TEACHERS MAY NOW MAKE DRUG ARRESTS IN SCHOOL

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

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

Legarda said the arrest powers may be exercised even beyond the immediate
vicinity of schools if they (officials) are in attendance at 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 found
committing drug crimes on campus.

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

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 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' DrugWatch
Foundation, said.