Substance Abuse Education
Substance Abuse Education
OVERVIEW
Drug education is an important strategy for reducing the extent of drug related incidents among young
people. Effective drug education program need to build knowledge and increase the competency of
students to act in safe ways when presented with challenging situations.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
ACTIVITY
1. Drug Addiction and Abuse: Is it Disease or a Choice?
2. What can you do to help your friend who is addicted to drugs?
3. How can you tell if a person is on drugs?
ANALYSIS
ABSTRACTION
SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION
DRUGS
Drugs are chemicals that affect a person in such
a way as to bring about physiological,
emotional, or behavioural 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.
WHAT IS ADDICTION?
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.
Drug Abuse: By the Numbers, Estimated Drug Users in the Philippines: 1.3 Million, Mean Age: 20-
29 years old, Ratio of Male is to Female Users: 10:1
Commonly Abused Substances:
(1) Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (Shabu) (3) Inhalants (Contact Cement
(2) Cannabis (Marijuana)
Substance abusers can be classified according to the frequency of their substance use.
1. Experimenters – people who abuse the drug(s) for experimental basis.
2. Occasional Users – abuse the drug occasionally/whenever there are special occasions. They abuse the
drug once every two (2) weeks to two (2) times a week.
3. Regular Users – abuse the drug on a regular basis approximately three (3) to four (4) times a week or
every other day.
4. Drug Dependents – people who tend to abuse the drug(s) everyday (almost every day) or about five
(5) to seven (7) times a week.
5. Mentally Ill Chemical Abuser/Substance Induced Psychosis – drug abusers who manifest signs and
symptom of psychotic disorders caused by the effects of drugs (hallucinations, disorientation, delusions,
etc.)
CLASSIFICATION MANAGEMENT
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Analysis
1. Does marijuana use lead to the use of other drugs?
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2. If you are addicted to drugs, what should you do?
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3. Why do some people addicted, while other don’t?
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4. Are all drugs addictive? What makes them addictive?
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Application
1. Differentiate between Drug Dependency from Addiction
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2. What properties in drugs make them addicting?
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KEY POINTS
> Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or
difficult to control, despite harmful consequence.
> 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 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.
>.If you think your friend has a serious drug problem the most immediate things you can do is offer
him or her support. Talk to your friend and let them that you are concerned that you are there for them.
> .Each drug of abuse is unique and will act on the brain in a different way. However all drugs share a
something in common a chemical called dopamine. When a person uses a drugs their brain release
dopamine to produce the feeling of being high.
> Prescription drug abuse is the use of a prescription medication in a way not intended by the prescribing
doctor. Prescription drug abuse or problematic use includes everything from taking a friend's prescription
painkiller for your backache to snorting or injecting ground-up pills to get high.
> Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking,
continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain.
> General signs of addiction are: lack of control, or inability to stay away from a substance or behavior.
decreased socialization, like abandoning commitments or ignoring relationships. ignoring risk factors,
like sharing needles despite potential consequences.
LOOKING AHEAD
Congratulations for making it till the end of this module! If you aced the assessment, I am happy for you.
If you have not reached your desired level of competence, just keep going! Remember that an
expert was once a beginner.
The next topic will deal on the Drug Education! Happy learning
SELF-EVALUATION
Rate the extent of your learning in this module using the scale blow. Check the column
corresponding to your rating in the space provided. Do not hesitate to contact me if you need
further assistance.
4- I’m an expert. I understand and can teach a friend about it.
3-I’m a Practioner. I understand and can cite examples on the topics given.
2- I’m an apprentice. I understand if I get help or look at more examples.
1- I’m a novice. I do not understand the topic.
My learning: 1 2 3 4
I can now
REFERENCES
Andres, Tomas Quintin.: “And the PinoyManager said… „Bahalana!‟” Philippine Values Digest. Manila, Philippines:
Values and Technologies Management Centre, 1986.
Kartagi, Grietje.: “Introduction to Values.” Reflections on Values. Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc., 2000.
Panopio, Isabel S.: Sociology: Focus on the Philippines. Quezon City, Philippines: KEN Incorporated, 1994.
Espiritu, Socorro C. et.al.: Sociology in the Philippine Setting Fifth Edition. Quezon City: SIBS Publishing House, Inc. 1998
WEBSITES: http://www.cls.binghamton.edu/BassSteid.html
http://www.shef.ac.uk/~iwp/publications
http://www.opsltd.com
Date Accomplished:_______________________
Now that you finished the review of the various concepts outlined above, it is now time for an assessment
to see how far you improved. Write your answer on the space provided for each question.
This quiz is to help you find out what you already know about drugs, the effects they can have on your
body, the laws about legal and illegal drugs, how you keep yourself and your mates safe in situations.
1. ___________________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.
3. _________________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.
4. ___________________ 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.
5. ___________________ abuse the drug on a regular basis approximately three (3) to four (4) times a
week or every other day.
1._______ The effects of inhalants are similar to that of alcohol, including slurred speech, lack of
coordination, euphoria and dizziness. Inhalant abusers may also experience light headedness,
hallucinations, and delusions.
2._______Drug education 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.
3.________Marijuana use has not been linked to several medical and social problem in adults and young
people.
1. Dope, gunga and weed are all street or slang names for which drugs?
a) Cannabis b) Alcohol c) Cocaine d) Don’t know
3. Smoking tobacco or cannabis using an implement (eg. bong, shisha or hookah) will not reduce the
damage to your lungs.
a)True b) False c) Don’t know
5. If a young person under 18 years of age drinks alcohol they can affect the healthy development of their
brain.
a) True b) false c) Don’t know
6. If a woman drinks alcohol while she is pregnant or breastfeeding it can cause damage to the baby.
a) True b) False c) Don’t know
10. A drug conviction may affect your future employment and travel goals.
a) True b) false c) Don’t know
11. L and P plate drivers and riders must have a Blood Alcohol Concentration of zero.
a) True b) False c) Don’t know
13. If your mate has had too much to drink, should you:
a) Leave your mate alone to sleep it off
b) Stay with your mate and watch while he/she drinks some water and has something to eat
c) Encourage your mate to drive or walk home
d) Don’t know
14. Your mate has been using drugs and is on the ground unconscious. You want to call an ambulance. If
you do:
a) You will all be arrested by the police for using drugs
b) Your mate will be arrested by the police for using drugs
c) You will be able to get help for your mate from the ambulance officers and the police who are only
concerned about safety
d) Don’t know
15. The best thing to do if someone has a bad reaction to alcohol or a drug is to:
a) Watch them until it is out of their system
b) Call for help from an adult and/or an ambulance
c) Leave them alone
d) Hope they come right with time
e) Don’t know