DepEd-7: Drug test only covers teachers, high school students

Department of Education (DepEd)-7 Director Dr. Julieta Jeruta said that drug testing is already an existing program conducted in schools.

However, the law is clear that “drug testing will only be for personnel and high school students,” Jeruta said.

She said with 14.5 million high school students nationwide, the drug testing has to be randomly done since the procedure may need huge logistical support.

She also wanted to emphasize that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has to respect “privacy commission” to protect the welfare of the students.

Jeruta said that drug testing is only an initial step in the campaign against illegal drugs because curriculum integration is still the primary intervention focused by DepEd.

DepEd-7 has been reiterating that the primary role of the agency is to educate students of the ill-effects of illegal substances, as drug testing programs are within the mandate of the health department.

Dr. Brazil Sanchez, DepEd-7 Human Resource Management officer, said personnel from DepEd regional and division offices are also included in the policy and that undergoing the drug test is even mandatory for them.

The agency’s HR office has earlier prepared the conduct of drug testing through holding simultaneous orientations before rolling out the program this year.

Schedule for the testing procedures were kept unannounced.

Sanchez, however, said the agency will not condemn people found positive for drug use, since this problem is more noted as a health issue.

She said personnel are not even automatically dismissed from the service.

Interventions are given depending on the severity of the condition of the individual. In severe cases, the person will have to be admitted to a rehabilitation program.

The same principle applies to students.

Sanchez said the agency wants to assist them to restore their lives and integrate them back to the society.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) –7 welcomes the recommendation of Director General Aaron Aquino for a mandatory drug testing among Grade 4 students and up.

She said the national headquarters are coordinating with the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to make the proposal into a resolution so that they can legally implement it.

She said that if a child is found positive during drug testing, the particular student will have to undergo counseling together with his parents to know the root of the problem.

“Kung curiosity lang ba kay basin naa siyay laing influences. Basin ang iyang mga friends sa gawas, so maapil nato ug ang pinakadako diha kay basin naay namaligya sulod mismo sa eskwelahan,” she said.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, for his part, is in favor of subjecting teachers and students in Grade 4 and up to a random drug test.

He told reporters that illegal drugs nowadays reaches in all levels of the society, that is why, teachers and students may also be using it.

“Good because drugs are already reaching in all levels of society. It’s not only (the) istambay ang mo-take og drugs, all levels including professionals, including bankers, including businessmen, including rich people. There is no distinction,” Osmeña said.

The mayor said if the Department of Education would ask for city’s help, they are willing to extend aid.

Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention head Garry Lao is supportive of this idea.

“Okay ko ana kay aron makibaw ta kinsa ang nagamitan and if ma-positive ato silang i-undergo og rehabilitation,” he said.

— May B. Miasco, Odessa O. Leyson, Ermida Q. Moradas/GAN