DEPED CONDUCTS RANDOM DRUG TESTS IN MINDANAO HIGH SCHOOLS

To discourage the use of prohibited drugs in the country's high schools,
the Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday made an unannounced random
drug testing in 17 public and private schools in Southern Mindanao.

According to DepEd school Health and Nutrition Center director Thelma
Santos the drug testing covers secondary students in Southern Mindanao.

Santos said under the program, selected public schools and private schools
in every region are required to undergo the test, 30 students are randomly
selected by school officials in each schools.

The program is pursuant to Republic Act 9165 also known as the
comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 which mandates the random drug
testing of students in private and public secondary schools.

Santos said the program has five objectives: To determine which among the
students are using drugs, to assess the efficacy of school-based and
community based prevention programs, to deter the use of illegal drugs, to
facilitate the rehabilitation of drug users and dependents and to
strengthen the collaboration among identified agencies against the use of
illegal drugs and in the rehabilitation of drug users and dependents.

But, Santos noted the results will be strictly confidential in order to
protect the identity of the students found positive of illegal drug use.

She stressed no school shall publish the results whether positive or
negative of drug use.

Santos said if the result is positive during the initial and confirmatory
drug test, the coordinator shall refer to any Department of Health
accredited agency to determine the student's dependency level.

She added if the student is found dependent, the school principal may
impose the appropriate action against the student based on school
regulations, after which the students shall undergo three months
observation and counseling.

Santos added if the student shows no sign of improvement or recovery, the
student may opt to enroll in a private rehabilitation center.

It can be recalled DepEd had recently conducted a similar random school
drug testing in the National Capital Region.