DRUG ABUSE IN THE PHILIPPINES FROM 1990-1998

Thesis: Drug abuse is not just affecting the drug user but also his or her family, his or her workplace, and

the country in general.

I. Introduction

A. Background Information (paragraph 2)

B. Peoples attitude on the problem ((paragraph 5)

C. Scope of the problem (paragraph 3)

II. The Body

A. Drug Menace in the Country from 1990-1998

1. Approximate number of dependents in the country (paragraphs 7-10)

2. Profile of Drug Users (paragraph 10-13)

B. Effects of Drug Abuse

1. On the User Himself/Herself (paragraph 14-16)

2. On his/her family (paragraph 17)

3. In his/her Workplace (paragraph 18-20)

D. On the society in general (paragraph 21)

III. Conclusion

A. Impending Results if problem on drug abuse remain unsolved (paragraph 24-25)

E. Encouragement to participate in an all-out war against drug abuse (paragraph 26-27)

 DRUG ABUSE IN THE PHILIPPINES IN THE PAST EIGHT YEARS

(1990-1998)

Drug abuse is a sure visa to HELL via the trail of self-destruction. This is the statement of

Senator Vicente Sotto III delivered at t. Paul College in 1992. His pronouncement gives a vivid picture of

how serious this problem is.

What is drug abuse? Drug abuse, as defined by World Health Organization, is the persistent or

sporadic excessive drug use inconsistent with or unrelated to acceptable medical practice. Drug abuse

may also be defined as the use of any drug to the point where it interferes with the individuals health or

his economic or social adjustment (

This problem is not just a problem of just one nation or two. This is worldwide in scope. Even

the lone superpower in the world, the United States, was alarmed by the ever increasing number of drug

addicts in their country. It was estimated that there are 20 million Americans who are drug dependents

in 1993 posing a major problem to the pace and order situation in their country (

But here in the Philippines, the problem concerning drug abuse seems to be existing in silence.

There is not much information dissemination through different media about this problem. Drug abuse

seems to be covered up by so many controversial national issues. Instead of this problem, what

became the topic of conversation of people in every corner of the streets, parlor, stands, barber shops,

and other public places are the MNLF rebels in Mindanao, the Leo Echagaray execution, the dispute

between neighboring Southeast Asian countries including Philippines claiming ownership of Spratleys,

the suspended peace negotiation between the government and the NDF (National Democratic Front),

the graft and corruption charges against former First Lady Imelda Marcos, and any more.

Because of this, people lack in awareness on how serious drug abuse is at present. Many are not

alarmed by this problem. They dont know that to date, drug abuse has become not only a mere

problem, but it is also considered and epidemic worse than AIDS or a hepatitis outbreak.
 With this background information, it is hoped that this research paper will provide more

information on this ever alarming problem that it threatens the stability of our family, society, and nation

as a whole.

The figures presented by many sources concerning drug abuse in the Philippines from 1990

showed that there is a fast increase of drug users in the country. In 1990, there were approximately

500,000 drug users that were recorded in the country. The Narcotics Group as published in the July 8,

1997 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that in 1990, the profile of drug abuse drastically

changed. The average of drug users was already 24 years of age as compared to 18 years old in the 80s.

In 1991, the total number of drug users increased. Shabu users alone were reported to be at

600,000. Historically, shabu was first introduced to the country by drug lords who had established ties

with Hongkong-based syndicates in 1991. A trusted source also revealed that shabu users in this

particular year rose to a sharp 2000% increase in the past two years, reputedly the highest in the world.

But the most horrifying fact is that even school children were also hooked on drugs. According to

a recent survey, there were about 25,000 school children who were taking drugs.

In 1992, there were approximately 800,000 drug dependents in the country in which 300,000

from it came from Metro Manila (Harapa, 1997). The complete profile of the Filipino drug users in this

particular year is as follows:

Age - twenty-four (24) years old

Sex - predominantly male

Civil Status - single

Family size - three (3)

Occupation - unemployed

Educational Attainment - High school level

Economic Status - Middle Income

 Place of Residence - Urban, specifically Metro Manila

Duration of drug-taking - more than two years

IQ - average

Nature of drug-taking - Poly-drug User

(Sotto III, 1993).

In 1993, although the exact data on the number of drug users in this particular year was

unavailable, we could just analyze from 1990-1992 statistics that drug users continue to increase year by

year. In fact, in order to support the growing demand of drug users for prohibited substances, PNP

Narcotics Command reported that illegal drug trade has grown into a Php 30billion-a-year industry

(Harapa, 1997). This means that drug supplies continue to gain big sums of money from this illegal

activity as many individuals also continue to be hooked on this pernicious vice.

Planas (1994) said that there was a definite shift in addiction pattern from the age bracket of 14

to 18 years which in the past was the victimized sector to the age group which comprises the most

number of residents at the rehabilitation centers.

She added that in 1994, there were more female victims of drug addiction statistics showing an

increase in the ratio from one female per 10 addicts two years ago (1992) to one female per 10 addicts in

1994 (Cruz, 1994).

Regular use of marijuana can cause short-term impairment of perception and judgment,

accelerated heart beat, reproductive and hormonal disorders, possible harm to the fetus in case of

pregnancy, lung problems and weakening of the immune system.

It also becomes a passageway for young people to experiment with other more powerful drugs

which can cause serious and obvious alterations in ones behavioran overdose of heroin, in other cases

can cause death as it paralyzes the respiratory muscles. Overdose of barbiturates or downers can cause

shock , coma, and heart failure. Cocaine poisoning is also a possible cause of heart spasms and stoppage
of breathing that can also cause psychotic behavior There are also the so-called psychedelics like the

LSD or lysergic acid which can produce terrifying hallucinations that may lead to suicide

This is also the reason why addicts, according to Ronquillo, et. Al (1997), are prone to

malnutrition, skin infections, skin rashes, and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, bronchitis,

bronchial asthma, and viral hepatitis

Perhaps the most devastating effect of drug abuse on society is the damage caused to the

traditional family structure, when one member of the family is a drug user, be it a parent, child or other

relatives. It causes disruption and disharmony within the family and every member is directly affected.

Drug addicts often become so obsessed with the habit that they lose touch with reality and have no

concern for the needs and situations of other family members.

Drug abuse also affects the workplace or industries. According to the survey on alcoholism and

drug-related problems in the workplace in 1990 conducted and initiated by Ariel Castro of Ecop

(Employees Confederation of the Philippines), it indicated a high awareness level of drug dependency

problems in the workplace, and 87% believed that such problem has serious consequences, such as

endangering health and safety or workers, productivity and profits (Cruz, 1994).

The United Nations also stressed that drug-related problems in the workplace, cause sloppy

workmanship, combined with rising health-care cost a and lost productivity which increases and

employers cost of doing business. Moreover, defective products and services pose danger and health-

hazards to the public. It is the consumer who eventually bears the brunt of economic costs of drug.

The individual could not anymore contribute something good to his job because he may

gradually adopt and unexplained apathy towards life, with and accompanying loss of potential (Ramirez,

1997).
 Lastly, it affects the stability of the society in general. In 1997, the Social Weather Stations

survey showed that drug addiction is the second most important crime problem in the country, next to

increase in crime rate (Ramirez, 1997).

The Philippines indeed, is facing this problem which is larger and more sinister than other social

ills. In fact, this is considered as worse than AIDS or hepatitis outbreak (Cruz, 1994) considering the

immense continuous growth of drug abuse as well as drug trafficking in the country. If there will be no

solution to minimize this problem, then a grim scenario will take place in the country as predicted by the

U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

The beast prowls the streets to hire the moneyed , the pleasure-seekers, the young, the weak,

the desperate and the poor with tantalizing promise of heightened senses, temporary escape or the fast

buck. Soon enough, the dream turns into a nightmare with criminality, violence and broken men trailing

the beast. The killing proceeds non-stop. The drug cartel holds no sacred cows, claiming the lives of

judges, presidential candidates, senators, government officials, and thousands of other defenseless

individuals, who, knowingly or unknowingly, get in its way (Adams, 1992).

This is the impending scenario of the Philippines in the coming years if we fail to curb the spread

of the drug menace. Have you ever imagined even once that Philippines turned into another Colombia?

Colombia , to note, is a nation where many public officials, business magnates and politicians are at the

beck and call of powerful drug syndicates which have challenged authorities. They held in their hands

the political destiny of the State (Harpa, 1997).

The reimposition of the death penalty or widely known as R.A. 7959 which amended R.A. 6425

(Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972) on 1994 against selling or possessing 750 grams of narcotics is a good

start in an all-out war against prohibited drugs (Ramirez, 1997).

However, this is not only the concern of the government alone. Everyone has the task to curb

drug menace in the country by extending support or aid to the government. The future of the Philippines
is at risk. Drug abuse continues to spread its pernicious effects to all ages. Everyone should not be deasf

and blind in front of this problem that seriously endangers the lives of the future Filipino generation. The

statement of Senator Vicente Sotto III is an inspiration in the continuous fight against drug abuse. He

said:

Its time that everyone wakes up and put a stop to this (drug abuse) or else the country will be

turning into another Colombia (Cruz, 1994).

 References

Adams, G.R. and Gollota, 1992. Adolescent: Life experiences. 2nd ed. Belmont, California: Brooks/Cole

Publishing Company.

Cruz, John C., 1994. Adolescent drug dependency. Unpublished Thesis. New Era University.

Gardner, J. N. and Jeweler J., 1992. Your college experience strategies for success. Belmont, California:

Wadsworth Publishing Company.

Harapa, S.G., Perez, R.B., and Suzana, T.S., 1997. Current social issues. Revised ed., Quezon City,

Philippines: Rex Bookstore.

Ramirez S. and J.C. Salazar, 1997. Social dilemnas and issues their implications to Philippine national

development. Quezon City: ABC Publishing Co., Inc.