MANILA CITY GOV'T URGES DRUG TEST ON STUDENTS

The Manila city government asked yesterday schools authorities to conduct
random drug testing on their students regularly following reports that the
number of drug users in the country has grown to an alarming level.

Second District Councilor Rolan Valeriano said the program, which the
Department of Education (DepEd) has implemented last year, must be
performed to students in public and private high schools and colleges to
address the problem of drug abuse by the young people.

Also covered by the test are vocational schools. The student sector is one
of six groups required under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Drug
Act of 2002 to undergo drug testing. The other five groups are individuals
who secure driver's and firearms licenses from the PNP, candidates for
national or local elections, inmates serving imprisonment of six years and
longer and government and private sector employees.

Earlier, Valeriano, in a resolution, asked the officials of the Philippine
Charity Sweepstakes Office to allow the city government to use its old
building in San Marcelino St., Ermita, as additional drug rehabilitation
center for drug dependents.

"The drug situation is very alarming. Instead of getting it resolved, it is
getting worse. Statistics said 65-70 percent of prison inmates were
convicted for drug-related crimes. We must find ways to resolve it," he said.

He said shabu, which comes from China, could be availed even by
out-of-school youth or tricycle drivers despite their meager income.