CHED urges resumption of drug testing in tertiary schools
The drug testing in tertiary schools have momentarily stopped because of lack of funds, but the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) urges its resumption soonest.
CHED Asst. Regional Director Rex Casiple said only 88 tertiary schools have so far been subjected to random drug testing out of the 148, and only one college student was found positive.
Casiple said CHED could have finished the testing during the school year 2008-2009 yet but funds derailed the plan, as it is with this current activity.
He said they may resume this year but the period is still indefinite, besides the fact that there is no current “drug test specialist” from the Department of Health (DOH) in the Region.
Casiple added that drug testing seeks to determine the prevalence of drug use among students for appropriate interventions, assess the effectiveness of school and community-based drug prevention programs, help adolescents avoid peer pressure in drugs use, facilitate the referral/treatment of drug users and dependents, and strengthen the collaboration efforts of identified agencies against the use of illegal drugs and the treatment of users and dependents.
The drug testing in schools is a joint project of the CHED, the DOH and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
President Arroyo, who took over the helm of the government’s anti-drug efforts, has ordered the random drug testing in schools. (PIA6/ESS)
