Deped to implement random drug testing

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

The Department of Education – Cagayan de Oro School Division (Deped-CdO) is set to implement the conduct of random drug testing of students from both public and private secondary schools in the city.

This was disclosed by Dr. Rey Manuel, assistant school division superintendent as they prepare to implement the random drug testing to all secondary schools in the city.

The school division, however, is still waiting for the implementing guidelines.

“Wala ta’y record nga rampant ang illegal drugs but naa gyu’y nagagamit sa illegal drugs diha sa mga tunghaan. We are awaiting implementing protocol and guidelines. We are sending few personnel in Metro Manila to get the guidelines personally,” he said.

Last week, Education Secretary Leonor Briones issued Department Order Number 40, series 2017 the “Guidelines for the Conduct of Random Drug Testing in Public and Private Secondary Schools.”

The guidelines is addressed to all undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, regional directors, schools division superintendents, and division chiefs  for the immediate implementation.

Manuel said use of illegal drugs is already monitored in almost all schools in the city. The prohibited use of illegal drugs is already integrated in all subjects. Guidance counselor and prefects of discipline have been tasked to conduct initial counseling.

“Guidance counselors were task to conduct immediate counseling to all students found to have used illegal drugs. Those found positive with the use illegal drugs during the random drug testing will be subjected to confirmation and admitted for possible rehabilitation,” he said.

He said the Deped division schools and any school authorities will summon and call the attention of the parents for the submission for immediate rehabilitation based on the level of drugs inflection.

“All levels (will) be targeted for the random drug testing. We will protect the rights of every individual which also include behavioral and psychological identification during the process of the implementation,” he added.