Drug AbuseModule 2

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IntroductionThis module tackles the following topics:

A brief history and background of drug abuseA description of drug abuse and the most

commonly abused drugsThe effects that different drugs have on the

body as well as their short and long term consequences

The reasons that people take drugs

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Brief HistoryCannabis or marijuana was

grown in China from as early as 4,000 BC

Cocaine has been known to be worshipped by the Aztecs and Incas from South America

Drugs can be grouped based on their effects: “downers” or depressants, and “uppers” or stimulants

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DRUG SUBSTANCE

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ABUSE: Involves the repeated and excessive use of chemical substances to achieve a certain effect

DEPENDENCE: being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)

TOLERANCE: Occurs when a person’s reaction to a drug decreases and larger doses are required to achieve the same effect

ADDICTION: Involves compulsion to continue using the substance despite the negative consequences

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What are “ UPPERS” and “ DOWNERS” ?

“UPPERS” or STIMULANTS- Induces temporary improvements in either mental or physical function or both. It enhances alertness, awareness, wakefulness, endurance, productivity, and motivation, increased arousal, locomotion, heart rate, and blood pressure, and diminished need for food and sleep. Many stimulants are also capable of improving mood and relieving anxiety, and some can even induce feelings of euphoria.

“ DOWNERS” or DEPRESSANTS-decreases mental and/or physical function, are in stark contrast to stimulants.muscle relaxation, lowered blood pressure/heart rate, respiratory depression, moist mouth, weight Gain, and asleep. Some are also capable of inducing feelings of euphoria.

 What are the Most Commonly Abused Drugs? 

1. Prescription Drugs:ValiumCodeineTylenolDemerolMorphine

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Immediate EffectsEuphoriaPain reliefSlowed breathingIncreased pulse rateNausea Lowered blood pressureLowered body temperature

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2. Illegal Drugs:Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa)Shabu (Methamphetamine Hydrochloride)

Ecstasy (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine

or MDMA)Others

(Opiates/ Narcotics, Bangkok Pills, Cocaine, Sedatives)

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Marijuana Marijuana, or

Cannabis Sativa, is most often rolled into a “joint” and smoked like a cigarette

Marijuana is generally classified as a “downer”

When smoked, effects generally last from one to three hours

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Immediate Effects:Distorted perceptions (sights, sounds, time, touch)

Problems with memoryLoss of coordinationTrouble with problem-solvingReduced blood pressure

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Long Term Effects:Increased risk of chronic pulmonary disorders, including cancer

Decrease in testosterone levels for men Increase in testosterone levels for women

Lower sperm counts and difficulty having children in men

Increased risk of infertility in women Diminished or extinguished sexual pleasure Red Cross Youth

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Marijuana: Did you know?While marijuana is illegal in the Philippines,

some countries such as the US and Canada regulate the use of the plant for medicinal purposes. Cannabis is indicated for treating and preventing nausea and vomiting, stimulating hunger in chemotherapy and AIDS patients and for the treatment of glaucoma due to its lowering of intraocular pressure, as well as a non-addictive general analgesic or painkiller.

Individual studies also have been conducted indicating cannabis to be beneficial to several other conditions running from multiple sclerosis to depression.

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ShabuShabu, or

Methamphetamine, is considered an “upper”

Users may become hypersexual or obsessed with a task, thought or activity

Withdrawal is characterized by excessive sleeping, eating, depression, anxiety and drug-craving Red Cross Youth

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Immediate Effects:

Anorexia HyperactivityDilated pupilsFlushingRestlessnessDry mouthHeadache

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Long Term Effects

Dependence and addiction psychosis

ParanoiaHallucinationsMood disturbancesRepetitive motor activity

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StrokeWeight lossTooth decay Rapid heart rateHyperthermia (elevated body temperature)

Inflammation of the heart lining

DeathRed Cross Youth

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the different parts of the body and how they are affected by shabu

EcstasyMethylenedioxymethampheta

mine (MDMA) with its street name “ecstasy” is a psychoactive drug

It produces entactogenic, psychedelic, and stimulant effects

It also induces a sense of intimacy with others and diminished feelings of fear and anxiety, hence making the drug of choice in clubs, parties and discos

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Immediate Effects:Reduced insecurity, defensiveness, and fear of

emotional injuryDecreased irritability, aggression, anger, and

jealousyA sense of increased insightfulness and introspectionMild psychedelia (colors and sounds are enhanced,

mild closed-eye visuals, improved pattern recognition, etc)

Enhanced tactile sensations (touching, hugging, and sex for example all feel better)

Mental and physical euphoriaA sense of general well-being and contentednessDecreased negative emotion and behavior such as

stress, anxiety, fear, and paranoiaRed Cross Youth

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The long term effects of this drug have not been studied in detail, although initial research shows that ecstasy reduces the levels of serotonin (the hormone responsible for making a person feel happy) and other chemicals in the brain, possibly leading to depression.

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Opiates/ NarcoticsOpiates, sometimes called

narcotics, are a group of drugs that are used medically to relieve pain, but have a high potential for abuse.

Some opiates come from a resin taken from the seedpod of the Asian poppy.

Opiates that are commonly abused are Opium, Morphine, Codeine, and synthesized or manufactured opiates.

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Opium poppy flower

SHORT TERM EFFECTS:Rush of euphoria, an increase in body temperature, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in their limbs. The user then spends the next few hours alternating from a wakeful to a drowsy state.

LONG TERM EFFECTS:May develop collapsed veins, infections in their heart and valves, and liver disease. Because opiates depress respiration, pulmonary complications, such as pneumonia.

Bangkok PillsOne of the latest drugs out

in the market today is the infamous Bangkok pills.

These pills are not registered with the Bureau of Food and Drugs, which is why they are not legally allowed to be placed on the local market, because of the unsafe combination of substances in the product.

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Did you know??Bangkok pills contains Ephedrine is an

asthma drug that is structurally similar to amphetamines or "speed". It is found in its natural form, ephedra, in the Chinese herb ma huang. The drug's stimulant effect increases heart rate, metabolic rate and alertness; Fenfluramine and phentermine are the infamous duo otherwise known as "fen-phen“ which results to the same effect of Ephidrine.

CocaineCocaine is a drug from

the leaves of the Coca plant, a shrub that originated in South America. This drug affects the central nervous system as a stimulant ( upper).

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SHORT TERM EFFECTS:Increased blood pressure, Constricted blood vessels, Dilated pupils, Mental alertness, Increased energy, Increased heart rate, Decreased appetite & Increased temperature.LONG TERM EFFECTS:Some of the these complications include heart disease, heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, seizures, and gastrointestinal problems. Other physical symptoms include convulsions, nausea, blurred vision, chest pain, fever, muscle spasms, and coma.

SedativesSedative-hypnotics such

as tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and sedatives are drugs, which depress or slow down body functions or they are considered as depressants (downers). These drugs can be dangerous when not taken according to physician's instructions.

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Why Do PeopleAbuse Drugs?

Family Problems Taking drugs is much more common among

people from broken homes, and those at risk from drugs range from as young as 7 to 17 years old.

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Peer Pressure One’s peer group or “barkada” has a huge

influence on the choices that one makes. The role of the barkada becomes all the more important for teens who come from broken families, as they feel that they closer ties to their group than to their family. A common quote illustrates this way of thinking:

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“Buti pa ang barkada kapamilya,

ang pamilya di kabarkada.”

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Problem-solver/ Stress relief

Some people say the taking drugs makes them “feel” good and so they are able to forget their problems in life. However, not only do drugs fail to solve the problems that are causing stress in the first place, they also create problems that always make the situation worse.

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Curiosity Young people have a natural tendency to

want to try new things. While this inquisitive nature in itself is not harmful, it can lead to drug abuse if a child or teenager does not get the proper information about drugs and their harmful effects.

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Factors in the Community

The role that the community plays is important. Factors such as the accessibility of drugs and the general tolerance or acceptance of drug use in a community can contribute to a person taking drugs.

The media has a part to play in influencing decisions regarding alcohol and other drug use.

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