THE EFFECTS OF THE DRUG ABUSE
DEFINITION OF TERMS;
• DRUG ABUSE - Is the illegal, wrongful or improper use of any
drug.
• DEPRESSANTS ( DOWNERS ) - these are drugs which suppress
vital body functions epecially those of the brain or central nervous
system with the resulting impairment of judgement, hearing,
speech, and muscular coordination.
• STIMULANTS ( UPPERS ) - opposite of the depressants, this
drugs produce mental alertness, wakefulness, reduce hunger, and
provide a feeling of well being.
• HALLUCINOGENS ( PSYCHEDELICS ) - This are mind altering
drugs, which distort reality thingking and perception of time,
sound, space and sensation.
THE EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE
A. THE GENERAL EFFECTS OF DRUGS ABUSE
AS TO 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.
BODY EFFECTS:
A. severe gastrointestinal disturbances that results to
B. dehydration
AS TO PHYSICAL EFFECTS:
B. SKIN INFECTIONS AND SKIN RASHES
Often times the drug abusers neglects his personal hygiene,
uses un sterilised needles and syringes that result to skin
infections or even ulcerations at the sites of the needle puncture.
BODY EFFECTS:
Possible effect of Marijuana: SOME VARIOUS
INFECTIOUS DESEASES
Tuberculosis a. viral hepatitis
bronchitis b. HIV Infections/AIDS
bronchial asthma
AS TO PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS:
PSYCHOLOGICAL MALFUNCTIONS SUCH AS;
• Deterioration of personality with impaired emotional
maturation.
• impairment of adequate mental functions.
• loss of drive and ambition.
• development of psychosis and depression.
• loss of interest to study.
• laziness, lethargy, boredom and restlessness.
• irritability and rebellious attitude.
• withdrawn forgetfulness
AS TO SOCIAL EFFECTS:
• Conflict to authority.
• commission of crimes.
• social maladjustment; loss of desire to
work, study and participate in activities or
to face challenge.
AS TO MENTAL EFFECTS:
• The drug abusers may experience adverse effect of the
central nervous system; otherwise depress nervous
system
• changes of mind and behavior that undesirable to the
people in his environment.
• deterioration of mind
• the abusers will be under the control of drugs in the time
that he do not know what is right.
• loss of interest and motivation
• his character becomes weak and unable to cope with his
problem.
AS TO THE ECONOMIC EFFECT:
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 and drugs.
B. DEPENDENCE ON FAMILY RESOURCES
Instead of contributing to the economic stability of the
family, a dependent becomes an economic burden. He
rely on the family resourses to provide him money to
support of his expensive habit.
AS TO THE ECONOMIC EFFECT:
A. 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. Sometimes conflict within his co-workers.
B. SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE ON
DANGEROUS DRUGS
THE DEPRESSANTS:
A. NARCOTICS
• produces lethargy and drowsiness
• pupils are fail to respond to light
a. Heroin in powder; causing nostrils redness and
irritations
b. Injecting Heroin; leaves scars on the inner
surface of the arms and elbows
B. SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE ON DANGEROUS
DRUGS
• A. NARCOTICS
the users scratches self frequently, loss of appetite,
sniffles, running nose, red watery eyes, and coughing which
disappears when users gets a “fix”.
B. BARBITURATES AND TRANQUILIZERS
• Symptoms of alcohol odor or alcohol on breath,
• staggering or stumbling
• falling asleep unexplainably
• drowsiness
• lack of interest in school and family activities
B. SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE ON
DANGEROUS DRUGS
C. VOLATILE SOLVENTS
• Unusual odor of subtances on breath and clothes
of the users.
• excessive nasal secretions.
• watering of eyes.
• poor muscular control.
• increased of preference of being in a group rather
than being alone ( example: in a gang of addict )
B. SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE ON DANGEROUS
DRUGS
THE STIMULANTS
A. (AMPHETAMINES/COCAINE/SPEED/UPPERS)
1. Pupils may be dilated.
2. mouth and nose dry, bad breath, licks lips frequently.
3. goes long period without eating or sleeping; nervous; has
difficulty sitting still.
4. chain smoking.
5. if injecting drug, users may have hidden eye droppers
and neeedles among possessions
B. SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE ON
DANGEROUS DRUGS
B. SHABU ( METHAMPHETAMINES
HYDROCHOLORIDE )
1. Produces elevations of mood, hightened
alertness and increased energy.
2. some individuals may become anxious,
irritable, or laquacious.
3. causes increased appetite and insomnia.
B.SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE ON
DANGEROUS DRUGS
THE HALLUCINOGENS
C. MARIJUANA ( smoking drugs )
1. may appear animated with rapid, loud talking and burst of
laughter.
2. sleepy or stuporous.
3. pupils are dilated.
4. odor ( similar to burnt rope ) on clothing or breath.
5. remnants of MJ, either loose or in partially smoked “
joints “ in clothing or possessions.
B. SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE ON
DANGEROUS DRUGS
D. LSD/STP/DMT
1. user usually sits or reclines quitely in a dream or trance
like state.
2. user may become fearful and experience a degree of
terror which makes him attempt to escape from his group.
3. senses of sight, hearing, touch, body image and time are
distorted.
4. mood and behavior are affected, the manner depending
upon emotional and environmental condition of the user.
C. DANGERS OF ABUSE OF THE DANGEROUS
DRUGS
THE DEPRESSANTS
Users of the depressant drugs may suffer the following:
a. death due to respiratory arrest.
b. in large doses can cause respiratory
depression and coma, the combination of
depressants and alcohol can multiply the effect
of the drugs thereby multiplying the risk.
C. DANGERS OF ABUSE OF THE DANGEROUS
DRUGS
c. Babies born to mothers
who abuse depressants
during pregnancy may be
physically dependent on the
drug and show withdrawal
symptom shortly after they
are born. Birth defects and
behavioral problems may
also result.
C. DANGERS OF ABUSE OF THE DANGEROUS
DRUGS
THE STIMULANTS
Users of stimulants may suffer the following:
a. Death due to infections, high blood pressure.
b. Extremely high doses can cause a rapid or irregular
heartbeat, tremors, loss of dination, and even physical
collapse.
C. DANGERS OF ABUSE OF THE DANGEROUS
DRUGS
SHABU
a. Overdose leads to chest pains, hypertension, acute
psychotic reaction, convulsions and death due to cardiac
arrest.
b. Due to the appetite suppressing effects of shabu,
pregnant mother may become malnourished. This may
effect the nutritional needs of the baby.
c. Babies born to shabu-using women show sever
emotional disturbances.
C. DANGERS OF ABUSE OF THE DANGEROUS
DRUGS
THE HALUCINOGEN
User of hallucinogens may suffers the following:
a. Can lead to serious mental changes (psychoses) like
insanity, suicidal and/or homicidal tendencies.
b. Poor impulse control.
c. Damage to chromosomes, hence, affecting potentially the
offspring.
d. Death due to paralysis of the respiratory system.
