Soc Sci 1: Current Social Issues

A Paper on Drug Addiction in

the Philippines

Researchers:
Jude Daryl L. Clario
Yves Christian I. Auxtero
Submitted to:
Mr. Agbayani

Drug Addiction in the Philippines

1. The Problem
Drug Addiction is a condition characterized by an overwhelming
desire to continue taking a drug to which one has become habituated
through repeated consumption because it produces a particular effect,
usually an alteration of mental status.
Reports of drug related crime are common in the Philippines. It does
seem that illegal drug use is on the rise, and this has worrying
implications for the future. There is an urgent need to educate young
people as to the dangers of drug use, and there is also a great need to
help those who are already addicted to escape their misery. Failure to do
this could mean there will be further deterioration within many Filipino
communities.
A US government report in 2009 concluded that illegal drug use was
a significant problem in the Philippines due to corruption and poor law
enforcement. There was particular concern expressed about the amount
of methamphetamine (shabu) and cannabis production in the area. Drug
addiction appears to be on the rise in the Philippines. There are believed
to be as many as 6.7 million drug abusers according to figures from 2004this is a dramatic increase from 1972 when there was only believed to
have been around 20,000 drug users in the Philippines. The drug that is
most abused in the Philippines continues to be Alcohol they are the
second highest consumers of alcoholic drinks in South East Asia.
Drug abuse leads to many problems such as:

The individual does not have to be abusing a substance like shabu long
before they become addicted.

Those individuals who become addicted can become obsessed with

their habit. This means that everything else in their life will take
second
place.

The individuals behaviour will change. They may become physically

violent or engage in other types of bad behaviour.

Those who abuse these drugs can struggle to keep down a job. They
may
become
unemployable.

Drug Addiction in the Philippines

Young people who use these substances will be unable to perform well
in school or college. This means that they will be limiting their future
opportunities.

When drug users run out of money to feed their habit they will be
tempted to turn to crime. This may mean stealing from family and
friends
or
from
complete
strangers.

Many addicts fall into a life of crime and eventually end up in prison or
worse.

If the drug addict is unable to escape this behaviour it is highly likely to

lead to their death. This individual will shorten their lifespan as a result
of
their
behaviour.

Illegal drug users run the risk of overdose. It can be difficult to assess
the strength of illegal drugs, and it can be similar to playing a game of
Russian roulette every time the addict uses these substances it is
even possible for people to die of an overdose after only trying illegal
drugs one time.

2. Related Literature
2.1.

WebMD

Drug addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that

causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences
to the drug addict and those around them. Drug addiction is a brain
disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and
function of the brain. Although it is true that for most people the initial
decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time the changes in the brain
caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and
ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time create an intense
impulse to take drugs.
It is because of these changes in the brain that it is so challenging
for a person who is addicted to stop abusing drugs. Fortunately, there are
treatments that help people to counteract addiction's powerful disruptive
effects and regain control. Research shows that combining addiction
treatment medications, if available, with behavioural therapy is the best
way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches that are

Drug Addiction in the Philippines

tailored to each patient's drug abuse patterns and any concurrent

medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to sustained recovery
and a life without drugs.

2.2.

Mayo Clinic

Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a dependence

on a legal or illegal drug or medication. Keep in mind that alcohol and
nicotine are legal substances, but are also considered drugs.
When you're addicted, you're not able to control your drug use and
you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes. Drug
addiction can cause an intense craving for the drug. You may want to quit,
but most people find they can't do it on their own.
Drug addiction can cause serious, long-term consequences,
including problems with physical and mental health, relationships,
employment, and the law.
You may need help from your doctor, family, friends, support groups
or an organized treatment program to overcome your drug addiction and
stay drug-free.
3. Hypothesis
Drug dependence or addiction in the Philippines has become a severe
social problem for its adverse effects upon our most precious resource,
the Filipino youth.
Continued use of drugs not only causes physical and psychological
dependence of drugs but also causes a person to be on the wrong path of
life.
Drug addiction can destroy a persons life, his/her familys life, and the life
of the people around him.
The drug problem has become a social cancer, a malignant problem that
has afflicted even public officials, rich and poor, young and old alike.

Drug Addiction in the Philippines

4. Analysis to Related Literature

4.1.

Mayo Clinic

Drug addiction as we define it today is limited only to those which

are considered illegal. We ignore the fact that nicotine and alcohol which
are commonly seen today are also drugs.
Prolonged use of drugs can affect
environment, including the people in it. Yet
craving that comes with it, there are a
prolonged use but avoiding prolonged use is
4.2.

you and your surrounding

the problem with drug is the
lot of consequences for its
hard enough to begin with.

WebMD

Drug addiction affects your brain in ways the user cannot notice.
The structure and functions of your brain are changed and over time you
find yourself controlled by your intense impulse towards them rather than
self control.
Medications are available, and combining these with behavioural
therapy is the best way to get rid of the users addiction.
5. Solution
According to psychologists and psychiatrists, a happy family is the
best solution to avoid drug addiction. In that way, guardians and parents
can monitor the child and guide them in living their life in the right way.
While the best solution for drug addiction itself is establishing a Drug
Rehab Program to all Filipino citizens. Its the most effective way to save
ones life from being ruined because of drug dependence.
To meet the challenge of the drug addiction problem, several
measures both private and governmental are being taken. Violators of
narcotic laws who make known to the authorities the fact of their
addiction and their desire to be cured are referred to the Addiction
Institute of the National Bureau of Investigation so that they may undergo
treatment and rehabilitation.
On another front, a new organization, the Narcotic Foundation of the
Philippines has recently been formed. This is a private association not
related to Government institutions and treatment and reorientation of
young addicts, and to educate the public against the dangers of drug

Drug Addiction in the Philippines

addiction. It is to be hoped that the efforts made by this newly founded

organization, along with the efforts of the Addiction Institute and other
interested bodies, will help the country to eventually cope with the
alarming growth in local drug abuse.