RANDOM DRUG TESTING

ANTONY C. LIMPIO

The Department of Education is stepping up its efforts to implement various activities in line with its National Drug Education Program.

In support to the current administration’s thrusts against illegal drugs, there is a proposed drug testing of secondary students, elementary and secondary school teachers, and personnel from the central, regional, and schools division offices starting the school year 2017-2018.

In preparation for the actual drug testing, DepEd conducted Orientation-Trainings on the Drug Testing Program for the Cluster 1 participants last March held in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The said training aims to provide awareness on the legal and regulatory aspect of drug testing.

Participants, which include the regional directors, regional health coordinators, schools division superintendents, schools division medical officers and nurses, guidance counselors, and selected principals will also be oriented and trained on specimen collection and validity testing.

During the three-day training, facilitators will also discuss the initial assessment and intervention for students found to be positive, train participants on documentation and recording of drug testing process, and formulate action plan for the conduct of the random drug testing.

The said activity included two participants from each Regional office (health coordinator, and Regional Director or authorized representative); six participants from the Schools Division offices (school division superintendent, medical officer, guidance counselor, two division nurses, and principal); 10 facilitators/ resource persons, and six secretariat personnel from the Central Office.

The mandatory drug testing is based on Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Under Section 36, students of secondary and tertiary schools shall undergo a random drug testing as pursuant to the related rules and regulations as contained in the school’s student handbook and with notice to the parents.

The Act also requires officers and employees of public and private offices, whether domestic or overseas, to undergo a random drug test.

The department, however, clarified that students will be given the drug test only after their parents give consent to it, adding that the results will be kept confidential. The department is still working on the formula, method, and guidelines for the drug testing.

— oOo— The author is Secondary School Teacher III at San Pedro National High School.