CITY DEPED EXPECTS RANDOM DRUG TEST NEXT WEEK

Top officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Dumaguete City
expect a random drug test to be conducted next week.

The Department of Health (DOH) together with the Dangerous Drugs Board
(DDB) scheduled random drug tests in Central Visayas after Metro
Manila and Luzon.

DOH and DDB started conducting random drug tests in Metro Manila on
Wednesday.

Doctor Egmidio Omictim, officer-in-charge of DepEd Dumaguete City,
however, told Sun.Star that his office has yet to receive a notice and
memorandum for the scheduled random drug test.

He said they are ready anytime the DOH and DDB decides to conduct a
random drug test on high school students in the city.

The City DepEd has a total of seven high school districts with at
least 1,000 students per district.

Dr. Norma Tale, DepEd Education supervisor for health and nutrition,
said the drug testing personnel would select a certain number of
students for a random drug test.

Tale, however, said teachers and faculty members would just assist the
DOH personnel but would never influence them on who should undergo the
drug test.

She cited a random drug test conducted in Dumaguete City High School
three years ago when a student whom they knew used drugs was not included.

She denied allegations that the drug test personnel would avoid
students who are well off even if they are suspected drug users.

She explained that the drug test personnel do not know who among the
students are rich or poor.

She, however, admitted that there are parents who refuse to let their
children undergo the drug test.

Helpful

Dr. Omictin said the faculty and staff of the City DepEd believe that
random drug testing is helpful to students who are hooked on drugs.

Dr. Tale, on the other hand, said they believe the credibility of a
random drug test is an effective tool to determine drug users.

The two top DepEd officials, however, assured the confidentiality of
the results to protect the students and their families.

Omictin said the purpose of the drug test is not to prosecute the
children but to rehabilitate them.

Tale, on the other hand, believed that the random drug test would not
violate the students' rights, because as their second parents, they
are also concerned with their health and future.

She said a study made by the Silliman University Extension program
showed 30 percent of students in both the secondary and tertiary
levels are hooked on drugs.

Tale, however, clarified that no student was found positive in a
random drug test conducted in Dumaguete City High School three years
ago.

Ma. Joy Catacutan, education supervisor for health in DepEd Negros
Oriental, earlier said students who tested positive for drugs three
years ago underwent rehabilitation.

Catacutan said the Negros Oriental High School and the Manjuyod
National High School were the pilot areas for drug testing where 30
students from each school took the drug test.