The institution stands in favor of the serious implementation of Section 36 of Republic Act No. (RA) 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, that requires mandatory drug testing of candidates for public office, students of secondary and tertiary schools, officers and employees of public and private offices, and persons charged before the prosecutor’s office with certain offenses as well as all candidates for public office whether appointed or elected both in the national or local government, not only because it would be helpful in identifying the problem at the start but it would also serve as a strong discouragement for all people who have thought about drug abuse. The higher chances of getting caught, ridiculed and penalized would prevent a lot of people especially teenagers from getting into this bad habit.
There is a clear and present problem with drug use especially among teenagers not only here in the Philippines but in many countries as well. Current measures to tackle drugs at the source (i.e. by imprisoning dealers and breaking the supply chain) are gradually succeeding especially during this present administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wherein we can really feel the change. Some sacrifice of human rights is necessary to tackle the drug problem. The government has the ultimate responsibility to protect the citizens. And random drug tests are an effective measure on both the individual as well as the social level.
Right to Privacy in Random Drug Testing
In certain circumstances, the institution believes that it is better to compromise certain rights in order to uphold other values. While it can be argued that these tests compromise one's right to privacy, we have to realize that safety and health are much more important. It is just like the controls at the airports: We disclose our personal data in exchange for greater safety.
Students who do not break the law by taking drugs have nothing to fear and will never think that their civil rights and liberties has been violated.
Deterring Drug Abuse
The future benefits should be taken into account too. Given that random tests have the deterrent effect, they prevent the development of serious addictions (such as when people move on from marijuana to heroine). Deterring drug use is the main objective of random drug testing. The purpose of random drug testing is not so much to catch offenders but to prevent all students from offending in the first place. Random drug testing allows for early detection and intervention.
Random drug testing will effectively utilize social and peer pressures: Peer pressure is the primary cause of experimentation with drugs. Discouraging drug use amongst athletes, models, students etc. sends a powerful message. Students have a built-in reason to resist peer pressure, a well-known reason why kids experiment with drugs.
Nothing to Fear
There are many simple methods of drug testing that are not too invasive. Urine, hair and breath samples can be used to detect use of most common drugs, especially cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine or PCP. So, there is no need to be afraid of this random drug test.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
Drug education clearly does not work. Although young people have enough information about drugs, they carry on ruining their health. Therefore, new method is needed, in this case, the random drug test.
Random drug tests make the school environment better. Instead of having students high (or even with worse symptoms), we are moving on to having responsible students aware of the consequences that come with drug usage. Through random drug testing, our government is sending the right message: "Drugs are wrong and harmful". Children have to realize that taking drugs is never OK and that they should not get away with it. Random tests are basically saying: "If you are breaking the law, you have to deal with the consequences."
Schools and offices that are complying are fulfilling their duties in promoting a safe and drug free environment through random drug testing. Random drug testing increases chances for students to have a successful future. It also helps parents have peace of mind in knowing that their kids are not into drugs and they are not exposed to drugs in school.
Worthy Investment
The institution knows we are talking a lot of tax money that could be used for the betterment of our educational system or other issues and country problems but the benefits outweigh the costs. Due to the fact that these tests act as deterrents and lead to a drug-free school environment and thus a healthier and better society, they are clearly worth the costs. It is some sort of an investment. It's always worth the investment, as long as the authority conducting random drug testing shall be clever and wise enough in order not to let kids to get away with it. Because the institution have heard, all they have to do is take a product for erasing drugs in their system (for most drugs the institution believe), and it won't show up on a test. Also a lot of people get someone else to pee for them that has clean urine. They just hide it in their pants. So the institution doesn’t know if this would be all that effective.
Conclusion
Therefore, with the rising number of minors killed in President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, we should not be worried. We should be thankful, instead, to our most beloved President of the Philippines for facing bravely and seriously against these problems in drug-addiction and other drug-related criminalities in our beloved country, the Philippines.
Written by: Jose Virgilio G. Calambuhay Jr., a Grade 11 STEM Student at
Science and Technology Education Center (STEC) on
September 7, 2017