SCHOOL OFFICIALS, TEACHERS CAN NOW LEAD DRUG ARRESTS

School authorities are now empowered to arrest any person committing drug
offenses on campuses.

Senate Majority Leader Loren Legarda said that under the New Dangerous
Drugs Law, also known as Republic Act 9165, school heads, supervisors, and
teachers may arrestor cause the arrest of suspected drug fiends in school
or within its immediate area.

Legarda said the arrest powers may be exercised even beyond the immediate
vicinity of schools if they (officials) are in attendance in any school or
class function in their capacity as (school) heads, supervisors, and teachers.

The senator said teachers and school employees are now duty-bound to report
to their immediate superiors or to the proper authorities any person
committing drug crimes on campus.

Failure to do so within a reasonable period from discovery of the violation
shall, after due hearing, constitute a sufficient cause for disciplinary
action by the school authorities, Leviste said.

Legarda, meanwhile, said the new law provides for the random drug-testing
of high school and college students in public and private schools.

Expenses for the random drug-testing will be borne by the government.

"We are confident these provisions would go a long way in curbing drug use
and pushing in schools," Legarda, an official of the Citizens' Drug Watch
Foundation, said.