IN support to the campaign against illegal drugs by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Sec. Raul M. Gonzalez, Sr., this writer took time to gather information about drug-abuse and its ill-effects to users or addicts.

Shabu or Methamphetamine hydrochloride - has both the adverse-acute and long-term effects that redound to anxiety, tension, irritability, irrational behavior, talkativeness and loss of self-control.

Its prolonged use leads to loss of appetite, inability to sleep, acute psychotic reactions, violent or destructive behavior, recklessness, paranoid delusions, visual hallucinations, weight loss convulsion and death from cardiac arrest.

Marijuana – immediate effects are hallucinations or illusions with faster heart beat and pulse rate. It manifests either loss of appetite or “food-trip,” sleepiness, dry-mouth, face and throat, bloodshot eye, forgetfulness and inability to think. Ill effects are psychiatric consequences, nasal passages irritation resulting to frequent nose bleed, renal damage, heart disease and stroke.

Ecstacy – pharmacological pills. Its short-term effects are fatigue and depression. Large doses result to restlessness, anxiety, visual-hallucinations that lead to blood pressure and death from heart stroke. Synthetic stimulants for neurotoxicity, brain and liver damage but has no currently accepted medical use yet.

Inhalants – examples are glue and adhesive cement, rugby, super glue and thinner. The volatile chemicals contain psycho-active (mind/mood altering) vapors to produce a state of intoxication.

Bangkok Pills – strong ones are blue and yellow capsule and the mega strong are maroon and gray capsule. The amazing results are popularized by the stakeholders or users who have experienced positive results.

But the other side poses danger to human lives. The pills were never discussed for public awareness. The side-effects are dry mouth, nervousness, dizziness, insomnia, suppress appetite vomiting, irregular heart beat and constipation.

Ketamine, a chemical known as 2-(O Chlorophenyl) -2 (Methylamino) Cyclohexane. The fine and white crystalline powder and can be in liquid, tablets or in capsule forms. Its street names are K, Kit-Kat, Special K, Super K, Vitamin K, K-hole, Bump of K, Honey oil K and Bump bottle.
Its ill effects are disoriented behavior, impaired judgment, hallucinations and impaired coordination. It manifests violent and out-of-body feeling, a state of euphoria and near-death experience.

Benzodiazepines – called sleeping pills or tranquilizers classified as short, medium and long acting drug action in the body. The length of action can also be influenced by the health of the liver, age and weight.

The pills are absorbed in the stomach by small intestines and metabolized by the liver. Highly fat soluble and accumulate in fatty tissue. Its excretes through saliva, sweating, urine, feces and breast milk.

Length of action is influenced by the health of the liver, the age and weight. It operates widely in the brain, affecting emotional reactions, memory, consciousness, muscle tone and coordination.

Side effects of over sedation; falls and hip fractures, impaired blood pressure regulation and balance control. Sometimes, the users suffer nocturnal urinary incontinence, loss of memory, respiratory problems and dependency.

The pharmacological classifications of addictive drugs are: Stimulants, Depressants.and Hallucinogens. Stimulants are known as “uppers.” The depressants are called “downers” or “barbs” and the Hallucinogens as “psychedelics.”

A special thanks to Supt. Roybel Sanchez of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6 (PDEA-6) for making this column possible. Also to C/Supt. Isagani Cuevas, PNP Regional Director of PRO6 for his active role in the campaign against illegal drugs.

I hope to have given my readers tips on ill-effects of drug abuse and the menace it may bring to society. It was written, qualis vita, finis ita – the way you live determines the way you die. The choice is yours!

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