Drug use is still a concern in the Philippines. According to a 2008 study, Filipino males are 10 times more likely to use drugs than females. Teenagers are vulnerable to drug use due to several risk factors. While some drugs have medical purposes, others can lead to abuse, addiction, illness and death when misused. Drugs alter brain function and how a person thinks and processes information. There are healthy alternatives to drugs such as sports, hobbies and other activities. Commonly abused drugs in the Philippines include shabu, marijuana and inhalants.

1. Prevention of
Substance Use
and Abuse
(Drug Scenario in the
Philippines)

2. Pre-Assessment Activity
ADD(Agree, Disagree, Don’t
Know) Activity

3. 1. Drugs are not a concern
in the Philippines!
Drugs are still a concern in the Philippines.
Although there is a decreasing number of
users and distribution of drugs in the
country, we still need to address the
problem. Drugs affect all domains: self,
family, peers or friends, school, community and
the nation as a whole.

4. 2. Filipino males are more prone
to drug use than females.
According to a study conducted by
the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) in
2008, the ratio of Filipino male users to
female users is 10:1. This means that
Filipino males are more prone to drug
use than female.

5. 3. Teenagers are in danger to
drug use, misuse and abuse.
Teenagers are vulnerable to
drug use, misuse and abuse.
Several risk factors contribute
to drug exposure.

6. 4. All medicines are drugs but
not all drugs are medicines!
Medicines are drugs. Medicines are drugs
which help treat, ease and prevent
diseases and disorders. Improper use or
misuse of medicines can lead to drug abuse
and addiction. Some drugs have no medicinal
purposes, are habit-forming and can lead to
illnesses and even death.

7. 5. Drugs change the way the brain
thinks and processes information.
Drugs alter body processes, affects
body systems specifically the central
nervous system which includes the brain.
A brain under the influence of drugs
thinks different and cannot normally
process information.

8. 6. There are many healthy alternatives to
combat drug use and abuse.
Various healthy alternatives are just
around the corner. These can range from
hobbies like playing games, reading,
collecting favorite things and sports
like basketball, volleyball, chess and
other activities which you find
interesting and fun.

9. 7. Shabu is one of the commonly used and
abused drugs in the Philippines.
The Dangerous Drugs Board listed
three commonly used and abused
drugs in the Philippines and this
includes shabu. The other two are
marijuana and inhalants.

10. 8. Drug dependence is the state of physical
and psychological dependence on drugs by a
person following its continuous use and abuse.
Drug dependence makes a user rely on
the drug s/he is using. The drug makes
the user tolerate and completely
depend on the drugs. His/her body
cannot perform well without them.

11. 9. Drug abuse is the continuous use of a drug
or several drugs other than their specified
purpose.
Drug abuse is the continuous use
and dependency on drugs. A drug
user no longer has control over him /
her and therefore uses the drugs
improperly and extremely which
leads to drug dependency.

12. 10. A drug is a substance which brings about
mental, emotional, behavioral and physiological
changes to a person.
Drug affects a person
mentally, emotionally,
physiologically and alters
his/her behavior.