DRUG TEST FIRM GOES TO SCHOOLS

One of the country's drug-testing companies has launched a program to
educate students, through symposia, lectures and discussions in selected
schools, about the ills of illegal drugs.

DrugCheck Phils., according to spokesperson Mylon Villasante, has strong
reason to believe that schools are major routes of illegal drugs, thus the
launching of the Alis Droga sa Paaralan program.

"A recent study by our groups illustrate that the cheap supply of illegal
drugs has made them accessible to the youth. High-end drugs like Ecstasy
and cocaine are being peddled in exclusive universities in Metro Manila
while shabu and marijuana continue to exhibit a strong demand base in
secondary and tertiary schools in the University Belt, Intramuros and other
localities," Villasante said in a statement.

Covert inquiries and interviews point to a surprising high use of
methamphetamines among students of medical-related courses.

The Rizal Technological University and the Don Bosco Technological School
were the first schools visited by DrugCheck's Alis Droga sa Paaralan program.