Definition of Terms

1. Administer – the act of introducing any dangerous drug into the body of any
person with or without his knowledge.

2. Board – refers to the Dangerous Drug Board created under RA 6425

3. Chemical – it is any substance taken into the body that alters the way and the
mind and the body work.

4. Chemical Abuse – it is an instance when the use of chemical has produced

negative or harmful consequences.

5. Clandestine Laboratory – any facility used for the illegal manufacture of any
dangerous drug.

6. Consumption – the actual use of drugs by the end–users through injection,

ingestion, inhalation.

7. Cultivate – it means the act of knowingly planting, growing, raising or permitting

the planting, growing, raising of any plant which is the source of a prohibited
drugs.

8. Drug – synthetic chemicals used as medicine or in the making of medicines,

which affects the body and mind and have potential for abuse.

9. Substances - other than food and water that is intended to be taken or

administered for the purpose of altering, sustaining or controlling recipient’s
physical, mental or emotional state.

10. Drug Abuse – it is the illegal, wrongful or improper use of any drug.

11. Drug Addiction – it refers to the state of periodic or chronic intoxication

produced by the repeated consumption of a drug.

12. Drug Dependence – it refers to the state of psychic or physical dependence or

both on dangerous drugs following the administration or use of that drug. WHO
defines it as the periodic, continuous, repeated administration of drug.

13. Drug Experimenter – one who illegally, wrongfully, or improperly uses any
narcotic substances for reasons of curiosity, peer pressure, or other similar
reasons.

14. Drug syndicate – it is a network of illegal drug operations operated and manned
carefully by groups of criminals who knowingly traffic through nefarious trade for
personal or group profit.
15. Manufacture – the production, preparation, compounding or processing a
dangerous drug either directly or indirectly or by extraction from substances of
natural origin or by chemical synthesis.

16. Narcotic Drug – refers to illegally used drugs or dangerous drugs which are
either prohibited or regulated drugs. It is also refers to drugs produces sleep or
stupor and relieves pain due to its depressant effect on the CNS.

17. Physical Dependence – an adaptive state caused by repeated drug use that
reveals itself by development of intense physical symptoms when the drug is
stopped.

18. Psychological Dependence – an attachment to drug use which arises from a

drug ability to satisfy some emotional or personality needs of an individual.

19. Pusher – any person who sell, administer, deliver or give away to another,
distribute, transport any dangerous drug.

20. Rehabilitation – it is a dynamic process directed towards the changes of health

of the person to prepare him from his fullest life potentials and capabilities, and
making him law abiding and productive member of the community without
abusing drugs.

21. Retailing – involved the selling or pushing of drugs in small quantities to the end
– users or grass root level.

22. Self – medication syndrome – found in users of drugs whose sources of

information are people or literature other than doctors, pharmacists, and health
workers.

23. Tolerance – it is the tendency to increase dosage of drugs to maintain the same
effect in the body.

24. Trafficking – the thierd link which pertains to surreptitious movement and
delivery of dangerous drugs from the clandestine laboratories to the wholesale
markets.

25. Treatment – a medical service rendered to a client for the effective management
of his total condition related to drug abuse.

26. Use – the act of injecting, consuming, any dangerous drugs. The means of
introducing the dangerous drug into the physiological system of the body.

27. Withdrawal period – from the point of habituation or drug dependence up to the
time a drug dependent is totally or gradually deprived of the drug.
28. Prescriptive Drugs - These are drugs requiring written authorization from a
doctor to allow a purchase. They are prescribed according to the individual’s age,
weight and height and should not be taken by anyone else.

29. Over – The – Counter Drugs - These are non – prescription medicine, which
may be purchased from any pharmacy or drugstore without, written authorization
from a doctor. They are use to treat minor and short term illnesses and any
persistent condition should be immediately referred to a physician.

30. Herbal Drugs - These are plant substances that have drug effects and whose
use is not generally regulated by law. These substance generally require little
processing after the plants are gathered. Although they may be processed or
sold commercially, it is impossible for the consumer to prepare the drug for if it
can be grown locally.

31. Unrecognized Drugs - These are commercial products that have a psychoactive
drug effects but are not usually considered drugs. These substances are not
generally regulated by the law except insofar as standards of sanitation and
purity are required.

32. Illicit Drugs - These are drugs whose sale, purchase or use is generally
prohibited by law. Criminal penalties usually apply to violators of these laws.

33. Tobacco - This is not generally considered a drug and thus be classed as an
unrecognized drug. Tobacco however holds such a distinct position in terms of
usage patterns, economic importance and health consequences that it merits a
category to itself.

34. Alcohol - Alcohol seems to merit its own category, although it too could be
included in the unrecognized drugs. Alcohol in forms, such as beer, wine, and
distilled liquor is one of the most widely used drugs in our society. It is regarded
by many experts as the most commonly abused drug in our society.

35. Minimal dose - amount needed to treat or heal that is, the smallest amount of a
drug that will produce a therapeutic effect.

36. Maximal dose - largest amount of a drug that will produce a desired therapeutic
effect without any accompanying symptoms of toxicity.

37. Toxic dose - amount of drug that produces untoward effects or symptoms.

38. Abusive dose - amount needed to produce the side effects and action desired
by the individual who improperly uses it.

39. Lethal dose - the amount of drug that will cause death.
40. Oral Ingestion - this is the safest and most convenient and economical route
whenever possible. There are however, drugs which cannot be administered this
way because the digestive juices readily destroy them or because they irritate the
mucous lining of the gastro –intestinal tract and induce vomiting.

41. Injection - this form of drug administration offers a faster response than the oral
method. It makes use of a needle or other device to deliver the drugs directly into
the body tissue and blood circulation.

42. Subcutaneous – drug is administered by injecting drug just below the surface of
the skin, this is sometimes called skin popping.

43. 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.

44. Intravenous – the most efficient means of administration which involves

depositing drugs directly into the blood stream. This also the most rapid method
of drug administration.

45. Inhalation - this route makes use of gaseous and volatile drugs, which are
inhaled and absorbed rapidly through the mucous of the respiratory tract.

46. Topical - this refers to the application of drugs directly to a body site such as the
skin and the mucous membrane.

47. Iontophoresis - the introduction of drugs into the deeper layers of the skin by the
use of special type of electro current for local effect.

48. Snorting - Inhalation through the nose of drugs not in gaseous from. It is perform
by inhaling a powder of liquid drug into the nose coats of the mucous membrane.

49. Buccal - The drug is administered by placing them into the buccal cavity just
under the lips and the active ingredients of the drug will be absorbed into the
bloodstream through the soft tissues lining of the mouth.

50. Suppositories - The drug is administered through the vagina or rectum in

suppository form and the drug will also be absorbed into the bloodstream.

51. Toxicology - is commonly known as the science of poisons, their effects and
antidotes.

52. Overdose - when too much of a drug is taken into the physiological system of
the human body, there may be an over extension of its effects.
53. Allergy - some drugs cause the release of histamine giving rise to allergic
symptoms such as dermatitis, swelling, fall in blood pressure, suffocation and
death.

54. Idiosyncrasy - it refers to the individual reaction to a drug, food etc., for
unexplained reasons. Morphine for example, which sedates all men, stimulates
and renders some women maniacal behaviors.

55. Pharmacology - is the science or study of drugs including their sources,

chemistry, production, use in treating diseases and side effects.

56. Analgesics – are drugs that relieve pain.

57. Antibiotics – are drugs that combat or control infectious organism.

58. Antipyretics – those that can lower body temperature or fever due to infection.

59. Antihistamines – those that control or combat allergic reactions.

60. Contraceptives – drugs that prevent the meeting of the egg cell and sperm cell
or prevent the ovary from releasing egg cells.

61. Decongestants –those that relieve congestion of the nasal passages.

62. Expectorants – those that can ease the expulsion of mucus and phlegm from
the lungs and the throat.

63. Laxatives – those that stimulate defecation and encourage bowel movement.

64. Sedatives and Tranquilizer – are those that can calm and quiet the nerves and
relieve anxiety without causing depression and clouding of the mind.

65. Vitamins – those substances necessary for normal growth and development and
proper functioning of the body.

66. Depressants – are group of drugs that has the effect of depressing the Central
Nervous System. These are drugs which decrease or depress body functions
and nerves activity. This group includes sedatives, hypnotics and tranquilizers.

67. Stimulants – are group of drugs having the effect of stimulating the Central
Nervous System. These are drugs which increase alertness, reduce hunger and
provide a feeling of well being. Cocaine and Amphetamines are the most
common stimulants.

68. Hallucinogens – refers to group of drugs that considered mind altering drugs
and give general effects of mood distortion. These are drugs capable of
 provoking sensation, thinking, self-awareness and emotion. Alteration of time and
space perception, illusions, hallucinations, and delusions, may be minimal or
overwhelming depending on the dose. The result are very variable, a good trip or
a bad trip may occur in the same person on different occasions. Lysergic Acid
Diethylamide (LSD), Marijuana and Mescaline are the most popular
hallucinogens.

69. DEPRESSANTS (downers) – these are drugs which suppress vital body
function especially those of the brain or central nervous system with the resulting
impairment of judgment, hearing, speech, and muscular coordination. They dull
minds, slow down the body reactions to such an extent that accidental deaths
and/or suicides usually happen.These drugs, when taken in, generally decrease
both the mental and the physical activities of the body.

70. Barbiturates – are drugs used for inducing sleep in persons plagued with
anxiety, mental stress and insomnia. They are also of value in the treatment of
epilepsy and hypertension. They are available in capsules, pills or tablets and
taken orally or injected. SLANG NAMES: “goofballs”, “footballs”, “barbs”,
“blockbuster

71. Methaqualone - is a synthetic sedative which has been widely abused and often
caused serious poisoning. It is a sedative drug in a smaller dose and a hypnotic
in a bigger dose.

72. Tranquilizers - are drugs used in treating nervous disorders or calm psychotic
patients or mental disorders without producing sleep.

73. Meprobate – a minor tranquilizer used for the relief of anxiety, tension and
muscular spasms.

74. Diazepam – also known as “valium”. It is the most commonly used tranquilizer,
which has a slow onset but long duration of action.

75. Morphine-most commonly used and best used opiate. Effective as painkiller six
times potent than opium, with a high dependence producing potential. Morphine
exerts action characterized by analgesia, drowsiness, mood changes, and
mental clouding.

76. Heroin - It is derived from morphine. It is three to five times more powerful than
morphine from which it is derived and the most addicting opium derivative. With
continued use, addiction occurs within 14 days. It is the most powerful opium
derivative.

77. Codeine-a derivative of morphine, commonly available in cough preparations.

These cough medicines have been widely abused by the youth whenever hard
narcotics are difficult to obtain withdrawal symptoms are less severe than other
drugs.
78. Methadone – is the drugs of choice in the withdrawal treatment of heroin
dependents since it relieves the physical craving for heroin.

79. Demerol - is widely used as a painkiller in childbirth.

80. Opium - narcotic drug produced from the drying resin of unripe capsules of the
opium poppy, Papaver somniferum. Opium is grown mainly in Myanmar (formerly
Burma) and Afghanistan.

81. Paregoric - a tincture of opium in combination with camphor. commonly used as

a household remedy for diarrhea and abdominal pain.

82. NARCOTICS – it is derived from the Greek work “narkoticos” meaning sleep.
These generally use as pain killing drugs, it relieves pain and produce profound
sleep or stupor.

83. Seconal- The dependent develops generalized convulsions and delirium, which
are frequently associated with heart and respiratory failure.

84. 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.

85. Cocaine – this is naturally extracted/ obtained from the leaves of erythroxylon
coca or the coca bush. The plant is called erythroxylon coca and the alkaloid
extracted from the leaves has a scientific name which is Cocaine Hydrochloride.

86. Amphetamines - used medically for weight reducing in obesity, relief of mild
depression and treatment.

87. Caffeine - It is present in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola drinks and some wake-up
pills.

88. Shabu/”poor man’s cocaine” - chemically known as methamphetamine

hydrochloride. It is a central nervous system stimulant and sometimes
called”upper” or “speed”.

89. Nicotine - an active component in tobacco which acts as a powerful stimulant of

the central nervous system.

90. Hallucinogens (Psychedelics) - are drugs capable of provoking changes in

sensation, thinking, self – awareness and emotion. Alteration of time and space
perception (false perception), illusions, hallucinations and delusion.
91. Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa Lima) –The term marijuana is a Spanish-
Mexican term used to refer to the Indian hemp plant. It is the most commonly
abused hallucinogen in the Philippines because it can be grown extensively in
the country.

92. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) – the drug was first synthesized by Dr.
Albert Hoffman and Dr. Arthur Steel from the ergot plants – a fungus that
parasites rye and other grains and Diethylamide portion.

93. Peyote – is derived from the surface part of a small gray brown cactus. Peyote
emits a nauseating odor and its user suffers from nausea. The drug causes no
physical dependence and therefore, no withdrawal symptoms.

94. Mescaline – this is the active ingredient of the peyote cactus.

95. Phencyclidine (PCP) – known on the street as “angel dust”, It is used as an

intravenous anesthetic and analgesic and used also as treatment for mental
disorder. Often produced unpleasant post – operative side – effects including
visual disturbances and delirium.

96. Killer Weed – combination of angel dust and marijuana.

97. Psilocybin – this hallucinogenic alkaloid from small Mexican mushroom. These
mushrooms induced nausea, muscular relaxation, mood changes with visions of
bright colors and shapes.

98. Morning Glory Seeds – known as Lysergic Acid Amide. The black and brown
seeds of the wild tropical morning glory that are used to produce hallucinations.
The seeds are ground into flour, soaked in cold water, then strained through a
cloth and drunk.

99. Narcotics – it is derived from the Greek work “narkoticos” meaning sleep. Term
originally applied to all compounds that produce insensibility to external stimuli
through depression of the central nervous system. These are generally use as
pain killing drugs, it relieves pain and produce profound sleep or stupor.

100. Opium - narcotic drug produced from the drying resin of unripe capsules
of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum. Opium is grown mainly in Myanmar
(formerly Burma) and Afghanistan.