Drug test firm goes to schools

One of the country’s drug-testing companies has launched a program to educate students, through symposia, lectures and discussions in selected schools, about the ills of illegal drugs.

DrugCheck Phils., according to spokesperson Mylon Villasante, has strong reason to believe that schools are major routes of illegal drugs, thus the launching of the Alis Droga sa Paaralan program.

"A recent study by our groups illustrate that the cheap supply of illegal drugs has made them accessible to the youth. High-end drugs like Ecstasy and cocaine are being peddled in exclusive universities in Metro Manila while shabu and marijuana continue to exhibit a strong demand base in secondary and tertiary schools in the University Belt, Intramuros and other localities," Villasante said in a statement.

Covert inquiries and interviews point to a surprising high use of methamphetamines among students of medical-related courses.

The Rizal Technological University and the Don Bosco Technological School were the first schools visited by DrugCheck’s Alis Droga sa Paaralan program.