PDEA wants mandatory drug tests in schools

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) wants mandatory drug tests for all pupils and students in both public and private schools nationwide.

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "Balitanghali", the agency is proposing drug tests for those in Grade Four and up, as well as for teachers and staff.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said the agency has asked the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to come up with regulations regarding the proposal that will be forwarded to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Aquino said no one should be exempted from the order, as PDEA aimed to keep illegal drugs away from schools.

Just recently, PDEA caught a 10-year-old Grade 4 pupil allegedly using drugs, while three teachers were nabbed in Mindanao for drug-related offenses.

Aquino said they received information that some teachers even sell drugs to students in their schools.

PDEA also announced that it was pushing for an academic subject on illegal drugs in schools where students could be oriented regarding marijuana, shabu and the popular party drugs.

The agency said drug use usually started with curiosity of the students, who will eventually taste and abuse illegal drugs later on. But the problem can be treated with proper education regarding illegal drugs and its negative effects.

Meanwhile, PDEA has paraded its newly acquired apparatuses, mobiles and equipment worth P190-million to be used in their drug operations around the country.

It included 43 passenger vans worth more than P61 million; 20 sedan worth P18 million; and 150 motorcycles worth P12 million.

The PDEA has also purchased forensic equipment, surveillance, protective gears and guns but were not presented as they have yet to wait the full delivery.

The agency also acquired computer equipment worth P8.2 million.

It is all part of the agency's modernization program to accomplish their mandate to fight illegal drugs in the country. —Jamil Santos/NB, GMA News