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Friday, March 29, 2024

‘Dope test best left for schools to handle’

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SCHOOL authorities, not the Philippine National Police, should conduct anti-drug operations inside school campuses, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Friday.

“The mandate that we have in the law in Republic Act 9165 is for the authorities to do it, not the PNP,” said Sotto, author of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Sotto pointed out that conducting drug tests on students should not be part of police operations.

“The effect will not be good, and it will not leave a good impression,” said the Senate leader.

A drug test is not a “witch hunt” but part of awareness and prevention program against illegal drugs, he said.

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“You are informing the students and 13-year-olds that they are being tested for drugs because it is not good for them and they should not use it,” Sotto said.

The Commission on Higher Education earlier released Memorandum Order No. 18 Series of 2018, which provides the guidelines for the conduct of drug tests for students in higher education institutions (HEIs).

Section 2.4 under Rule II of the memorandum also allows local government units, the PNP, or any authorized law enforcement agency to conduct legitimate anti-drug operations inside the premises of HEIs, provided they coordinate with school officials.

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