DepEd-11 rejects PDEA-led drug test in schools

DAVAO CITY – With the opening of the classes here, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) XI is eyeing to conduct drug testing in some schools after receiving reports of drug activities of some high school students.

The Department of Education in Region 11 (DepEd-11), however, is opposed to the idea.

Antonio Rivera, PDEA-11 director, in an interview on Monday said they received reports of marijuana use by some students. He did not elaborate.

But Rivera underscored the importance of drug testing as a way of reducing demand for drugs, along with information campaign on the ill-effects of drugs.

“That is why we have schools here na ginabantayan nato (that we are monitoring). In fact, we will be coordinating with the Prefect of discipline because we have a suggestion. This refers to the high school if they will agree if we can conduct drug testing to the students,” he further said.

Rivera lamented that the principal of one school has not responded yet, although PDEA will continue to coordinate with authorities.

In a separate interview, Jenielito Atillo, DepEd-11 spokesperson, said that current policy only allow the Department of Health to conduct drug testing in schools and among the teachers.

“It is only the DOH and not the other agencies. So if they want to do that DepEd is saying "no" because it must be the DOH, not PDEA (that will conduct the drug testing),” Atillo said.

Atillo said any drug testing in schools should be conducted randomly.

“We will also want to identify what school is this (PDEA-11 is referring to). They should follow the process because we are protecting the rights of the children. The random drug test refers to the health issues and then we try to know the health of the child, unlike law enforcement agencies which have a different direction,” he added.

Atillo pointed out that DepEd considers the drug problem as a health issue, ensuring that testing should only be done to help the child. (Rhoda Grace Saron/PNA)