Gordon opposes random drug test for students

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon has frowned upon the random drug test program launched last week to determine and curb the prevalence of drug abuse among high school students nationwide.

Gordon said conducting random drug testing among students is not the best and most effective way of preventing narcotics syndicates from preying on young people as victims.

"I laud the government for addressing the drug proliferation problem. However, I do not think that conducting random drug test among high school students would be very helpful because it would not deter drug syndicates from victimizing these students," he said.

"It is our responsibility to keep our students absolutely focused and engaged on academic activities. We should exert all efforts to ensure that our schools are drug-free by providing them with an environment conducive to learning," he added.

The Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), started the random drug test program last week in about 60 schools in Metro Manila despite oppositions from various sectors.

The DepEd is set to expand the random drug testing program, which will cost around P25 million, to Baguio , Cebu, Davao , and Cagayan De Oro and expects to complete the testing in 8,000 secondary schools nationwide by November.

However, the DepEd explained that only shabu and marijuana can be detected from the drug tests it is conducting since it would be too expensive for the department to purchase kits that can identify traces of ecstasy and cocaine, which are considered as luxury drugs.

Based on the latest DDB figures, there are about half a million young people aged fourteen and below who were found out to be using illegal drugs.

Aside from the random drug test on students, Gordon also disclosed that he wants Republic Act 9165 (RA9165) or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 amended to abolish the mandatory drug test for drivers.

Instead of conducting random drug test on students, Gordon said he intends to file a bill to amend the law, which would provide for arbitrary drug test, instead of mandatory, on drivers, especially those who drive long vehicles, such as buses and trucks.

"I intend to file an amendment to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act to provide for a random drug test on drivers instead of the mandatory drug test being implemented by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)," he said.

Under the present law, applicants for driver's license and the renewal thereof are required to undergo mandatory drug test undertaken by drug testing laboratories authorized by the DOH. It also requires random drug test for students of secondary and tertiary schools and officers and employees of public and private offices.