Chito Valerio, head of the city’s Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Office (DAPCO), said the undertaking is in line with the city government’s objective of cleaning up the city of the drug menace and ensuring that no form of illegal drug activity is taking place in the premises of any school in the city.
"The activity will recognize educational institutions by certifying them as drug-free schools," Valerio noted.
Criteria for the search include the school’s anti-drug policies, its anti-drug abuse awareness program for students and the establishment of an anti-drug assessment team.
The memorandum of agreement the academic institutions entered into with the Muntinlupa Drug Testing Laboratory for all drug testing requirements will also be considered.
"We will also look into results of drug tests conducted on schools’ officials, teachers and personnel of the maintenance and janitorial section," Valerio said.
A search committee was created to help DAPCO determine the schools in the city that are drug free.
"We will also propose to include a drug abuse prevention and control education at all levels," Valerio added.
There are around 21 public schools in Muntinlupa, several other private schools and a university. — Rhodina Villanueva