Pubdate: Mon, 04 Oct 2004 Source: People's Tonight (Philippines) Website: http://www.journal.com.ph Feedback: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp Address: Railroad Street And 19th And 20th Streets, Port Area, Manila, Philippines Fax: (+63 2) 572-4651 Copyright: Journal Group 2004 Author: Mia B. Billones Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) MANILA CITY GOV'T URGES DRUG TEST ON STUDENTS The Manila city government asked yesterday schools authorities to conduct random drug testing on their students regularly following reports that the number of drug users in the country has grown to an alarming level. Second District Councilor Rolan Valeriano said the program, which the Department of Education (DepEd) has implemented last year, must be performed to students in public and private high schools and colleges to address the problem of drug abuse by the young people. Also covered by the test are vocational schools. The student sector is one of six groups required under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002 to undergo drug testing. The other five groups are individuals who secure driver's and firearms licenses from the PNP, candidates for national or local elections, inmates serving imprisonment of six years and longer and government and private sector employees. Earlier, Valeriano, in a resolution, asked the officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to allow the city government to use its old building in San Marcelino St., Ermita, as additional drug rehabilitation center for drug dependents. "The drug situation is very alarming. Instead of getting it resolved, it is getting worse. Statistics said 65-70 percent of prison inmates were convicted for drug-related crimes. We must find ways to resolve it," he said. He said shabu, which comes from China, could be availed even by out-of-school youth or tricycle drivers despite their meager income. - ---