Random drug tests at college campuses to start next year

The Commission om Higher Education (CHED) has directed all higher education institutions or HEIs to conduct random drug testing on students starting next school year.

CHED chairman J. Prospero de Vera III last week approved a new memorandum detailing the implementing guidelines for drug testing on college students.

In addition to the mandatory random drug testing, the commission also allowed tertiary institutions to implement drug testing on all students as part of its admission and retention policies.

The guidelines, according to De Vera, aims to promote a “drug-free” campus and further the legitimate interest of the government in preventing and deterring dangerous drug use among the youth.

He also noted that the memorandum would ensure that the drug testing policies of HEIs are reasonable and not violative of the fundamental rights of students.

“The drug problem in the Philippines remains a serious national concern that permeates both the public and private sectors not only as a security issue, but also as a health concern that affects the social, emotional, psychological as well as the economic well-being of the citizenry,” read the memorandum, a copy of which was released yesterday.

“All HEIs and enjoined to include in their student handbook the administration of mandatory random drug testing of students, with notice to parents. Aside from random drug testing, an HEI may, within the parameters of its institutional academic freedom, also include in its student handbook a policy for the mandatory drug testing as a requirement for admission and retention, after observation of consultation and other similar requirements,” it added.

CHED said the mandatory random drug testing is in line with provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and should be implemented in accordance with regulations issued by the Dangerous Drugs Board. (DDB).

It said the testing shall only be conducted by an accredited drug testing facility, physician and private medical practitioners following a consultation with stakeholders and approval of the schools’ governing boards.

The agency said a confirmed positive result shall not be a basis of disciplinary action unless the student is held liable for some other violations of the schools’ internal rules.

“If the student is found to be drug dependent, the appropriate sanction, intervention and/or rehabilitation shall be imposed in accordance with the schools’ student handbook and other applicable laws, rules and regulations,” the memorandum added.

HEIs were also directed to ensure that the confidentiality of the students and the integrity of the results are respected throughout the process.

Violators of the confidentiality provision will be penalized in accordance with privacy rules provided by the comprehensive dangerous drugs law, CHED warned.

HEIs are required to fully comply with the provisions of the memorandum starting academic year 2019-2020. Consultations must be completed by February.

Student groups earlier criticized CHED for allowing schools to implement drug testing as part of its admission and retention policies.

“Academic freedom should not be about incriminating students. Drug testing should be non-mandatory, and it should not be a requirement for admission in schools,” the National Union of Students of the Philippines said.