DAVAO CITY (November 8)–Â There was a positive response on the proposed mandatory drug tests in schools for students in the fourth grade level and above, results of the Social Weather Station (SWS) survey shows.
This means, that among the respondents of the survey conducted on September, 51 % believe that children of about 10 years of age and above should undergo mandatory drug tests.
Positive responses were particularly strong in Visayas with a net agreement of +47 (very strong), followed by Mindanao at +25 (moderately strong), Metro Manila at +17 (moderately strong) and Balance Luzon at a neutral -6.
The results yielded a net agreement of +15, classified under the “very strong” category.
The proposal for mandatory drug tests among Grade 4 students and above was floated by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), but this was met with skepticism from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine National Police, contending that 10 years old is “much too young” to be subjected to drug tests.
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones said a change in the law is needed before the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) can implement its proposed mandatory drug testing for school children.
Briones said surprise drug testing for secondary and tertiary education students is enough to determine the severity of drug cases in schools and universities.
She pointed out the discrepancy between PDEA and DepEd’s data on minor drug users. “Ang sinasabi nila pataas nang pataas ang numbers,” Briones said. “Sa amin, mababang-mababa ang sa amin. So may disparity.”
The Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002Â only authorizes drug testing for secondary and tertiary level students .- Jiann Padillo/ NewsLine
