SCOPE OF THE LECTURE
A. OVERVIEW B. CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS C. DRUG DEPENDENCY AND ABUSE D . IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SHABU E. HOW TO DETECT SHABU USERS F. LOCAL TERMS/PHRASES G. PENALTIES H. SOCIETY’S ROLE
Overview Dangerous Drugs classified as prohibited and regulated, has so far been an ever-continuing plague that had swept through almost all the countries all over the world. Reported recently by the concerned government agencies and published in newspapers, the Philippines being one of the poorest country in Asia, is the favorite transit point of illegal drugs by foreign drug syndicates and local drug lords as well. These powerful vultures have found their way through the pockets of corrupt officials from the government and its local agencies. This is in addition to the fact that our international sea and airport, lack trained personnel, system and gadgets in detecting the smuggle of these illegal drugs.
The situation had been advantageous to drug syndicate in making the cost of operation less expensive. This is another reason why they have chosen the Philippines as their drug’s trade. Almost all types of drugs that circulate in the Philippines came from foreign sources except marijuana which is already being grown in some forested and swampy areas in the country. There have been reported situations wherein government agents have penetrated some plantations in the remote mountain province which led to the arrest of violators and the uprooting of these marijuana plants. Some of these plantations are being maintained by government leftist to generate income and finance their illegal activities.
Most dangerous drugs are from foreign sources and are mostly coming from other Asian countries like Taiwan, Hongkong, Korea and Japan, while others are coming from the U.S.A. For some who were not well informed, most dangerous drugs command a very high price in the streets and had an overwhelming demand. With the ever increasing demand for these drugs, most of the enterprising drug dealers have become millionaires. The proliferation of illegal drugs in the country would not be easy if we would only rely on the government. Since drug abuse and trafficking is a menace of the society as a whole, each citizen could play an important role as support to our government’s campaign against these illegal activities.
At present, our government is blanketed with economic problems sided by graft and corruption which were the major cause for our government’s incapacity to combat effectively the present drug situation. We have no sufficient manpower and logistics to face the problems head-on, its about time that we, citizens give concern and get involved in the fight against these menace to society for the welfare of our own families.
CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS A. Legal Classification: 1. Prohibited Drugs>this includes opium and its active components and derivatives, such as Heroin and Morphine, Coca Leaf and its derivatives and other substances producing similar effects. (Ex. Marijuana)
2.
Regulated Drugs>which contains salt or a derivatives of a salt of barbaric acid, or any drug which produces a physiological action similar to amphetamines or hypnotic drugs. (Ex. Methampethamine Hydrochloride or “SHABU”)
DRUG DEPENDENCY AND ABUSE We are familiar with the terms drug abuse, drug addiction or drug-dependency and the more popular street terms such as Users or Addicts. These terms are common but some of us would still be confused as to how or when to use such terms in addressing a drug victim. These are all relative terms and will only differ from each slightly. One common thing about these words is, they all have something to do with drug users. All these are called stages of drug use.
DRUG DEPENDENCY AND ABUSE STAGES OF DRUG ADDICTION: A. Use> taking drugs as prescribed or administered to a recipient by a medical practitioner for beneficial purposes such as to remedy or to cure an ailment. B. Drug Abuse> defines as an act of taking or administering a drug (narcotic drugs) in ways than that prescribed. It is also defined as a drug misuse or unsupervised use of a drug that may lead to addiction. C. Drug Dependence> state of psychological or physical dependence or both which results from chronic, periodic or continuous use of narcotic drugs or mind altering chemicals. (Ex. Alcohol)
D. Drug Addiction>state of physical, psychological tolerance of an individual to high dosage resulting from prolonged excessive use of narcotic drugs. It is an individual’s dependence upon a drug. E. Drug Habituation> psychological desire to repeat the use of drugs occasionally or continuously because of emotional reasons. Most common reasons are dulling of reality, euphoria and escape from tension.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SHABU A. APPREARANCE AND FORM: Shabu is a white odorless crystal or crystalline powder that have a bitter numbing taste. It is also similar in form with that of the innocent “tawas”. B. STREET NAME: Shabu or “Poor Man’s Cocaine” is also popularity called by its street names such as ‘S”, Bato, Crystal, Otabs, Shabs, Shampoo, Sharon or Staff and Shit. There are scientific slang names for this drug such as Speed, Uppers, Wake-ups, Stimulants, Pep-pills or Jolly Beans.
METHODS OF USE A. Injection> with the use of syringe B. Sniffing/Snorting>smoke inhaling through the nose C. Sipping> smoke inhaling through the mouth PARAPHERNALIAS A. Aluminum Foil, Burner (Improvised Rolled Toilet Paper or Facial Tissue), Straight Pipe/Glass Straw/Tooter, Water Pipe, Wok
HOW TO DETECT SHABU USERS Shabu users are easily to detect since they will show obvious signs such as the following: 1. They will appear to be skin and bones 2. Abnormal cheerfulness
3. Unusual increase in activity regardless of time. 4. Loss of interest in career, ambition or studies 5. Inability to sleep or irregular sleeping habits 6. Perspires profusely on the forehead 7. Hands are cold and may tend to be trembling 8. Talkativeness 9. Constant wetting of lips by tongue
10. Over aggressiveness 11. Irritability 12. Paranoid reactions
LOCAL TERMS/PHRASES Some terms or remarks heard that would lead to a suspected user or to positively identify them:
1. “Gisingin mo nga ako” or “May pang gising ba tayo riyan”> the key word is gising (to wake up) SHABU. 2. Score “to buy”. “Pa-biyahe” >soliciting contribution to buy the stuff. PSG “Pang-sariling Gamit. 3. Batak “pot or jam SHABU with each other 4. Panundot “follow-up session due to subsiding effect 5. Tulak, Laktu or Lactogen “refers to drug pusher 6. Runner “middleman between buyer and pusher 7. Piso “refers to a small quantity of SHABU 8. Bato “refers to SHABU and others.
POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS AND THEIR PENALTIES 10 GRAMAS OR MORE OF OPIUM,MORPHINE,HEROIN,COCAINE,COCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE,METHAMPHETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE OR SHABU,MARIJUANA RESIN OR MARIJUANA RESIN OIL,OTHER DANGEROUS DRUGS 500 GRAMS OR MORE MARIJUANA LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE RANGING FROM P500,000.00 TO TEN M PESOS(P10,000,000.00)
PENALTIES Sec. 12. Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus and Other Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs.
PENALTY of imprisonment ranging from 6 months and one day to 4 years and a fine ranging from P 10,000.00 to P 50,000.00.
PENALTIES Sec. 15. Use of Dangerous Drugs FIRST OFFENSE: PENALTY of a minimum of 6 months rehabilitation in a government center. SECOND OFFENSE: PENALTY of imprisonment from 6 years and one day to 12 years and a fine ranging from P 50,000.00 to P 200,000.00
PENALTIES Sec. 16. Cultivation or Culture of Plants Classified as Dangerous Drugs or are Sources Thereof. PENALTY of life imprisonment to death and a fine from 6 years and one day to 12 years and a fine ranging from P 500,000.00 to P 10,000,000.00
Society’s Role in the Fight Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking
THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE: The present government headed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo together with the law makers from Senate, the Provincial Leaders in the House of Representative, officials from the Local Government, plus the Philippine National Police have evidently been very active campaigning against drug abuse.
THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE The government created the Dangerous Drugs Board whose task is to handle rehabilitation program for victims and drug abuse and likewise make strategies on drug related matters. There are also leaders from the Barangay level who actively participate in the campaign by coordinating with the police agencies, giving them the list of names of people who are involve in drugs in their areas of responsibility.
THE YOUTH ROLE Report to your school authorities the presence of drug pushers/users in your school. If you know some friends who are into drugs you can help them by trying to convince them to stop and instead join you and get busy with your worthwhile legal activity. If you always have plenty of spare time and you are getting bored, use your time instead by indulging yourself in sports or something that interest you which is legal, worthwhile and productive.
THE PARENT’S ROLE The parents can help by having constant communication with their children and attend to their needs. Parents should hesitate to bring their child whom they are sure to be into drugs, voluntarily to a rehabilitation center for professional psychological or psychiatric evaluation.
THE PARENT’S ROLE You can also save your children from being victimized by pushers, by reporting to the authorities concerned the presence of drug pushers or any illegal drugs related activities. Parents should take the initiative to educate their children on the ill effects of drugs. Do not allow your children to be in the company of their friends whom you are aware to be in drugs use.
THE PARENT’S ROLE Spend more quality time with your children. During vacation time from their schools, keep them busy by allowing them to indulge in extra curricular activities, sports, civic work or anything that would keep their minds away from drugs. You can initiate a move within your area to form a group consisting of other parents and encourage vigilance keeping watch and monitor illegal activities and coordinate with proper authorities.
SAY NO TO DRUGS, Because Drugs End All Dreams
THANK YOU AND HAVE A NICE DAY
