consists of a variety of mind-altering drugs, which distort
reality, thinking and perceptions of time, sounds, space and sensation. The user
experiences hallucination (false perception) which at times can be strange. His “trips”
may be exhilarating or terrifying good or bad. They may dislocate his consciousness and
change his mood, thinking and concept of self.
A. Marijuana
it is the most commonly abused hallucinogen in the Philippines because it can be
grown extensively in the country. Many users choose to smoke marijuana for relaxation
in the same way people drink beer or cocktail in the end of the day. The effects of
marijuana include a feeling of grandeur. It can also produce the opposite effect, a
dreamy sensation of time seeming to stretch out.
 B. LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)
this drug is the most powerful of the psychedelics obtained from ergot, a fungus that
attacks rye kernel. LSD is 1000 times more powerful than marijuana as supply, large
enough for a trip can be taken from the glue on the flab of an envelope, from the paste of
a postage stamp, or from the hidden areas inside one’s clothes.
LSD causes perceptual changes so that the user sees colors, shapes, or objects more
intensely than normal and may have hallucinations of things that are not real. To him
real objects seem to change, building seem to be cracking open, and walls pulsating. He
experiences frequent bizarre hallucinations, loss spatial perceptions, personality
diffusion and changes in values. Usually, users perceive distortion of the time, colors,
sounds and depth. The experience “scent” music and sounds in “colors”.
C. Ecstacy
the drug MDMA (methylene dioxy methampethamine) which bears the street name
“ecstacy” is specially mentioned in Sec. 3, Article I of R.A. 9165 as a dangerous drug.
Ecstacy is a synthetic drug.
Ecstacy usually taken orally in a pill form that has varied colors (white, yellow or
beige). It could also be a pure powder form soluble in water that can be injected or
inserted into anus. It is absorbable in the gastrointestinal tract. The drug could attain a
peak level in just about an hour effects that could last from three to six hours. It is
absorbable in the gastrointestinal tract.
D. Peyote
Peyote is derived from the surface part of a small gray brown cactus. Peyote emits a
nauseating odor and its user suffers from nausea. This drug causes no physical dependence and,
therefore, no withdrawal symptoms, although in some cases psychological dependence has been
noted.
E. Mescaline
it is the alkaloid hallucinogen extracted from the peyote cactus and can also be
synthesized in the laboratory. It produces less nausea than peyote and shows effects resembling
those of LSD although milder in nature. One to two hours later the drug is taken in a liquid or
powder form, delusions begin to occur. Optical hallucinations follow one upon another in rapid
succession.
These are accompanied by imperfect coordination and perception with a sensation of
impeded motion, and a marked sense that time is still standing. Mescaline does not cause
physical dependence.
F. STP
STP (DOM; known on the street as STP, standing for "Serenity, Tranquility and
Peace") is a psychedelic and a substituted amphetamine.
It is a take-off on the motor oil additive. It is a chemical derivative of mescaline
claimed to produce more violent and longer effects than mescaline dose. Its effects are similar to
the nerve gas used in chemical warfare. It is less potent than LSD although its effects are similar
to those of psychedelics.
A hallucinogen related to mescaline and amphetamine and designated "STP" by hippies, along
with DOET, the ethyl homologue of DOM, were given in small doses to normal subjects in a
double-blind study. Both drugs increased self-awareness and produced mild euphoria but no
hallucinogenic or psychotomimetic effects. The two drugs "freed up" subjects' word associations
without impairing memory or concentration; in fact, DOM enhanced performance on serial
learning tasks.
G. Psilocybin
these hallucinogenic alkaloids from small Mexican mushrooms are used by Mexican
Indians today. These mushrooms indused nausea, muscular relaxation, mood changes with
visions of bright colors and shapes, and other hallucinations. These effects may last for four to
five hours and later may be followed be depression, laziness, and complete loss of time and
space perceptions.

H. Morning Glory Seeds

The black and brown seeds of the wild tropical morning glory that are used to produce
hallucinations. The seeds are ground into flour, soaked in cold water, then strained though a cloth
and drunk. They are sold under the names of “heavenly blues”, “flying dancers”, and “pearly
gates”. The active ingredient in the seed is similar to LSD although less potent. The reactions are
likened to those resulting from LSD. Prolonged psychosis is also one of its effect.

Sources of Dangerous Drugs

There are specific plants which are being processed to synthesize different drugs such
as the following:

A. Marijuana Plant
The term marijuana is a Spanish-Mexican term used to refer to the Indian hemp plant.
It is a plant that grows in tropical region and attains an approximate height of 15 to 20 feet.
Scientifically named as Cannavis Sativa Lima and a member of the Cannabanaceae family of
plants having a sexual differentiation of being a Dioucious (separate male/female plant).
The female plant is known as the Pistillate (shorter but long-lived) while the male plant is called
the Staminate (taller but short-lived). Its leaves formed a fingerlike look odd in numbers from 3
up to 13 fingerlike leaves. The stalk of the plant can attain a height of 3 to 16 feet while roots can
attain length of approximately 8 inches.
The resin called “hashish” can be found on the most top portion of the female plant.
The active ingredient or alkaloid of the plant is called “cannabin” (the one that produces the
physiological effect) or the Tetrahydrocannabinnol (THC)- the concentrated alkaloid which is 5
to 20 times stronger than the pain marijuana plant. The means of using the drug varies from
ingestion to smoking.
B. The Opium Poppy Plant
The opium poppy plant is scientifically known as “Papayer Somniferum”. The word
Papayer is a Greek term which means poppy while the word Somniferum is a Latin term which
means dream/induced sleep. The plant can grow from from 3 to 6 feet in height originally in
Mesopotamia. The Summerians called it as “Hul Gil” which means “plant of joy” due to its
joyful effect when administered. Its active ingredients is the Meconic Acid- the analgesic
property. The dangerous drugs can be derive from the plant are morphine, heroin, and codeine.

C. The Coca Bush Plant

The coca bush plant is scientifically known as “Erythroxylon Coca” common in South
America. The plant grows in mountainous and tropical climate areas, on clay like soil.
A full-grown cultivated coca plant attains a height of 6 to 8 feet and can be harvested 3
to 4 times in a year. The dangerous can be produced from this plant is the drug cocaine- the most
powerful natural stimulant known as cocaine hydrochloride.
1. Enumerate the factors in youthful drug abuse and explain in your own opinion.
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1. How would you handle the situation if someone in your family is dependent on
drugs?
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 1. Explain in your own opinion the mode of actions in chemical poisoning.
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1. Differentiate the difference between Addiction and Dependence.

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1. Briefly explain characteristics of Drug Addiction.

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