Random Drug Testing in High Schools....

[ghosthunter]

Random Drug Testing in High Schools...

Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Does it contribute to the general safety or a major violation of human rights?

[ghosthunter]

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/144237/D...rs-too---solon

[SIZE="5"]Drug tests in schools should include teachers, too - solon
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FIDEL JIMENEZ, GMANews.TV
01/14/2009 | 11:18 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Teachers and professors should be included in the random drug testing all schools that was ordered by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a lawmaker said Wednesday.

In a report in GMA News’ "24 Oras", Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, a member of the House Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said the random drug test should not be limited only to students.

“It should also include teachers and professors because it is a common knowledge that there are professors and teachers who are also drug dependents,” said Barzada.

Muntinlupa Rep. Rozanno “Ruffy” Biazon, also a member of the committee, expressed doubts that the random drug test for students would solve the country’s problem on illegal drugs.

“Drug testing would only catch the user not pusher,” Biazon said.

In his text message to GMANews.TV, Biazon said that while government’s quick response on the problem on illegal drug is commendable, it is still incomplete to eradicate the social menace.

“The latest action plan addresses the pillars of justice – community, law enforcement, prosecution and the court – but left out what happens after conviction of the accused,” the lawmaker said.

Biazon urged the government to address the problem on prison system which he said suffers from inadequate operational budget and low personnel morale due to low pay.

“Bribe money from convicted drug traffickers enables them to live comfortable lives behind bars. And for some, business even goes on. As a result, the panel aspect is rendered diminished,” he said.

In her report, Tina Panganiban-Perez said Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez also expressed reservation on the mandatory drug test on students as it may violate one’s right to self-incrimination.

“I understand from some constitutionalists that there maybe some constitutional issue here with respect to right to self incrimination,” he said.

For his part, Cebu Rep Antonio Cuenco, vice chairman of the oversight committee, said authorities cannot force student to undergo drug test.

“They should have to get permission of the students to allow a drug test in his body, if the student objects he can’t be compelled,” the Cebu lawmaker said.

But Aurora Rep. Juan Sonny Angara, a lawyer, believed that President Arroyo’s order for mandatory drug test is a valid exercise of the state and does not violate any fundamental constitutional rights. - GMANews.TV

[ghosthunter]

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...uct-drug-tests

[SIZE="5"]
High schools to conduct drug tests
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By Philip Tubeza
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:53:00 01/14/2009

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education will start conducting drug tests among students in all public and private schools across the country after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered a crackdown against students hooked on drugs, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said Wednesday.

Selection of students to be tested will be by lottery.

Lapus said DepEd was simply complying with the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 which provides that schools in the secondary and tertiary-levels should conduct drug testing.

"This is a welcome thing because parents would also be more involved. It is the primary duty of parents to take care of their children and they would not want to send their children to drug-infested schools," Lapus said.

He said DepEd already conducted random drug testing in 2005 but this was discontinued.

"At that time, there was a random sampling of 17 high schools per region with 30 students per school being tested," Lapus said.

"So, close to 9,000 students were tested but in this (latest) order, all of the private and public high schools and those in the tertiary level will conduct random drug testing," he added.

Lapus said this did not mean that all students would be tested. He said there will be random sampling of students per school but all schools will have to participate.

Lapus said the guidelines for the testing have been issued by the Dangerous Drugs Board.

"The guidelines are detailed. There should be a selection board and each school should have a testing coordinator," Lapus said. "Confidentiality and integrity will be observed and we will be coordinating with the Department of Health."

Students to be tested will be chosen by lottery, Lapus said, adding that those found positive for drugs will not be expelled but will be subjected to disciplinary action.

"In 2005, 1.1 percent was found positive and the next procedure would be to have a confirmation test to determine the level of dependency. What follows there is sessions with a counselor," Lapus said.

"So we want to assess the situation. We want to have a deterrent against would-be users," he added.

[ghosthunter]

Ironically, the government isn't forcing the issue of random drug testing in all government agencies including the congress and senate where it would probably do more good as an example to follow.

[ECG]

baka naman drug testing lang yan na gaya sa LTO. walang kwenta.

[XTO]

agree with Ruffy Biazon


“Drug testing would only catch the user not pusher,”

if they they're really serious about this, think about something else

[ab_initio]

In her report, Tina Panganiban-Perez said Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez also expressed reservation on the mandatory drug test on students as it may violate one’s right to self-incrimination.

“I understand from some constitutionalists that there maybe some constitutional issue here with respect to right to self incrimination,” he said.

For his part, Cebu Rep Antonio Cuenco, vice chairman of the oversight committee, said authorities cannot force student to undergo drug test.

“They should have to get permission of the students to allow a drug test in his body, if the student objects he can’t be compelled,” the Cebu lawmaker said.

i believe this can be done without running afoul to the constitutional mandate. if we try to revisit RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, children 15 years old and under are exempt from criminal liability and those over 15 but below 18 maybe exempt when acting without discernment. so when the law says, they are exempt, there's no point discussing the right vs self-incrimination.

But Aurora Rep. Juan Sonny Angara, a lawyer, believed that President Arroyo’s order for mandatory drug test is a valid exercise of the state and does not violate any fundamental constitutional rights.

ditto.

[ab_initio]

Ironically, the government isn't forcing the issue of random drug testing in all government agencies including the congress and senate where it would probably do more good as an example to follow.

.dapat maging mandatory yan...every government employee or officer must be beyond reproach. dapat sila din hindi adik o durugista...at mas lalong di pusher. at sana hindi druglord

[chua_riwap]

Sa La Salle Dasma, mandatory na yan. Requirement sa enrollment so di na bago yan.......

[Horsepower]

Since I'm not a drug user, ok lang ito sa akin.

Even if it catches the user, ok na rin. Pag naubos ang users sa streets, wala nang market ang pushers. When the buying stops, the pushing will stop too.

Dapat kasi hindi tingnan ang users bilang mga helpless victims or whatever because they are not. They are idiots. They used drugs based on their own choosing. Mga adik nga sila so they should be imprisoned and punished for their stupidity.

For me, dapat pareho mabitay ang user and pusher. Wala silang pinagkaiba.