Pubdate: Sun, 01 Feb 2009
Source: Daily Tribune, The (Philippines)
Copyright: 2009 The Tribune Publishing Co., Inc.
Contact:  http://www.tribune.net.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2973
Author: Gina Peralta-Elorde

DDB ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR RANDOM DRUG TESTING OF STUDENTS NATIONWIDE

Guidelines have been issued by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) for 
the conduct of random drug testing for students to ensure human 
rights will not be violated with its implementation in the different 
schools nationwide.

DDB Chairman Vicente Sotto III said the document expounds on the 
intents of the board regulation passed by the DDB way back in 2003 
which state that the activity is a regular program and not just a 
reaction of the government as a result of the "Alabang Boys" controversy.

"Random drug testing is preventive rather than punitive," Sotto said.

The former senator added the move was aimed at preventing illegal 
drug use among students and providing immediate rehabilitative 
assistance to those found positive for drugs.

Other objectives include the assessment of the drug problem in 
schools, the evaluation of school and community-based anti-illegal 
drug programs and the strengthening of collaboration of agencies 
involved in the campaign against the social menace.

Drug abuse prevention, confidentiality, informed participation, 
scientific and computer-mediated selection, provision of necessary 
health assistance and protection of student welfare stand supreme in 
random drug testing.

The government is set to run the activity in all 8,455 secondary and 
1,726 tertiary schools nationwide starting Feb. 2, 2009. Vocational 
school students and tertiary level faculty members will likewise 
undergo drug test.

The earlier random drug testing conducted among high school students 
in 2005 found 67 students, or 0.8 percent, positive for drugs and 
among college students in 2007, 39 students or 0.5 percent.

Those who tested positive were assessed for drug dependency and 
proved to be drug users. They were assisted to the nearest 
out-patient facilities for regular sessions of individual, group and 
family counseling.

For regions without treatment and rehabilitation centers, doctors 
from the Department of Health Central Office personally took charge 
of the assessment, counseling and eventual referral of the students 
to local psychiatrists and medical professionals.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart