METRO STUDENTS RANDOM DRUG TEST NOW ON-GOING

PASIG CITY - The random drug testing of students in public and private
secondary, tertiary and vocational-technical schools is now on-going
throughout the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced here
recently.

The activity was earlier announced by Education Secretary Edilberto C. De
Jesus through DepEd Order No. 63, s. 2003 which also tasked the DepEd
regional directors, schools division superintendents and school principals
to oversee the drug testing program in their respective areas.

The enforcement of the program, the order said, follows necessary guidelines
issued by the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB).

According to the order, the random drug testing (RDT) seeks to determine the
prevalence of drug users among students, assess the effectivity of school
and community-based prevention programs, deter the use of illegal drugs, and
facilitate the rehabilitation of drug users and dependents.

The DDB said the student population of randomly chosen schools are included
in the sampling with the selection of students and drug testing being done
on the same day.

The results of the drug test, to be conducted by a duly accredited
drug-testing laboratory, are strictly confidential and delivered on a sealed
envelope to the school Drug Testing Coordinator (DTC) who later informs all
the students tested of the test results.

In case the test results are positive, the DTC shall inform both the student
and parent concerned that a confirmatory test would be conducted.

The order stipulates that a student found to be drug-dependent may be
imposed appropriate sanctions even as he/she shall undergo a three-month
observation and counselling period for his ultimate rehabilitation.