Forchem Chapter 6

DANGEROUS DRUGS
What is a drug?
 It is any substance (with the exception of food and water) which, when taken into the body, alters the body’s function either
physically and/or psychologically.
Two general classifications of drugs

Natural - plant leaves, flowering tops, hashish, opium and marijuana.
Synthetic – drugs that are products by laboratories
a. Herbal Drugs - Are plant substances that have drug effects and whose use is not generally regulated by the law.
b. Unrecognized Drugs - Are commercial products that have a psychoactive drug effects but are not usually considered drugs. E.g.
Tobacco; Alcohol
c. Illicit Drugs - These are drugs whose sale, purchase or use is generally prohibited by law.
How does DRUGS work?

- Drugs interfere with the way neurons send, receive, and process signals via neurotransmitters. Some drugs can activate neurons
because their chemical structure mimics that of a natural neurotransmitter in the body. This allows the drugs to attach onto and
activate the neurons. Although these drugs mimic the brain's own chemicals, they don't activate neurons in the same way as a
natural neurotransmitter, and they lead to abnormal messages being sent through the network.
- Depending on the drug, how it functions will affect everyone differently depending on a person’s (size, gender, mood, and
expectations), what environment the drug is used in, and the drug (amount used, strength, purity).
Are all drugs harmful?

 Any drug may be harmful when abused. The fact that many drugs will produce beneficial results has led some people to feel that
drugs solve all problems. Drugs that can affect the mind can have subtle or obvious side effects which can be immediate or may
only become evident after continuous use. There are drugs that are taken as medicines. But certain drugs are taken not as
medicines but to satisfy a craving or a strong desire and taking them becomes an ingrained habit.
Medicinal drugs / Medicine

 a substance which when taken into the human body cures illness and/or relieves signs/symptoms of disease.
 Prescriptive drugs - drugs requiring written authorization from a doctor before they can be purchased.
 Over- the – Counter drugs (OTC’s) - are non-prescription medicines, which may be purchased form only any
pharmacy or drugstore without written authorization from a doctor.
Different types of Medicine
a. Analgesics – these are drugs that relieve pain. However, they may produce the opposite effects on somebody who suffers from
peptic ulcer or gastric irritation.
b. Antibiotics – drugs that combat or control infectious organisms. Ingesting the same antibiotics for a long time can result to
allergic reactions and cause resistance to the drug.
c. Antipyretics – those drugs that can lower body temperature or fever due to infection.
d. Antihistamines – those drug that control or combat allergic reactions.
e. Contraceptives – these are drugs that prevent the meeting of the egg cell and sperm cell or prevent the ovary from releasing egg
cells.
f. Decongestants – drugs that relieve congestion of nasal passages.
g. Expectorants – they can ease the expulsion of mucus and phlegm from the lungs and throat.
h. Laxatives – drugs that stimulates defecation and encourage bowel movement
i. Sedatives and tranquilizers – these are drugs that can calm and quite the nerves and relieve anxiety without causing depression
and clouding of the mind.
j. Vitamins – those substances necessary for normal growth and development and proper functioning of the body.
Dosage/Dose
 it is the amount of drug taken at one time
Type of Dosage
a. Minimal – it refers to the amount needed to treat or heal, that is, the smallest amount of drug that will produce a therapeutic
effect.
b. Maximal – it pertains to the largest amount of drug that will produce a desired therapeutic effect, without any accompanying
symptoms of toxicity.
c. Toxic - it is the amount of drug that produces untoward effects or symptoms of poisoning.
d. Abusive – the amount needed to produce the side effects and action desired by an individual who improperly uses it.
e. Lethal– the amount of drug that will cause death.
Toxicology
- the science of poisons, their effects and antidotes.
Toxic effects a drugs may caused

a. Overdose – when too much of a drug is taken into the physiological system of the human body, there may be an extension of its
effects.
b. Allergy – some drugs cause the release of histamines giving rise to allergic symptoms such as dermatitis, swelling, falls in blood
pressure, suffocation and death.
c. Idiosyncrasy – it refers to the individual reaction to a drug, food, etc. for unexplained reason.
d. Poisonous property – drugs are chemicals and some of them have the property of being general protoplasmic poisons.
e. Side effects – some drugs are not receptors for one organ but receptors of other organ as well. The effects in the other organs
may constitute a side effect, which are most of the time unwanted.
Ways of administering Drugs

 Orally
 Inhalation
 Injection
- Subcutaneous
- Intramuscular
- Intravenous
 Snorting/insufflations
 Buccal
 Suppositories
 Topical
a. Orally-This is the safest, most convenient and economical route whenever possible. The drug is taken by the mouth and must pass
through the stomach before being absorbed in the bloodstream. This is the most common ways of taking drugs.
b. Inhalation -A drug in gaseous form enters the lungs and is quickly absorbed by the capillary system. It is probably the second most
commonly employed drug administration.
c. Injection -Drug is administered to the body by the use of syringe or hypodermic needle in the following ways:
•Subcutaneous – the drug is injected just below the surface of the skin. This is sometimes called as “skin popping”.
•Intramuscular – administration involves the injection of a drug into a large muscle mass that has a good blood supply, such as the
gluteus maximus, quadriceps or triceps.
•Intravenous – this is the most efficient means of administration which involves depositing a drug directly to the blood stream. This is
also the most rapid drug administration.
d. Snorting / Insufflation- Inhalation of drugs through the nose. It is done by inhaling a powder or a liquid drug into the nasal coats of the
mucous membrane.
e. Buccal- Drug is placed in the buccal cavity just under the lips. The active ingredients of the drug are absorbed in the blood stream
through the soft tissues lining the mouth.
f. Suppositories- Drug is administered through the vagina or rectum in a suppository form and the drug is absorbed into the blood stream.
g. Topical- This refers to the application of drugs directly to a body site such as the mucous membrane.
Dangerous drugs
 These are drugs that are attended by risk and therefore unsafe, perilous, and hazardous to people using it.
 These are strictly prohibited that possession of them is punishable.
Pharmacology
 simply means as the study of how a drug affects the body.
Pharmacological classification of dangerous drugs

 Narcotics
 Stimulants (uppers)
 Depressants (downers)
 Hallucinogens
NARCOTICS (aka opioids)

 substances that dulled the senses and relieved pain.
 drugs relieve pain and produce profound sleep or stupor. Medically, they are potent painkillers, cough depressants, and as an
active component of anti-diarrheal preparations.
Opium poppy (papaver somniferum)
Opium
 It is extracted from the coagulated juice poppy plant
 Meconic Acid is the active ingredient and analgesic property of Opium.
Derivatives of Opium
 Morphine – principal derivative of opium
 Heroin – second derivative and the most addicting opium derivative
 Codeine - A derivative of morphine commonly available in cough preparations
STIMULANTS (UPPERS)
 These are drugs that produce excitation, alertness, and wakefulness, intense feeling of “highness” and in some cases, a temporary
rise in blood pressure and respiration.
 It works by increasing the activity of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is involved in the
reinforcement of rewarding behaviors. Norepinephrine affects blood vessels, blood pressure and heart rate, blood sugar, and
breathing.
 Cocaine, Amphetamines, Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, Flakka, Caffeine
DEPRESSANTS (DOWNERS)
 These are drugs which suppress vital body functions especially those of the brain or central nervous system with the resulting
impairment of judgment, hearing, speech, and muscular coordination.
 They dull the minds, slow down body reactions to such an extent that accidental deaths/or suicides, usually happen.
 Barbiturates, Methaqualone, Mandrax, Tranquilizers
Alcohol - It is considered as the ‘king’ of all drugs and most extensively legalized drugs throughout the world
Inhalants - The inhalation of solvent fumes from glue, gasoline, and paint thinner and lighter fluid will produce a form of intoxication.
HALLUCINOGENS (PSYCHEDELIC)
 A variety or mind- altering drugs which distort reality, thinking and perception of time, sound, space and sensation. It usually
affects the user by Hallucination, Illusion and Delusion.
 Hallucinogens interfere with the action of the brain chemical serotonin, which regulates mood, sensory, and perception.
 Cannabis Sativa / Marijuana, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), Mescaline, Psilocybin, Ecstasy, Phencyclidine (PCP)
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - It is the most important psycho-active ingredient of Cannabis
Synesthesia experiencing one of your senses through another. e.i. hear colors or see sounds.
Laws related on dangerous drugs in the Philippines

RA 6425 – The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972
PD 1619 - Penalizing the Use or Possession or the Unauthorized Sale to Minors of Volatile Substances
RA 9165 – The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
RA 10640 - An Act to Further Strengthen the Anti-Drug Campaign of the Government
Sec. 21 par 2 of RA9165

(2) Within twenty-four (24) hours upon confiscation/seizure of dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled
precursors and essential chemicals, as well as instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment, the same shall be submitted to the
PDEA Forensic Laboratory for a qualitative and quantitative examination;
par 3 (as amended by RA10640)

"(3) A certification of the forensic laboratory examination results, which shall be done by the forensic laboratory examiner, shall
be issued immediately upon the receipt of the subject item/s: Provided, That when the volume of dangerous drugs, plant sources of
dangerous drugs, and controlled precursors and essential chemicals does not allow the completion of testing within the time frame, a
partial laboratory examination report shall be provisionally issued stating therein the quantities of dangerous drugs still to be examined by
the forensic laboratory: Provided, however, That a final certification shall be issued immediately upon completion of the said examination
and certification;

Forchem Chapter 6

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Forchem Chapter 6

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Forchem Chapter 6

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DANGEROUS DRUGS

Two general classifications of drugs

How does DRUGS work?

Are all drugs harmful?

Medicinal drugs / Medicine

Toxic effects a drugs may caused

Ways of administering Drugs

Pharmacological classification of dangerous drugs

NARCOTICS (aka opioids)

Opium poppy (papaver somniferum)

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - It is the most important psycho-active ingredient of Cannabis

Laws related on dangerous drugs in the Philippines

Sec. 21 par 2 of RA9165

par 3 (as amended by RA10640)

You might also like