DRUG TESTING IN SCHOOLS

*The following was written based on DO 40, s. 2017 - Guidelines for the Conduct of Random Drug Testing in Public and Private Secondary Schools

www.icbl.43154/html

Committee: STEC ICARE Organization
Topic: Random Drug Testing in Public and Private Secondary Schools

Country: Philippines
Delegate: Stephen Quijano, Science and Technology Education Center

     

     Despite a decline in adolescent drug use over the past years, the prevalence of illicit substance use among youth remains high and a cause of concern. As it affects the society intensely, the government which includes the Department of Education (DepEd) issues the implementation of Random Drug Testing in Public and Private Secondary Schools, which govern mandatory drug testing in both public and private secondary schools in School Year 2017-2018 and thereafter. And as to deal with these issues, the interest of cooperation and the desire for a peaceful, stable community, we strongly consent the implementation of the order to keep the society safe and well-developed.

    In the late 1980's, large-scale drug and alcohol testing was instituted in many segments of the U.S. civilian workplace. Random testing is widely used, particularly in high-risk employment settings, whereas pre-employment drug testing is used routinely to screen potential employees even in low-risk fields. As sated in an American study, the formal definition of drug testing is any administered to detect the presence of drugs, especially from a urine or blood sample and especially for illegal substances.

     Drug use among the adolescents continues to be a crucial issue in school. The level of student drug use has waver over the past 25 years. Implementing the DO 40, s. 2017 or the mandatory drug-testing policies have become a legal issue in the Philippines, as parents have sued schools to uphold student’s right to privacy and as they believed that to enforce random drug testing the notion of innocence until proven guilty will be violated and nothing will justifies the sacrifice of human rights for innocent people. In contrast, the random student drug testing order brings greater impact in addressing the problems of drug use and substance abuse that are rapidly increasing among Filipinos.

     Averting students who uses drugs is the main objective of random drug testing. It is not the thought of catching offenders but to prevent all students from offending in the first place. In addition, perhaps, the single biggest advantage of drug testing is the fact that it promotes a healthy and a safe place. After all, it is undeniable that students who use or abuse drugs pose a safety risk in a certain place. It will lessen the risks of an accident  that could lead to further injuries.

     Moreover, it also helps students with drug problems. Students with drug problems can benefit from drug tests, especially if they work with students who are dedicated on helping them in any way they can. As well as, students that were involved in drugs get a chance to get clean and be free from drug abuse.

     Secondly, it reduces potential violence or conflict. With the implementation of a drug testing program, the organization will be able to pinpoint and deal with drug abusing students before any incidents of conflict and violence ever take place. With the implementation of a drug testing program, the association, or primarily the organization will have the capacity to pinpoint and manage to tranquilize mishandling students before any occurrences of contention and violence could ever take place.

     Lastly, it helps educate students about the dangers of drugs. Most drug testing programs often form part of a comprehensive company drug policy which aims to increase awareness about the dangers of drugs. This is usually achieved through information campaigns, seminars, training, drug forums and the like. Most drug testing programs frequently frame some portion of a comprehensive organization which intends to build mindfulness about the perils of drugs. Which is normally accomplished through seminars, , trainings, sedate drug discussions. Furthermore, it deters workers from abusing and using drugs. While there is no assurance that drug testing system will make the users drop their propensity, the possibility of getting tested randomly should give them something to think about if they care about their  careers.

   Despite considerable recent public and judicial attention to the issue of drug-testing it is necessary to explore the issue. For specific condition it is preferred to bargain specific privileges in place which maintain other qualities. At the same time it may be contended that these tests trade off one's straight on privacy, we must understand that security and also well being are significantly, more vital. Nevertheless drug testing has been an attractive strategy to some administrators of schools that have an illicit drug use problem.

-Stephen Quijano (STEM-Mendeleev)