Random Drug Testing in Public and Private Schools

Now on its 1^st year, President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against drugs has been the top issue of the country as it has made a great impact among the lives of the Filipinos. Thousands of blood has been spilled in Duterte’s war on drugs. People who are accused in using drugs are not an exemption to this war. In part of the president’s campaign, he ordered that companies, the government and other agencies must conduct a Random Drug Test to ensure that the people working are drug-free employees. DepEd supports the president’s campaign thus the DO 40, s. 2017 or the Guidelines in Conducting of Random Drug Testing in Public and Private Secondary Schools, has been issued by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones. For almost 27 million students in the country, it is not safe to say that these students are pure and free from drugs. The administration strongly agrees that this implementation is a must in order to provide a secured, drug-free environment for the students.

             As the implementation of the DepEd order, the guidelines follow the parameters laid by Republic Act no. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 and it’s implementing Rules and Regulations, as well as the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 6, Series of 2003, as amended by Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 3, Series of 2009.  Security and protection against these dangerous drugs are the primary concerns of today. Conducting a random drug test helps in determining the possible threats regarding drugs around the school and provide it with immediate solution regarding these threats. Without these threats, the school would become a better place to study, secured from these threats and an enjoyable workplace. Students will feel safer and aware of the things that could greatly affect them and their future. In some cases, if the student is found out to be positive in the test, the government assistance is assured. The Department of Social Welfare and Development would offer rehabilitation and prescribed intervention program under the supervision of the DOH-accredited facility or physician, or private practitioners, in coordination with the parent, to the students who are positive on the test. It would help students recover from drugs and be given a chance to change and get back to their life. Confidentiality of the test results are assured. Conducting the random drug test ensures the entire welfare of the students. The test shall guarantee and respect the personal privacy and dignity of the students.

             
             Random drug test is conducted in order to determine the prevalence of drug users among students and to assess the effectivity of any school-based programs. By this, the government would look for solutions on deterring the use of illegal drugs and to strengthen the government’s efforts against these dangerous drugs.

             Random drug testing is part of the department's support to President Duterte's war on drugs. Following the guidelines ensures the safety of the students and the environment against these problems. The test differs to “tokhang” as it assesses the security of the students without spilling blood while resolving the problem of drugs but instead offers the student to be rehabilitate and given second chances. The Administration believes that support from the public is needed to strengthen the quality of education and the efforts of the government for its campaign. Spreading its awareness can contribute to the strengthening of the campaign. Doing random drug testing in public and private schools can help the community in their awareness and safety from illegal drug problems.


by: Jaren Dave M. Marfil