DDB ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR RANDOM DRUG TESTING OF STUDENTS NATIONWIDE

Guidelines have been issued by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) for
the conduct of random drug testing for students to ensure human
rights will not be violated with its implementation in the different
schools nationwide.

DDB Chairman Vicente Sotto III said the document expounds on the
intents of the board regulation passed by the DDB way back in 2003
which state that the activity is a regular program and not just a
reaction of the government as a result of the "Alabang Boys" controversy.

"Random drug testing is preventive rather than punitive," Sotto said.

The former senator added the move was aimed at preventing illegal
drug use among students and providing immediate rehabilitative
assistance to those found positive for drugs.

Other objectives include the assessment of the drug problem in
schools, the evaluation of school and community-based anti-illegal
drug programs and the strengthening of collaboration of agencies
involved in the campaign against the social menace.

Drug abuse prevention, confidentiality, informed participation,
scientific and computer-mediated selection, provision of necessary
health assistance and protection of student welfare stand supreme in
random drug testing.

The government is set to run the activity in all 8,455 secondary and
1,726 tertiary schools nationwide starting Feb. 2, 2009. Vocational
school students and tertiary level faculty members will likewise
undergo drug test.

The earlier random drug testing conducted among high school students
in 2005 found 67 students, or 0.8 percent, positive for drugs and
among college students in 2007, 39 students or 0.5 percent.

Those who tested positive were assessed for drug dependency and
proved to be drug users. They were assisted to the nearest
out-patient facilities for regular sessions of individual, group and
family counseling.

For regions without treatment and rehabilitation centers, doctors
from the Department of Health Central Office personally took charge
of the assessment, counseling and eventual referral of the students
to local psychiatrists and medical professionals.