CHED OKs mandatory drug testing for college students

By Janvic Mateo (The Philippine Star), Aug 6, 2017

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has allowed higher education institutions (HEIs) to conduct mandatory drug testing on college students.

CHED chair Patricia Licuanan said in a recently approved memorandum that HEIs are allowed to implement a mandatory drug testing program as a valid exercise of its academic freedom.

“All HEIs implementing a mandatory drug testing of the students must be able to show that it has the approval of its Board of Trustees/Directors/Regents and has gone through the necessary student consultation process,” read the memorandum.

It added that a policy making drug testing a requirement for admission and retention should also undergo consultation before being implemented.

CHED said the drug testing should only be conducted by facilities, physicians and private medical practitioners accredited by the Department of Health (DOH).

“If the HEI does not have an accredited clinic, the HEI should partner with a DOH-accredited facility, physician or private medical practitioner duly accredited to administer the drug testing,” it added.

The commission said HEIs may not admit students who test positive for use of illegal drugs subject to its rules and regulations. But schools should ensure the confidentiality of the results, whether the student tested positive or negative.

HEIs are also mandated to provide non-discriminatory intervention services for the students.

While the conduct of mandatory drug testing for college students is left to the discretion of the schools, CHED directed all HEIs to conduct regular random drug testing as required by the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

The existing rules of the Dangerous Drugs Board will be adopted for the conduct of the random drug testing.

Tertiary institutions are also directed to establish drug free-committees to formulate the drug testing program of the HEIs.

“The program shall include, among others, drug education/awareness, prevention and control initiatives that will promote a drug-free campus,” said CHED.

Other tasks of the committee include coordination with partner agencies to implement intervention measures and monitoring of students to prevent them from engaging in activities related to dangerous drugs.