Time
was when the illicit drug use in the Philippines was mainly an
indulgence of the fringe literati, the "burgis", the artists and
entertainment circle, far removed from the "masa" and rural
culture with its isolated social pockets of marijuana users. None of the
hard drugs and the intravenous drug users; none of varied
countercultural movements that was requisite or fuel to the growth of
the drug culture. It seemed almost possible that while the drug problem
raged in most developed countries, the Philippines would be saved from
the scourge of illicit drugs. But, alas. Slowly and surely, the illicit
drug market has successfully gained inroads into subcultures of users,
into collegiate life, and deep into the bowels of Philippine rural life,
burgeoning into a raging epidemic of drug addiction.
Today, methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" poses a problem as serious, as frightening, as formidable, as any present day issue confronting the Filipino society. How can a country and a system mired in corruption fare against the commerce of drug trade so empowered by its bottomless coffers and consequent political clout? Many powerful nations have succumbed; the fanfares of their drug wars drug muffled, their policies inevitably compromised, shifting from prevention into containment.
*****
Shabu, a powerfully addictive meth stimulant, is the drug of choice
of over 90% of Filipino drug abusers. Methamphetamine was discovered in
Japan in 1919. The crystalline powder was soluble in water, making it a
perfect candidate for injection. In the late 30s, it found use for
narcolepsy and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). It is
still legally produced in the U.S., sold under the trade name Desoxyn
(Abbott. PDR 2001) with indications for ADHD and for short-term therapy
in exogenous obesity.
*****
The stimulant effects from methamphetamine can last for hours,
instead of the minutes from 'crack' cocaine. Often, the meth user stays
awake for days. After injecting or smoking, the immediate rush or high
is called a "swap", short-lived, minutes long. Snorting (within 3 to 5
minutes) and ingestion (within 15-20 minutes) causes a euphoria, a
"high" rather than an intense "rush" within 15-20 minutes. As the high
wears off, the user enters a stage called "tweaking" where he or she
becomes prone to violence, delusions and paranoia. Some try to buffer
through this stage by the use of cocaine or heroin. Like heroin and
cocaine, methamphetamine can be snorted, smoked or injected. Its
short-term effects are: heightened attention and energy, excessive
talking, euphoria, decreased fatigue, increased activity, increased
sexuality, decreased appetite, increased respiration, hyperthermia,
occasionally leading to convulsions and lethal levels.
*****
Its long-term effects are: dependence, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia, addiction, psychosis,paranoia, hallucinations, visual and auditory mood disturbances, repetitive motor activity, stroke, weight loss,violent behavior, homicidal or suicidal thoughts, ‘crank bugs' - formication (sensation of insects creeping on the skin) causing users to pick at themselves causing ulcerations on the hand and arms, disturbed sleep patterns; decreased sleep needs
disinterest in usual social interactions, sex, food, and cardiovascular damage (inflammation of the heart lining). This is not to mention that the addict will cheat, steal, and even kill just to satisfy his craving for the drug.
*****
Thus, the threat posed by illegal drugs against human dignity and the
integrity of society is malevolent and incessant. Such pernicious
effect is felt not only by the addicts themselves but also by their
families. It has infected the entire spectum of society, from the lowest
to the highest. In fact, a Philippine congressman was arrested and
incarcerated in Hongkong for possession of prohibited drugs.
*****
Society's survival is endangered because its basic unit, the family,
is the ultimate victim of the drug menace. The illicit distribution of
drugs is one of the most serious problems of our society. The persons
who peddle prohibited drugs are "evil merchants of misery and death."
*****
The principal law on dangerous drugs is Republic Act No. 9165 enacted
June 7, 2002, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Under this law, the possession of dangerous drugs is penalized by life
imprisonment to death (Note: the death penalty is no longer imposed in
the Philippines) and a fine ranging from P500,000.00 to P10,000,000.00
for the unauthorized possession of the following drugs: (1) 10 grams or
more of opium; (2) 10 grams or more of morphine; (3) 10 grams or more of
heroin; (4) 10 grams or more of cocaine or cocaine hydrochloride; (5)
50 grams or more of methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu"; (6) 10
grams or more of marijuana resin or marijuana resin oil; (7) 500 grams
or more of marijuana; and (8) 10 grams or more of other dangerous drugs
such as, but not limited to, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDA) or
"ecstasy", paramethoxy-amphetamine (PMA), trimethoxyamphetamine (TMA),
lysergic acid diethylamine (LSD), gamma hydroxyamphetamine (GHB), and
those similarly designed or newly introduced drugs and their
derivatives, without having any therapeutic value or if the quantity
possessed is far beyond therapeutic requirements.
*****
The penalty is reduced to 20 years and one 1 day to life imprisonment
and a fine ranging from P400,000.00 to P500,000.00, if the quantity of
shabu illegally possessed is 5 grams or more but less than 10 grams. It
is further reduced to imprisonment of 12 years and one 1 day to 20 years
and a fine ranging from P300,000.00 to P400,000.00, if the quantity is
less than 5 grams. 
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