Deped 11 to do random drug test on officials, employees
THE Department of Education 11 (Deped 11) will be conducting a random mandatory drugtesting program to all officials and employees, including teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department under its Drug-Free Workplace Policy.
Deped 11 issued the Drug-Free Workplace Policy last July 31 to promote a safe and healthy work environment in Deped workplaces and schools, free from the use of dangerous drugs and secure the welfare of the students against possible drugusing employees.
Deped 11 Spokesperson Jenielito Atillo, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao, said this drug-testing program was planned by the department since last year but was formally confirmed recently after the formation of the DrugFree Workplace Committee last March, headed by Education Undersecretary Alberto T. Muyot.
"Our department handles children and we seek their safety as the upmost priority. We do not want to risk our children being taught and handled by any teachers who are influenced by drugs because we are aiming to create a drug-free future," Atillo said.
He said the policy will cover the Deped Central office, Regional of-
fices, School Division Offices, and schools.
Starting this month, Atillo said the program will include a pre-employment drug-testing, in which all job applicants of any of Deped's offices and schools must be mandated to undergo the test. Drug Test Certificate will be issued to them and will be included in the employment requirement records.
For the existing employees and officials, he said, the testing will be conducted by trained Deped personnel in specimen collections who will submit the specimen to Department of Health 11 (DOH 11) for the results.
In Deped Order 37 regarding the Drug-Free Workplace Policy, it said an employee or teaching and non-teaching personnel testing positive twice from the confirmatory test shall be deemed as a valid ground for the termination. For Deped officials, on the other hand, they shall undergo an examination by DOH, in which interventions will done based on the results.BSC (For full story visit www.sunstar.com. ph/davao/)