Prohibited Drugs and their effects

CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS
a) Prohibited Drug - Which includes opium and its active components and derivatives, such as heroin and
morphine; coca leaf and its derivatives, principally cocaine; alpha and beta eucaine; hallucinogenic drugs, such as mescaline,
lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and other substances producing similar effects; Indian hemp and its derivatives; all preparations
made from any of the foregoing; and other drugs and chemical preparations, whether natural or synthetic, with the physiological
effects of a narcotic or a hallucinogenic drug; or (As amended by B.P. 179 dated March 2, 1982).
b) Regulated Drug - Which includes self-inducing sedatives, such as secobarbital, phenobarbital, pentobarbital,
barbital, amobarbital and any other drug which contains a salt of a derivative of a salt of barbituric acid; any salt, isomer or salt of
an isomer, of amphetamine, such as benzedrine or dexedrine, or any drug which produces a physiological action similar to
amphetamine; and hypnotic drugs, such as methaqualone, nitrazepam or any other compound producing similar physiological
effects; (As amended by PD No.1683 dated March 14, 1980) .

MARIJUANA
(HARMFUL EFFECTS)
Marijuana, often called grass, pot, or weed is a crude drug made from Cannabis sativa, a plant that contains a mind-altering
(psychoactive) ingredient called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Marijuana slows down the user’s mental and psychomotor activities. Users don’t remember what they have learned
when they are high. The effects of marijuana can also impair thinking, reading comprehension and verbal and mathematical skills.
Marijuana creates other health problems related to: the reproductive system, the heart, the lungs. It has been found that
marijuana use may lead to cancer. Long-term regular use of marijuana may lead to psychological dependence. Once started, it
may take more of the drug for the user to get the same effect.
Young marijuana users are more likely to go on experimenting with other drugs.

IMMEDIATE EFFECTS:
LONG TERM EFFECTS:
* Faster heartbeat and pulse rate
* Chest pain
* Bloodshot eyes
·* Irregular menstrual cycle
· * Dry mouth and throat
·* Temporary loss of fertility for both sexes
· * Altered sense of time/disorientation
·* Premature babies/low birth weights
· * Forgetfulness/inability to think
* Cancer
· * Impaired reflexes, coordination and concentration
* Marijuana “burn-out” (dull, slow moving, inattentive, and
* “Acute panic anxiety reaction” – extreme fear of losing
unaware of surroundings)
control.

SHABU
(HARMFUL EFFECTS)
Shabu is a white odorless crystal or cyrstalline powder with a bitter numbing taste. In the street name for the chemical
substance known as Metamphetamine. It is also popularity known as “poor man’s cocaine”. Other slang names are “shabs, ubas,
S, siopao, sha and ice”.
ACUTE: LONG-TERM EFFECTS:
* Produces anxiety, irritability, irrational behavior, - Psychiatric consequences are the major features of chronic
talkativeness and “Shabu” abuse and dependency. Prolonged use and even a
 loss of self control.
* Results in loss of appetite and inability to sleep.
* Can lead to acute psychotic reactions, violent and
destructive
behavior and recklessness that may result in accidents.
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS:
- Include chest pain, irregularity of heartbeat,
hypertension, convulsion
and death from cardiac arrest.
PSYCHOLOGICAL & PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE:
This chemical substance is known to produce psychological
and physical dependency. These are characterized by
anxiety, tension and
craving for the substance. This substance-seeking behavior
can lead to various criminal and other anti-social acts.
Withdrawal symptoms occur when drug use is abruptly
stopped. Among these are feeling of apathy, hypersomnia
(excessive period of sleep) and depression. Depression may
lead to suicide.
single exposure especially if administered intravenously can
lead to manifestations of a full blown psychosis which is similar
to schizophrenia characterized by the presence of paranoid
delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations. The paranoia may
lead to violent and aggressive behavior.
- Some chronic users have difficulty concentrating or
remembering things. Diminished ability to cope with problems
and difficulties in facing reality are common. Loss of interest in
sex, ambition or motivation may also result.
- Chronic snorters may suffer from severe irritation of the
nasal passages and at times may even develop tissue
perforation of the nasal bleed. Renal damage, heart disease
and strokes have been documented among chronic abusers.
- Injecting “shabu” from contaminated needles may lead to risk
of infections resulting in inflammation of the blood vesels
(Phebitis), infection of the heart valves (Endocarditis), blood
poisoning (Septicemia), and the most dreaded disease AIDS,
all of which can lead to death.

INHALANTS
(HARMFUL EFFECTS)
LONG TERM EFFECTS:
IMMEDIATE EFFECTS:
Loss of memory
Confusion/Disorientation
Inability to think
· Distorted perception of time & distance
· Muscle cramp and weakness
· Aggressive behavior/violence
· Numbness in limbs
· Hallucination
· Abdominal pains
· Illusions
· Damage to the central nervous system, kidneys and liver
· Nausea and vomiting
· Bone marrow depression

SEDATIVE/HYNOTIC DRUGS
(HARMFUL EFFECTS)
Sedative-Hypnotics (tranquilizers, sleeping pills, sedatives) are drugs which depress or slow down body functions. These are
drugs that can be dangerous when not taken according to a physician’s instructions.

· * Slurred speech

· * Poor judgment

* Regular use of the sedative and hypnotic drugs can cause both physical and psychological dependence. User will
have to take larger

doses to get the same effects.

· * Users feel they used the drug to function.

· * When regular users stop using these drugs suddenly, they may develop physical-withdrawal symptoms such as
restlessness, insomia,
 anxiety, convulsion or death.

ECSTACY
Ecstacy is the name given to 3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) by a Los Angeles manufacturer of the drug in order
to market it. Other street names of MDMA or “Adam” or XTC is a synthetic, PSYCHOACTIVE (mind allering) drug with
hallucegenic and amphetamine like properties. Its chemical structure is similar to two other synthetic drugs, MDA and
methemphetamine which are known to cause brain damage. MDMA is a so called “designer drug” which are known has become a
worldwide problem as well as a serious health threat. It is known to be the cause of several deaths in the US and Europe.

PNP Home | Home |