PRO-7, CPADAO support drug test in schools

CEBU, Philippines — Both the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) and the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO) welcome initial plans to hold surprise drug tests in all schools.

Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, director of PRO-7, said the initiative of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is a good move to bring to the grassroots level how to confront proliferation of illegal drugs.

He said that children as young as 10 years old or those who are in Grade 4 would be aware of the process of drug tests, and also the ill-effects of illegal drugs to the body and the community.

"Kung mag-conduct ug drug test ang mga eskwelahan, mu-support mi because it is a form of prevention.  Kung ako amahan, gusto nako maprotektahan nako ako anak aning illegal ngadrugas," he said.

Drug testing will cover both the school employees and students.

 "Na-align mi sa PDEA, kay sila man ang lead agency sa anti-illegal drugs. We will support what the agency sees fit," Sinas said.

CPADAO head Ivy Durano Meca believes that if done properly, drug testing can help the students realize the bad effects of drugs.

She added it should be done with the participation of DSWD.

"If done sensitively, it can impress upon children the real threat of drug addiction if they are not aware and conscious of it. It needs to be done with sensitivity so the students will be educated instead of traumatized," she said.

She explained that conducting drug test in schools allows for early detection and intervention.

It also means the students will have a built-in reason to resist peer pressure, the cause why kids experiment with drugs and the schools are fulfilling their duty in promoting a safe and drug free environment.

Based on previous reports, it was PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino who proposed to conduct surprise drug tests in schools.

To recall, on June 13, six male students including two minors were taken into police custody after they were caught using marijuana at the back of Cebu City Sports Complex.

All were charged since the minors signed certificate of discernment through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The students availed of plea bargaining during court proceeding, which means admitting to the charges filed in exchanged for a lower penalty. — Le Phyllis F. Antojado/MBG (FREEMAN)