CHED to conduct mandatory drug testing to college students next year

• Mandatory random drug testing will be conducted in universities, colleges and higher educational institutions next year.
• PNP assured that there will be no human rights violations in such operations.

On November 5, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced that students universities, colleges, and other higher educational institutions will have to undergo mandatory random drug test next academic school year.

CHED has released a memorandum order to implement the intervention. According to CHED chairperson Prospero De Vera, this is to help create an environment with a healthy lifestyle.

“Ang ginagawa natin sa loob ng mga pamantasan ay mag-create ng environment ng healthy lifestyle. Huwag nating hintayin na umabot sa punto na masyadong talamak na ‘yung problema bago tayo mag-intervene.”

The memorandum states that such tests should be done with consultations with not just the student, but their parents as well. It can only be done by Department of Health accredited facilities, physicians, and private medical practitioners.

The Board of Regents and Student Governing Boards also need to agree to the intervention.

Not everyone, however, agrees with the plan as other students expressed their concern over the confidentiality of the results. University of San Carlos councilor Basilio Claudio asked about the assurance that there will be no discrimination against those who will have negative results.

“It’s possible din that the school admin will go… may previous disciplinary cases ka, how do we ensure din na even ‘yung treatment ng students who might yield positive results they are not discriminated upon.”

He further suggested that the tests should not be disclosed to the public.

Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde stated that there will be no human rights violations in the upcoming operations.

“We will not come in na parang magco-conduct ng buy-bust. No, we will not do that. We will surely coordinate with the faculty, administrator, or sa mga security managers nila sa mga different schools.”