Better prevention programs implementation sought

MANILA, Philippines — Instead of expanding drug testing for students, the government should ensure better implementation of drug prevention programs in schools to avoid drug dependency among the youth, the head of the Dangerous Drugs Board said yesterday.

DDB chairperson Catalino Cuy said other prevention programs would have a “better impact” on students instead of conducting mandatory drug testing on millions of students.

“More than expanding the coverage of students who will have to undergo random drug testing, we feel that ensuring the implementation of other prevention programs in schools will have a better impact,” Cuy said. This comes as Education Secretary Leonor Briones warned against the possible lasting impact on children of the proposed mandatory drug testing for students Grade 4 and above. The Department of Education had expressed reservations over the proposal to conduct mandatory drug testing, as Briones also cited possible human rights issues that could arise.  Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino made the proposal to conduct mandatory drug testing on schoolchildren as young as 10 years old last month, drawing opposition from many sectors.