Senators on Friday questioned the plan of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to conduct mandatory drug testing for teachers and students from Grade 4 and up.
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, who also formerly chaired the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) said he wanted the drug testing to be raised up to Grade 6.
“I’m convincing them to upgrade the testings to Grade 6,” Mr. Sotto told reporters in a phone message. “Combination random because of Section 36 of the law I authored.”
In a phone message to reporters, Senator Aquilino L. Pimentel III said “that is pointless because what is the use of the test result? If positive, then what? And how many false or wrong positives and even negatives will our system produce?”
“Malakihang gastos lang yan hence I’m interested to know who came up with such a ‘brilliant’ idea. Ginawang mandatory para talagang malakihang gastos,” he added.
For his part, Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito believed Grade 4 might be too young for drug testing and noted the cost it may incur.
“Another consideration will be the cost as it is quite expensive to have a drug test. Just imagine how many billions needed if kids from Grade 4 onwards are to have mandatory drug testing,” he said in phone message to reporters. — Camille Aguinaldo

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR