Drug test on teachers not punitive – DepEd

CEBU, Philippines — Guidelines on the conduct of drugs test among public school teachers are being carefully laid out by various agencies according to an official of the Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd)-7.

DepEd-7 Director Dr. Julieta Jeruta told The FREEMAN that officials want to be prudent in forming a mechanism that will protect and ensure the confidentiality of results of the drug test.

"They had already formulated procedures to be done on the administration of drug testing but that they wanted it to be technically full of precautions and must be done in a manner that there will be no repercussions both on the ones administering as well as the ones being tested," said Jeruta.

Officials of DepEd, Department of Health, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency will agree on how the drug testing should be done.

Earlier, public school teachers in Cebu City were subjected to a random drug test administered by the city government's Cebu City Office on Substance Abuse Prevention.

Results were divulged that no one tested positive for drug use but one teacher reportedly refused to undergo the procedure.

Days after, the drug testing was suspended following an order from DepEd head office.

Jeruta said the department is requesting to keep the results confidential until they have taken proper actions.

"Do not let it (out) to the media nor have it public," said Jeruta.

Jeruta said before the drug testing in public schools goes full swing all over the country, Education Secretary Leonor Briones "secured all ends first."

Once drug tests are administered, Jeruta said "the results will be protected" and appropriate interventions or sanctions will be given to teachers found using illegal drugs.

"If they will be found using (illegal drugs,) they should be assisted because ours is [rehabilitative] not punitive," said Jeruta.

She said interventions like rehabilitation programs are being readied since it will be useless if nothing is done to address the drug problem.

"Our secretary was really vocal in saying that we must protect (the reputation of the person.) How can we discipline our people if before any sanctions are given, there are already accusations," she said.

"The person will have remorse of what he or she has engaged in. It will totally destroy him... Once the reputation of a person is destroyed, nothing can restore it no matter what reparation you will be able to give," she added.

But if a teacher is caught selling or trading illegal drugs, Jeruta said proper administrative sanctions will be established.

"We want to emphasize that these drug testing will be a way of eliminating the illegal practice but not really punishing," said Jeruta.

One reliable source disclosed to The FREEMAN that higher officials plan to tap a private entity to facilitate the drug testing so as to keep the results from the public. —/MBG (FREEMAN)