Ex-senator supports voluntary drug test

CEBU – Former senator Ernesto “Boy” Herrera supported the voluntary drug test among students and teachers of public and private schools, as one way of curbing illegal drugs.

Herrera, founder of the Citizens Drug Watch Foundation Inc., told The FREEMAN that the reports involving some teachers and students into the abuse of illegal drugs need immediate attention from the government.

According to Herrera, if a teacher is addicted to illegal drugs, there is a big possibility that he or she can influence the students.

“Nasayod kita kun unsa ang kalihokan sa usa ka tawo kun kini nagpakabuang sa gidiling drogas, dili na kini mahimong kaila sa mga miyembro sa iyang pamilya ug mga higala, maong gikinahanglan mahatagan kini sa dinalian nga aksyon,” Herrera said.

The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education have announced that they will implement a drug testing program in high schools, universities and colleges nationwide in response to President Gloria Arroyo’s renewed campaign against illegal drugs.

Herrera, though, said that they cannot force teachers and students to undergo drug testing as these people have rights to be respected. “Pero kun wala lang unta’y gitago ang usa ka magtutudlo ingon man usa ka tinun-an dili siya angayan nga mahadlok nga ipaubos sa drug test,” Herrera said.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers opposed strongly the random drug test, contending that the program will violate certain basic rights. First of all, it said the move is discriminatory.

“Why are teachers and students as a group being singled out for testing? Does being in school make one more likely to be a drug user?” the group asked. “Secondly, that is an invasion to privacy. No one can be compelled to undergo testing without his or her consent,” it added.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, herself a former teacher, said, “forcing them to undergo tests for possible substance abuse while completely ignoring their long-time call to raise their salaries is an insult to teachers.”

She said that the funds to be used for the testing program could be put to better use such as for the training of guidance counselors, in identifying and counseling drug users in schools.

Ilagan questioned Arroyo’s “credibility in being an anti-drug czar”, saying “how could that be when her administration is beset with all sorts of corruption and influence-peddling scandals?” — Jose P. Sollano/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)