DOH: RANDOM DRUG TEST FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS STARTS NEXT MONTH

Some 85,000 high school students nationwide will be randomly tested by the
Department of Health for dangerous drugs starting next month, Health
Secretary Francisco Duque III said yesterday.

"As in the previous testing done, the activity aims to determine the
current incidence of drug use, provide a deterrent for those using drugs
and to provide the necessary services they need to stop further use,"
Duque noted.

In 2005, the DOH had randomly tested some 8,670 high school students. A
total of 67 or 0.80 percent have tested positive for using dangerous
drugs.

Two years later, random drug testing was also done among college students.
Of the 7,499 students tested, 39 or 0.50 percent were found abusing
substances.

The DOH had initially had a hard time conducting the drug test because of
the resistance of the college students' organizations, claiming that the
procedure is a violation of human rights.

In both cases, marijuana was the favorite substance of majority of the
students. Those who tested positive were given out-patient consultations
and therapy in coordination with their parents.

Duque claimed that in conducting drug tests, the DOH follows Dangerous
Drugs Board Regulation No.6- 2003 which provides the guidelines for the
conduct of the activity. The policy prevents the use of the results of
drug tests in any criminal proceedings, disciplinary actions or expulsion
and that strictest confidentiality shall be observed in handling these
records.

"As far as the Department of Health is concerned, drug testing is a health
issue. What needs to be done is that these children be tested and provided
rehabilitation services," he added.

The DOH will conduct the random drug testing in coordination with the
Department of Education.