DRUG ADDICTION

Presented by:

DICKSON, Paula Carmela, GEPTE, Chiella Mae,

PANELO, Isabella, RAMOS, Yvette, SEBASTIAN, Jemaima Romlene

 See

“The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use,
except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of
and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation
in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.”

-Catechism of the Catholic Church, Article 5, 2291

D
RUGS—how can a five-letter-word be so inevitable and addictive that
it could create chaos from yourself and eventually from the people
around you. It is a domino effect or a chain reaction that occurs when
a small change causes a similar change nearby, which then will cause
another similar change, and so on.

It 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. Addiction is

usually accompanied by a compulsion to obtain the drug, a tendency to increase

the dose, a psychological or physical dependence, and detrimental consequences

for the individual and society. Common addictive drugs are barbiturates, alcohol,

and morphine and other opioids, especially heroin, which has slightly greater

euphorigenic properties than other opium derivatives.

 Drug addiction is a complex brain disease. It is characterized by compulsive,

at times uncontrollable, drug craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the face

of extremely negative consequences.

Drug seeking becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of the effects

of prolonged drug use on brain functioning and, thus, on behaviour. For many

people, drug addiction becomes chronic, with relapses possible even after long

periods of abstinence.

Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes

compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to the individual

who is addicted and to 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 send intense impulses 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 tailored to each patient’s drug abuse

patterns and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to

sustained recovery and a life without drug abuse.

WHY IS IT AN ISSUE?
 A survey was conducted in Miriam College to find out the attitudes of 50

college students toward drug addiction. Based form the results, 100 % of them were

not taking up illegal drugs but we have identified five possible reasons why some

people use drugs as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Pie Graph Representation of the Possible Reasons People Use Illegal Drugs

Figure 1 shows that 50% of the respondents feel that experimentation and

curiosity are the first factors that draw many people into trying drugs. They want to

feel that “high”, the sense of euphoria that comes with drug use. It is normal for

most of us college students to be curious and the best way we should do is to

simply recognize it; nevertheless, don’t be too driven with your emotions and try it.

Moreover, 20% of the respondents feel that people who use drugs are having

a hard time coping with their family problems. These people are in need of attention

and love. There is a commercial of Lucky Me! wherein it promotes Family Day. It is

indeed important to tell our joys and sorrows to our family every now and then

because if we keep on relying your own self, then, you might end up on a wrong

decision. The number one group that is affected the most when a person is in illegal
drugs is the family. The user's preoccupation with the substance, plus its effects on

mood and performance, can lead to marital problems and poor work performance or

dismissal. Drug use can disrupt family life and create destructive patterns of co-

dependency, that is, the spouse or whole family, out of love or fear of

consequences, inadvertently enables the user to continue using drugs by covering

up, supplying money, or denying there is a problem.

Meanwhile, 18% of the respondents say that peer pressure is a factor in drug

use. Peer pressure is also a factor in turning people into drug addicts. Contrary to

popular belief, peer pressure can happen at any age. Adults fall prey to peer

pressure to fit into new social classes, new workplaces and new neighborhoods.

College students fight peer pressure on everything from looks to alcohol to sex to

drugs. In fact, using shabu is becoming a way for many teenage girls to fight the

pressure that comes with needing to be thin and attractive.

A feeling of rejection and depression are also identified as causes of drug use.

Emotional problems and drugs are a bad combination. Stress and problems with

family, work, or school can sometimes trigger emotional problems. Drugs mask

these problems for the user but ultimately make it worse. However, people with

good emotional health have learned ways to cope with stress and problems without

the need of drugs Emotional problems and drugs go hand and hand. The severity of

emotional problems and drugs is associated with increased likelihood of adolescent

drugs use.

The combination of emotional problems and drugs can cause someone to do

things they might not do otherwise like: driving at dangerous speeds or other

daredevil acts, taking too many drugs which may result in anger, violent behaviour,
or depression which can intensify as more drugs are consumed, commit suicide or

physical and sexual assaults, make family life chaotic, cause emotional problems in

their children which can last into adulthood and decrease work or class attendance

and performance.

Lastly, one out of the 50 respondents says that drugs can turn people into

addicts because they have conditions in which they need to take drugs in order to

get relief. People become hooked on prescription drugs when they take more than

the recommended dosage.

INTERVIEW:

MRS. ROSARIO R. MAGAT

PROJECT COORDINATOR

RANDOM DRUG TESTING

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

1.How many were positive in the recently concluded Random Drug Testing
in Schools?
There are 89 confirmed positive for drug use 84 for marijuana and 3 for shabu.

2.When was it done?

February 2009 up to March 2010 covering 4091 0r 36.97 % secondary schools in

the different regions excluding ARMM

3.How many positives were from private schools? Public schools?

Private – 36 Public - 53

4.Which is the higher? Private or public?

Public

5.What do you think are the reasons?

Because there were more schools visited for random drug testing and according to

students security in the public schools are more lax.

6. What is Health and Nutrition Center

It is the office in the Department of Education under the Office of the Secretary

Armin Luistro that takes charge of the management of the Integrated School Health

and Nutrition Program which aims to improve the state of health and nutritional

wellbeing of the school populace. Under it are 139 medical officers or doctors, 729

dentists,3254 school nurses 570 dental aides. It has several programs one of which

is National Drug Education Program or NDEP which is in charge of Prevention and

Control of Drug Abuse in Schools. Random Drug Testing is one of its activities which

is being done in coordination with Department of Health,

7. What is the legal basis for Drug Education in schools?

Article IV Section 43 of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as “Comprehensive

Dangerous Drug Act of 2002” which mandates that instruction on drug abuse
prevention and control shall be integrated in the elementary, secondary and tertiary

curricula of all public and private schools whether general,technical,vocational or

industrial as well as non-formal and indigenous learning system.

8.What is the legal basis for Random Drug Testing of Students?

Article II Section 36 of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the

“Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

9.Who are going to be tested?

Based on the implementing guidelines as adopted by the Dangerous Drugs Board

Resolution No.6 s.2003, random drug testing shall be applicable to students in

public, private secondary,tertiary/higher education institutions and post secondary

technical vocational schools.

10.Who pays for the drug test?

The government shoulders the cost

11.How does the Department of Education respond to the problem of drug

abuse?

The Department implements the National Education Program which has the
following major components:

a. curriculum and instruction,

b. co curricular and ancilliary services

c. parent education and community outreach

d. teacher/staff development

e. research, monitoring and evaluation

12. What is random drug testing

It is a procedure to determine the presence or absence of a substance in the body

and the selection of students through the unbiased process of generating random

numbers using computer of scientific calculator.

13. What are the purposes of random drug testing?

a. to determine the prevalence of drug users among the students

b. to assess the effectivity of school based and community based prevention

programs

c. to deter adolescents from initiating the use of illegal drugs

d. to give adolescents a reason to resist per pressure to use illegal drugs

to facilitate the referral/treatment of drug users and dependents

d. to strengthen the collaboration efforts of identified agencies against the

use of illegal drugs and in the treatment of drug users and dependents

14. What is the screening test?

Refers to a test to find out if a person is negative or positive for drug use using a

test kit that test a person’s urine for the use of marijuana and shabu. Confirmatory

test is needed if the student is found positive

15. Who shall conduct the Random Drug Testing ?

Personnel from DOH with DepED,for secondary, CHED for tertiary and TESDA for
vocational schools

16. How is random drug testing results treated?

It shall be treated with utmost confidentiality and shall guarantee and respect the

personal privacy and dignity of the students. No school shall publish or post results

whether positive or negative

17. What should be done in case the drug test is confirmed positive

A student with drug result confirmed positive shall then undego the prescribed

intervention program under the supervision of the DOH accredited facility or

physician or private practitioners in consultation with the parent. Such process of

observation and counseling shall be done in coordination with the drug counselor of

the school and the Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD) through

its local social welfare office

18. What disciplinary consequence the student face?

None. Positive drug test result shall not be a ground for expulsion or any disciplinary

action against a student

19. What are the possible intervention for students found positive for drug
use?

Intervention may include any or a combination of the following therapies. This may

include rehabilitative actions that may take the form of crisis intervention, peer

counseling, peer leadership programs parent/peer group or psychological

counseling at the individual or family level and structured rehabilitation programs.

DOCUMENTARIES

One example is the Life story of the rock star Kurt Cobain and how
drug addiction destroyed him.

Kurt Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and artist, best

known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana. Cobain

formed Nirvana with Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1985 and

established it as part of the Seattle music scene, having its debut album

Bleach released on the independent record label Sub Pop in 1989. After

signing with major label DGC Records, the band found breakthrough success

with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" from its second album Nevermind (1991). This

caused Nirvana to be considered "the flagship band" of Generation X, and

Cobain hailed as "the spokesman of a generation". [2] Cobain however was

often uncomfortable and frustrated, believing his message and artistic vision

to have been misinterpreted by the public, with his personal issues often

subject to media attention. He challenged Nirvana's audience with its final

studio album In Utero (1993). During the last years of his life, Cobain

struggled with heroin addiction, illness and depression, his fame and public

image, as well as the professional and lifelong personal pressures

surrounding himself and his wife, musician Courtney Love. On April 8, 1994,

Cobain was found dead at his home in Seattle, the victim of what was

officially ruled a suicide by a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. The

circumstances of his death have sometimes become a topic of fascination

and debate. Since their debut, Nirvana, with Cobain as a songwriter, sold

over twenty-five million albums in the US alone, and over fifty million

worldwide. Throughout most of his life, Cobain suffered from chronic

bronchitis and intense physical pain due to an undiagnosed chronic stomach

condition. His first drug experience was with marijuana in 1980, at age 13.

He regularly used the drug during adulthood. Cobain also had a period of

consuming "notable" amounts of LSD, as observed by Tracy Marander,]and

"really into getting fucked up: drugs, acid, any kind of drug", observed Krist

Novoselic; Cobain was also prone to alcoholism and solvent abuse. Cobain's

cousin Beverly, a nurse, claimed Cobain was diagnosed with attention-deficit

hyperactivity disorder as a child, and bipolar disorder as an adult. She also

brought attention to the history of suicide, mental illness and alcoholism in

the Cobain family, noting two of her uncles who had committed suicide with
guns. Cobain's stomach condition was emotionally debilitating to him, and he

intermittently tried to find its cause, usually at the insistence of Love. None

of the many doctors he consulted were able to pinpoint the specific cause.

He suffered from an acute self-consciousness and developed a poor body

image, due to his low body weight; which was primarily due to

malnourishment caused by his stomach condition, poor diet (as attributed by

numerous doctors), or a combination of both. Cobain's first experience with

heroin occurred sometime in 1986, administered to him by a local drug

dealer in Tacoma, Washington who had previously supplied him with

Percodan. He used heroin sporadically for several years, but, by the end of

1990, his use developed into a full-fledged addiction. Cobain claimed that he

was "determined to get a habit" as a way to self-medicate his stomach

condition. "It started with three days in a row of doing heroin and I don't

have a stomach pain. That was such a relief," he related. His heroin use

began to affect the band's Nevermind supporting tour, Cobain fell

unconscious during photo shoots. One memorable example came the day of

the band's 1992 performance on Saturday Night Live, where Nirvana had a

photographic session with photographer Michael Levine. Having taken heroin

beforehand, Cobain fell asleep several times during the shoot. Cobain

divulged to biographer Michael Azerrad, "I mean, what are they supposed to

do? They're not going to be able to tell me to stop. So I really didn't care.

Obviously to them it was like practicing witchcraft or something. They didn't

know anything about it so they thought that any second, I was going to die."
Slowly, Cobain's heroin addiction worsened. His first attempt at rehab was

made in early 1992, not long after he and Love discovered they were going

to become parents. Immediately after leaving rehab, Nirvana embarked on

their Australian tour, with Cobain appearing pale and gaunt while suffering

through withdrawals. Not long after returning home, Cobain's heroin use

resumed. Prior to a performance at the New Music Seminar in New York City

in July 1993, Cobain suffered a heroin overdose. Rather than calling for an

ambulance, Love injected Cobain with Narcan to bring him out of his

unconscious state. Cobain proceeded to perform with Nirvana, giving the

public no indication that anything out of the ordinary had taken place.

Death
Main article: Death of Kurt Cobain

Following a tour stop at Terminal Eins in Munich, Germany, on 1 March 1994,

Cobain was diagnosed with bronchitis and severe laryngitis. He flew to Rome

the next day for medical treatment, and was joined there by his wife on 3

March 1994. The next morning, Love awoke to find that Cobain had

overdosed on a combination of champagne and Rohypnol. Cobain was

immediately rushed to the hospital, and spent the rest of the day

unconscious. After five days in the hospital, Cobain was released and

returned to Seattle. Love later stated that the incident was Cobain's first

suicide attempt.]
On 18 March 1994, Love phoned Seattle police informing them that Cobain

was suicidal and had locked himself in a room with a gun. Police arrived and

confiscated several guns and a bottle of pills from Cobain, who insisted that

he was not suicidal and had locked himself in the room to hide from Love.

When questioned by police, Love said that Cobain had never mentioned that

he was suicidal and that she had not seen him with a gun.

Love arranged an intervention regarding Cobain's drug use on 25 March

1994. The ten people involved included musician friends, record company

executives, and one of Cobain's closest friends, Dylan Carlson. The

intervention was initially unsuccessful, with an angry Cobain insulting and

heaping scorn on its participants and eventually locking himself in the

upstairs bedroom. However, by the end of the day, Cobain had agreed to

undergo a detox program. Cobain arrived at the Exodus Recovery Center in

Los Angeles, California on 30 March 1994. The staffs at the facility were

unaware of Cobain's history of depression and prior attempts at suicide.

When visited by friends, there was no indication to them that Cobain was in

any negative or suicidal state of mind. He spent the day talking to counselors

about his drug abuse and personal problems, happily playing with his

daughter Frances. These interactions were the last time she would see her

father. The following night, Cobain walked outside to have a cigarette,

climbed over a six-foot-high fence to leave the facility (which he joked earlier

in the day would be a stupid feat to attempt). He took a taxi to Los Angeles

Airport and flew back to Seattle. On the flight, he sat next to Duff McKagan of
Guns N' Roses. With Cobain's own personal animosity towards Guns N'Roses

and specifically Axl Rose, Cobain "seemed happy" to see McKagan. McKagan

later stated he knew from "all of my instincts that something was wrong." On

2 April and 3 April 1994, Cobain was spotted in various locations around

Seattle, although most of his close friends and family were unaware of his

whereabouts. He was not seen on 4 April 1994. On 3 April 1994, Love

contacted a private investigator, Tom Grant, and hired him to find Cobain.

On 7 April 1994, amid rumors of Nirvana breaking up, the band pulled out of

that year's Lollapalooza music festival. On 8 April 1994, Cobain's body was

discovered at his Lake Washington home by an electrician who had arrived

to install a security system. Apart from a minor amount of blood coming out

of Cobain's ear, the electrician reported seeing no visible signs of trauma,

and initially believed that Cobain was asleep until he saw the shotgun

pointing at his chin. A suicide note was found, addressed to Cobain's

childhood imaginary friend "Boddah", that said, paraphrasing, "I haven't felt

the excitement of listening to as well as creating music, along with really

writing . . . for too many years now". A high concentration of heroin and

traces of Valium were also found in his body. Cobain's body had been lying

there for days; the coroner's report estimated Cobain to have died on 5 April

1994.

A public vigil was held for Cobain on 10 April 1994 at a park at Seattle Center

drawing approximately seven thousand mourners. Prerecorded messages by

Krist Novoselic and Courtney Love were played at the memorial. Love read
portions of Cobain's suicide note to the crowd, crying and chastising Cobain.

Near the end of the vigil, Love arrived at the park and distributed some of

Cobain's clothing to those who still remained. Dave Grohl would say that the

news of Cobain's death was "probably the worst thing that has happened to

me in my life. I remember the day after that I woke up and I was heartbroken

that he was gone. I just felt like, 'Okay, so I get to wake up today and have

another day and he doesn't.'" While also believing that he knew that Cobain

would die at an early age, saying that "sometimes you just can't save

someone from themselves", and "in some ways, you kind of prepare yourself

emotionally for that to be a reality." Dave Reed, who for a short time was

Cobain's foster father, said that "he had the desperation, not the courage, to

be himself. Once you do that, you can't go wrong, because you can't make

any mistakes when people love you for being yourself. But for Kurt, it didn't

matter that other people loved him; he simply didn't love himself enough."

A final ceremony was arranged for Cobain by his mother on 31 May 1999,

attended by both Courtney Love and Tracey Marander. As a Buddhist monk

chanted, his daughter Frances Bean scattered his ashes into McLane Creek

in Olympia, the city where he "had found his true artistic muse."

Cobain's artistic endeavours and struggles with heroin addiction, illness and

depression, as well as the circumstances of his death have become a

frequent topic of fascination, debate, and controversy throughout the world.

DOCUMENTARY #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af3RjDntlhs&feature=related

It’s entitled “Face of Addiction- the effects of crystal meth.” It documented

the pictures of a lady from before until after (over a few years) she was on

crystal meth and the results were very horrifying.

One commented:

You got to keep in mind a lot of them are born into families of meth users

or friends and peer pressure result into them getting hooked. This is by no

means an excuse but people are not aware how powerful the drug is and

how addicting it can be, it destroys lives and I truly do feel sorry for the

users..also people do it that are having problems in their lives which just

magnifies them...really sad.:[

DOCUMENTARY #3

A short film on Drug addiction by Loyola College Physics Department

Students 2006-2009 in India. They are not any media professionals or Visual

Communication ( Viscom ) guys. It’s just a film taken for submission to clear

a paper but nevertheless an informative one. It shows how a simple student

could be influenced with vices starting from his first puff of the cigarette,to

his first taste of alcohol then to drugs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQRzii3lsAM

One commented:

I like this video. It illustrates a perspective well. Users who allow themselves

to be controlled by drugs often lose the worthwhile parts of their lives.

It's important that people learn to use discretion and self-control so that they

won't give into pressure like Kumar did, and so that those who do choose to

experiment can foresee the paths they're on and make wise decisions

accordingly.

Government control neither encourages nor teaches discretion.

Judge
“Since we have these promises, dear friends,
let us purify ourselves from everything
that contaminates body and spirit,
perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

( 2 Corinthians 7 verse 1 NIV)”

A drug is a chemical substance which alters the way in which a body

functions, thereby affecting the person taking it physically, perceptually,

behaviourally or emotionally; sometimes in a destructive or harmful manner. The

purpose of using drugs medicinally is, as far as possible, to restore a person to full

health and wholeness. As such the responsible and controlled use of medicinal

drugs is acceptable.

Before you ever take illicit drugs, reflect on this: Does drug use open a

person’s heart to God, clear her mind, deepen her relationships with others and

increase her strength? Or does the use of a given drug harden a person’s heart,

cloud his thinking, close him in on himself or dull his reactions?

“You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13; Dt 5:17)

A
s humans with dignity, we are always confronted with the command,

“You shall not kill”—not only where evil is being done but also whenever

we fail to do the good that is required of us. The fifth commandment

gives a reasonable protection of life. It is violated when the act is immoral and

causes harm not only to others but also to one self.

The fifth commandment provide the objective moral norms that guide our

conscience as it directs our conscience as it directs our freedom to do what is good.

“Perhaps, the most widespread abuses in our country against physical well-

being are the common vices of alcohol and drug abuse and to a less intensive

degree, smoking. Medical studies have proven the serious injury in terms of

physical harm and addiction and psychological and social difficulties and

dependence, which these vices can cause. The quality of life—and sometimes

life itself—of both the users and their families and close friends suffers

greatly. More culpable still are drug dealers and pushers who, for the sake of

money, care nothing about drawing others, especially innocent youth, into

addictive dependency that ruins their very lives” (PCP II 381)

The above-mentioned quote from the Catechism for Filipino Catholics (1036)

points out that drug abuse itself is an offense against life because not only it can

cause physical and psychological harm to your body but it affects the most basic

unit in this society, our families.

Drug abuse inflicts grave damage on human health and life. Besides the

physical harm that addiction can do to drug addict and to others, the socio-psycho-
emotional hurt that it causes on the users and to their families and to all their

relationships makes drug abuse a grave sin.

The Bible does not directly address any form of illicit drug use. There are no

express prohibitions against cocaine, heroin, ecstasy (MDMA), or

methamphetamines (Meth). There is no mention of marijuana, cannabis, peyote,

magic mushrooms, or acid (LSD). Nothing is said about huffing, snorting, dropping,

smoking, shooting, licking, or any other method of ingestion. This is not to say,

however, that recreational drug use is permissible. On the contrary, there are

several very clear biblical principles that place drug use well outside the realm of

acceptable behaviour (Owen, John 2008).

Psalm 139:14 declares, “I praise you because I am fearfully and

wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” The

context of this verse is the incredible nature of our physical bodies.

The human body is the most complex and unique organism in the

world, and that complexity and uniqueness speaks volumes about the

mind of its Creator. Every aspect of the body, down to the tiniest

microscopic cell, reveals that it is fearfully and wonderfully made.

According to the National Institutes of Health, physical effects of drug abuse

can occur after just one time of using drugs or may require prolonged drug use to

fully manifest. Use of narcotics such as cocaine can result in a fatal heart attack

after the first use. Drugs may have short-term effects such as high blood pressure

and increased appetite, longer term physical effects that last weeks or months such

as chronic cough, and permanent effects such as organ damage or cancer.

 A single illegal drug could destroy the human body. First, it starts from one

cell, to tissues and eventually to the whole organ systems of the body. Psalm

139:14 simply says that God created us in order and balance. Having this amazing

body, God wants us, in return, to take care of it. Illicit drug use is an extremely

effective way to destroy your health, not just physically, but mentally and

emotionally as well.

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring

lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because

you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of

sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8,9)

The Bible forbids participating, for the sake of personal pleasure, in practices

that hinder our moral judgment or weaken our self-control. One of the main reasons

why God condemns intoxication is that, as Christians we face many serious

temptations. In order to distinguish right from wrong and then have the will power

to resist evil, our minds must think clearly and control our bodies. The Bible calls

this sobriety and self-control. Struggling against evil is difficult and dangerous at

best, even with the clearest of faculties. That is why God has forbidden intoxication.

There are other ways to violate these principles, but drug abuse is surely one way.

The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are
close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.1

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as

a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I
will live in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23)

Some people take drugs because they have nothing to hold on so they easily

give themselves up with illicit drugs. If we feel that we had all the burdens of life,

we should keep on holding on our belief and faith that God, who is loving, merciful

and patient, will never abandon or leave us. God is our strength and He is the

answer to our very problems if one will and believes He could. It is indeed best if we

face our emotional, physical and psychological problems rather than escape reality

by taking drugs.

It does not only destroy our relationship with God but it also creates a gap to

our relationship to others. Obviously, it does not give us strength because the more

we use them the more we create fake messages in the brain telling the body that it

is under stress. Eventually, it would destroy our whole body and even our dignity as

human persons.

The major goal of the Christian is not the pursuit of self-interest but the well-

being of all people and the glory of God. Short of complete abstinence from drugs,

perhaps a good general principle is to consider the personal results of drug-related

activities in light of the works of God’s Spirit and the works of the flesh. The work of

the Spirit is to produce such qualities as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

As for drug addiction, not all illicit drugs are physically addictive.

Nevertheless, they are all psychologically addictive. While most people are familiar

with physical addiction – the progressive condition whereby the human body

becomes physically dependent upon a drug in order to function properly –

psychological addiction is less well-known. Psychological addiction is an

enslavement of the mind, often characterized by obsessive tendencies and a lack of

desire to quit. While physical addiction brings the body into subjection,

psychological addiction brings the will into submission. Users tend to say things like,

“I could quit if I wanted to, but I just don’t want to.” This attitude tends to ensure a

long-term pattern of drug use whereby users become devotees in defiance of a very

poignant biblical principle. The fact is, no one can wholeheartedly serve two

masters (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). Any time spent kneeling before the god of

drugs is time spent with your back towards the God of the Bible.

The Bible says your body is a temple for God who dwells in you (1 Corinthians

6:19), and it is not your own. Jesus Christ paid the highest price imaginable so you

could live (1 Corinthians 6:20). Therefore you have to look after your body. Filling it

with drugs, tobacco, or alcohol is not looking after it.

 Act

“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions,

the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed –

else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots,

it will wither and die.”

~Dwight D. Eisenhower

Isabella Panelo

Having all these in mind takes us back to the very context of morality. As a

student studying theology, I say NO TO DRUGS! For one thing, the Bible itself

provided the foundations of our human freedom and choices—that is to do what is

always morally right. As humans, we are given the free will and intellect to choose

and know what is right from wrong. And I stand by the truth that drug addiction is

immoral and destroys our relationship with others and eventually our relationship

with God. What is morally right is to avoid illicit use of drugs and share this

knowledge to everyone. Through the Biblical basis used in this study, my

understanding about morality as well as drug addiction opened me to new insights

and to the moral issues going on in our world. Drug addiction, like all grave and
venial sins, is like a contagious disease that infects each and every part of the

community. It violates our good conscience and it hurts your freedom and the

freedom of others.

Chiella Mae Gepte

After hearing news and reading articles about drug addiction, I am very much

convinced that we should never let our self be one. Because it does nothing but

harm not only to ourselves, but also to our family and the society we are in as well.

Being a drug dependent destroys our physical, mental and emotional attributes. A

drug addict cannot think properly, cannot function normally, and worse, an addict

can cause great harm to others.

Jemaima Romlene B. Sebastian

Drugs are something that violates the 5th commandment which states,

“Thou shall not kill”. For when taking drugs, we slowly kill ourselves until

there is nothing more to kill for you are already dead.

I had been taught by my parents that drugs are something we should

not get into. For drugs slowly kill your body and when you start it, it is hard

to stop. I had been taught also that our body is only borrowed from God that

we need to take care of until we part from it. Because it is something we

borrowed, we must not hurt ourselves, not put up anything that will get it

vandalized. We must protect our body and take care of it. It is the same with

drinking and smoking. They all result on us getting weak and sick. I could say

that I haven’t smoked but I did drink. I drank 3 different times but with two
months apart and the last time I took in alcohol is a year ago when we were

in a trip in Hong Kong on the summer of 2009.

After that encounter of alcohol, it gives you sensation that people get

when drinking but I grew up not into these things that I don’t really see the

need for me to drink more. Same with drugs, these I haven’t tried and would

never try. I am already in a bad state with my body and I wouldn’t want to

put on more complications. All I could say is that drugs are not a good thing

to get us out of the current problems we have. Some say that drugs help

them escape out of reality. But after being high, we are still stuck in the

present world and our problems are still here. We should just think of

answers to our problems and face them. We should just stop on taking in

drugs and be content on which we are. If you are not content, then do

something to get yourself out of your present state. Instead of using the

money to get drugs, use it to your benefit, like studying. We should help

each other instead of killing each other with drugs.

Paula Dickson

I’m strongly against drug addiction because not only it destroys

our body, which is first of all given by our Almighty God but it also destroys

our dignity and morality as a human being. I think that using drugs can make

you feel comfortable and makes you feel at ease for a short time but once it

gets out of your system, you’ll be craving more and that is obviously bad. I

believe that in order to live our lives to the fullest, we must engage into

different activities like sports and school works instead of drowning ourselves
using drugs. When we’re down and hopeless, we should seek the support of

our family and friends and face our problems alone. Lastly, we should always

remember that God is always there to God and love us no matter who or

what we are because we are his children and he is our Almighty Father.

Christine Yvette Ramos

I’m obviously against drug addiction because it wouldn’t do

any good to a person. It’s deadly and it would totally destroy our whole

being. Aside from the fact that it is against the biblical principles of God’s

word, drugs may not seem like a big deal at first but since it is addicting

once a person would start using it, just like smoking they are going to have a

hard time stopping the habit and only a few were able to do so. The rest

were totally hooked, utterly destroying themselves in the process, being

under hallucinations, and eventually deciding to commit suicide. I’m

wondering why drugs have to be created in this world, but I guess it the way

of the evil to tempt us to sin and hurt ourselves. That is why these people

need God so that they would be given the strength to refuse these

temptations most especially drugs. Drug addiction is not cool and never

must be, it must not be used as a means to forget problems. Instead

problems must be faced head on, so that we could finally move on to the

next chapter of our lives.

GROUP STAND
We are against Drug Addiction and we strongly believe that there must be

ways to prevent it. Like more avenues for teenagers to seek psychological

help rather than drowning their sorrows on vices most especially in drugs.

References

Physical Effects of Drug Abuse on the Human Body |

eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4780883_effects-drug-abuse-human-
body.html#ixzz0zawbxH3X