To make drug testing in schools mandatory or not is an issue that’s been going through two government agencies with different schools of thought.
At the moment, the operative law on drug testing in schools is the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly Section 36 (c). which stipulates:
(c) Students of secondary and tertiary schools. – Students of secondary and tertiary schools shall, pursuant to the related rules and regulations as contained in the school’s student handbook and with notice to the parents, undergo a random drug testing.
With that provision of law clearly stated, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) cannot do otherwise but deal with it. The random nature of drug testing is supported by the Department of Education (Deped).
PDEA had been knocking on the doors of Deped to support its proposal to make drug testing mandatory from merely being random, but the education department is not about to give in.
Just how effective mandatory drug testing will be in schools cannot be significantly measured with accuracy unless the law is amended.
In Davao City, mandating all establishments to create a drug-free workplace is covered by a city ordinance passed by the City Council in 2013. City Ordinance No. 0506-13 or the Mandatory Drug Testing in business establishments is a requisite for the renewal of business permits starting 2020. Drug testing for employees is voluntary but the ordinance mandates establishments employing 10 persons and more to create a drug-free workplace program. This was recently commended by the PDEA for advancing the thrust to make establishments free from illegal drugs.
However, the progress of the campaign for a drug-free society may be making inroads in the workplace, there is much left to do in schools.
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said the current set-up is enough to prevent students from engaging in illegal drugs. Which leads us to think. Is it really enough? Or do we need out lawmakers to act on amending existing laws.
