DRUG TESTING... WHAT'S THE COMMON INTEREST?

Jerry Acuña, not the real name, 14 years old, a high school student: Jerry would be a famous football player today if his parents knew at an early stage, that their son used  dangerous drug. The school, if properly monitored, could guarantee his protection and might be able to prevent him by counselling and rehabilitating at the very least. Jerry became insane and died due to drug overdosed.

 

"There's no legal basis", "It's just a waste of fund", "It will not work", "It violated one's constitutional right"  are  some of the words uttered by those who show  disapproval on the Random Drug Testing.

 

Our constitution, as our supreme law, valued the right against self incrimination and the right to privacy, thereby commenting that the Dangerous Drugs Board's order is unconstitutional.

 

President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo occasioned to launch nationwide random drug testing to students in secondary and tertiary levels in recent memory of the controversy of the Alabang Boy's. The Chairman of the Dangerous Drug Board, former Senator Sotto, made this recommendation to the President. Outrightly, the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Health respond to this order.

 

Would this order prosper, or, in the end, will achieve nothing? Some say that this order will not prove to be preventive, deterrent, nor reductive because their is no specific study from the Dangerous Drugs Board that validates the proposal. In America, major studies show that random drug testing to check student substance used has no deterrent effect. Clearly, the task still becomes a whole guessing game.

 

However, the Department of Education in the Philippines plainly acted in good faith patronizing such order. Everything starts in school and must therefore finds ways and means for the good of the students. It is their act of help; a responsibility for the future leaders in the country. DepEd assures that the result of the test is confidential, with only the parents and principal knowing about it. The student who test positive for drugs would not have chance being bullied by their classmates.

 

If students have to undergo random drug testing, why not include the teachers as well? The Commission on Higher Education said, faculty members will be included in the drug testing. Teachers are models of the students and the school should not tolerate these abusive teachers. They are bound to follow the Teacher's Code of Professional Ethics. They must always remember that people are paying for their work today as well as their pension later. In addition, they must conduct themselves properly and serve the students, by teaching and guiding them whether or not they are still on the right tract.

 

Once the test have been conducted, this should not end as mess. Counselling and rehabilitation must be conducted. Using drugs will result to tension, anxiety, irritability and anger for some as the hallmarks and must be properly addressed thereof.

 

Murder, homicide, rape, robbery and scandal are few crimes caused by drugs. People don't like these things to happen. The common interest therefore is that we value life. We should not allow that life will be taken away with ignominy and cruelty of the person who is under the evil force of drugs. Under the Random Drug Testing, those found positive for the use of drugs shall be placed in rehabilitation centers for a minimum period of six months, but those who will be caught for the second time will be sent to jail and made to pay a fine ranging from Php. 50,000 to Php. 200,000.

 

The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education are the best departments in eliminating the use of drugs. These departments inculcate the value of life through proper education. Everyone does not like crimes to happen. Random Drug Testing is one of the ways that protect, prevent, and stop the use of dangerous drugs that may lead to cause crimes.