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CHAPTER 3

THE DANGEROUS DRUGS

A. According to Effects:

1. Depressants – those that depress the CNS

2. Stimulants – those that stimulate the CNS
3. Hallucinogens – those that distort perception, mind; alter moods (Manwong, 2002, p.50)

B. According to Medical Pharmacology:

1. Depressants
2. Narcotics
3. Tranquilizers
4. Stimulants
5. Hallucinogens
6. Solvents/Inhalants (Manwong, 2002, p.50)

The Depressants (Downers)

These are group of drugs, which suppress vital body functions especially those of the
brain or central nervous system with the resulting impairment of judgment, hearing,
speech and muscular coordination. They dull the minds, slow down body reactions to
such an extent that accidental deaths and/or suicides usually happen. They include the
narcotics, barbiturates, tranquilizers, alcohol and other volatile solvents. These drugs,
when taken in, generally decrease both the mental and the physical activities of the
body. They cause depression, relieve pain and induce sedation or sleep and suppress
cough. (Manwong, 2002, p.52)

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 disinfectant, as an external remedy for reducing high
fever among children, and as preservative and solvent for pharmaceutical
preparations like elixirs, spirits and tincture.

The Narcotics - are drugs, which relieve pain and produce profound sleep or stupor.
Medically, they are potent painkillers, cough depressants and as an active
component of anti-diarrheal preparations. Opium and it derivatives like morphine,
codeine and heroin, as well as the synthetic opiates, meperidine and methadone, are
classified as narcotics.

1. Opium – derived from a poppy plant – Papaver somniferum popularly known as

“gum”, “gamot”, “kalamay” or “panocha”.

Three powerful effects of Opium

1. Suppression of pain
2. a state of euphoria; and
3. other physiological effects that almost lead to addiction

Note: Chinese – they introduce opium smoking into the country.

2. Morphine - most commonly used and best used opiate. Effective as a painkiller
six times potent than opium, with a high dependence – producing potential.

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Morphine exerts action characterized by analgesia, drowsiness, mood changes,

and mental clouding.
3. Heroin – 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 on swallowed but is usually injected in
the veins.

4. Codeine – a derivative of morphine, commonly available in cough preparations.

These cough medicines have been widely abused by the young whenever hard
narcotics are difficult to obtain. Withdrawal symptoms are less severe than other
drugs.

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

a household remedy for diarrhea and abdominal pain.

6. Demerol and Methadone – common synthetic drugs with morphine – like

effects. Demerol is widely used as a painkiller in childbirth while methadone is the
drug of choice in the withdrawal treatment of heroin dependents since it relieves
the physical craving for heroin.

7. Barbiturates – are drugs used for inducing sleep in persons plagued with
anxiety, mental stress, and insomnia. They are also of value in the treatment of
epilepsy and hypertension. They are available in capsules, pills or tablets, and
taken orally or injected.

8. Seconal – commonly used among hospitality girls. Sudden withdrawal from these
drugs is even more dangerous than opiate withdrawal. The dependent develops
generalized convulsions and delirium, which are frequently associated with heart
and respiratory failure.

Tranquilizers – are drugs that calm and relax and diminish anxiety. They are used in the
treatment of nervous states and some mental disorders without producing sleep.

The Stimulants (Uppers)

They produce effects opposite to that of depressants. Instead of bringing about

relaxation and sleep, they produce increased mental alertness, wakefulness, reduce
hunger, and provide a feeling of well being. Their medical users include narcolepsy – a
condition characterized by an overwhelming desire to sleep. Abrupt withdrawal of the
drug from the heavy abuser can result in a deep and suicidal depression. (Manwong, 2002, p.54)

1. Amphetamines – used medically for weight reducing in obesity, relief of mild

depression and treatment
2. Cocaine – taken orally, injected or sniffed as to achieve euphoria or an intense
feeling of “highness”.
3. Caffeine – it is present in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola drinks, and some wake-up
pills.
4. Shabu/ “poor man’s cocaine” – chemically known as methamphetamine
hydrochloride. It is a central nervous system stimulant and sometimes called
“upper” or “speed”. It is white, colorless crystal or crystalline powder with a bitter
numbing taste. It can be taken orally, inhaled (snorted), sniffed (chasing the
dragon) or injected.
Note:
1. Shabu was discovered in Japan in 1919.
2. mid-80’s shabu was introduced in the Philippines.

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5. Nicotine – an active component in tobacco, which acts as a powerful stimulant

of the central nervous system. A drop of pure nicotine can easily kill a person.

The Hallucinogens (Psychedelic)

Consists of a variety of mind-altering drugs, which distort(twist/alter) reality, thinking

and perceptions of time, sound, 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. (Manwong, 2002, p.55)

1. 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 at 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.

Other Names for Marijuana:

Pot, Grass, Indan Hemp, “Damu”, Weed, Bhang, Ganja, Chards,

Dagga, Kif Hash, Hashish, Tea, Reefers, Cigarette, Stick, Joint, Smoke,
Straw, Live, Ped, Acapulco Gold, Bush, Butter Flower, Muggles, Griffe, Indian
Hay, Loco Weed, MJ, Mary Jane, Lole Weed, Mary Warner, Mehasky, Sativa,
Reach.

Classification of Marijuana:

Vietnam Green – coming from Southeast Asia & found to be twice as potent
as those varieties grown in the U.S.

Acapulco Gold – grown in Southern Mexico &may contain as much as 2-4%

THC.

Panama Red – grown in the canal zone and is reputedly the strongest of all.

Special Preparations of Marijuana:

Hashish or Charas – a preparation obtained by separating the pure resin

from the tops, leaves & stems of the plant. It is dark green or brown & is
smoked with tobacco in pipe. It is the most potent of all cannabis
preparations.

Bhang – the dried leaves & fruit shoots are used as an infusion in the form of
beverage. It is the least potent of all preparations.

Ganja – this consists of dried flowering tops of female plant with rusty green
color & characteristics odor. It is mixed with tobacco & smoke in pipe.

Majun – infusion of dried leaves & tops mixed with flour, butter & sugar.
Sometimes dhatura seeds are added to increase potency.

Reefers – dried leaves & stem are sliced & made into cigarettes & smoked.

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Note: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the primary active chemical of

Marijuana which induces relaxation and heightens the senses. (Solis, 1987, p.668)

Six Classification of Marijuana (Dioecious) (Manwong, 2002, p. 58)

a. Pistillate (female plant of marijuana) – shorter but long-lived

b. Staminate (male plant of marijuana) – taller but short-lived

2. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) – This drug is the most powerful of the
psychedelics obtained from ergot, a fungus that attacks rye kernels. LSD is 1,
000 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, buildings seem to be crackling open, and walls
pulsating. He experiences frequent bizarre hallucinations, loss spatial
perceptions, personality diffusion and changes in values. Usually, users perceive
distortion of time, colors, sounds and depth. They experience “scent” music and
sounds in “colors”.

3. 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.

4. 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 after 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.

5. STP – 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.

6. Psilocybin – This hallucinogenic alkaloid from small Mexican mushrooms are

used by Mexican Indians today. These mushrooms induced 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 by depressions, laziness, and complete loss of time and space
perceptions.
7. 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
8. although less potent. The reactions are likened to those resulting from LSD.
Prolonged psychosis is also one of its effects.

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Note:
1. Sedatives – drugs which may produce anxiety and excitement.
2. Super Mushroom – newest drug used as substitute to ecstasy. Same effect
as marijuana.
3. Ketamine or K – another new drug with physiological effect as shabu or
ecstasy.

Solvents/Inhalants – gaseous substances popularly known to abusers as “gas”,

“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 plastic bags, handkerchief or rags soaked in
these chemicals.

THE DRUG ABUSE JARGONS

Jargons Meanings
A bag A pocket of drug
A fix one injection of opiates
A Hit Slang for injection of drugs
Acid slang term for LSD
Acid Head LSD user
Central Nervous System Refers to the brain and spinal cord
Coke street slang for cocaine
Cold turkey withdrawal effect of opiate use
Downer street slang for depress
Drop taking drug orally
Flashback drug use after stoppage
Frontal Lobotomy Bardin surgery in the treatment of addicts to relieve the craving
Head drug user
High under the influence of drug
Joint am MJ cigar
Juni Heroin
Junkie An opiate addict
Mainline/ to shoot Injecting a drug into the vein
Maryland program A program where addict must report very evening to leave a urine
specimen, must attend group psychotherapy at the clinic once a week and
must maintain a job.
On-the-Nod/ Nodding suspended sleep
Opiate Narcotic
Overdose death occurred
Roach butt end of a joint
Rush the beginning of a high
Skin popping to inject a drug under the skin
Speed Amphetamines
Speed Freaks amphetamines addicts
Stoned the intoxicating effect of a drug
Track scars on the skin due to injection
Trip reaction that is caused by drugs
Uppers street slang for amphetamine
Work apparatus for injecting a drug
Hallucination A false perception
The day top lodge A residential facility designed to erase the ex-addicts transition into
community life
Sajja of Thailand A vow to get rid of drugs and herbal treatment for a week in a monastery

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