A Nurse's Position on Random Drug Testing at DEPED Schools

This month saw DEPED Secretary Jesli Lapus announcing that the random drug testing of high-school students will start between February and March this year.

At the same time, Lapus branded as unfounded fears that students tested for drug use would be the subject of ridicule, as well as the possibility that the process may lead to corrupt practices.

“Our intention is not to humiliate the students. We are very strict about confidentiality,” Lapus said.

Thanks goodness that confidentiality is assured however, there is more to this issue.

Of course, some issues of particular concern to the nurses and nursing profession considering implementing suspicionless and/or random drug testing are:

1. Who determines the need for testing?
2. How will chain of custody be enforced to allow for use in any legal actions that may arise?
   
3. Who does the testing?
4. How and where will the specimen be obtained and made available for testing? (Will the DEPED school nurse be involved?)
5. Who will provide training for staff performing the testing to assure that all legal requirements have been met? (What will be the role of the DEPED school nurse?)
6. Who obtains parental permission to release the results of the testing to the DEPED school district?
7. Where will permission be filed? (Will it be in the health file?)
8. Where will testing results be filed and who may see the results of the screening? (Will these be in the health file or in another location in or out of the building?)
9. What services will the school system provide or not provide in the event of a positive test?
10. What does drug testing tell or not tell about a student’s drug use?
11. What do national laws say about issues surrounding drug testing of minors?
12. What services should be in place for communities to deal effectively with students who test positive for drugs?

This is a complex issue going beyond simply performing suspicionless routine and random drug testing in schools.

May this article offers a widened understanding to the issue on random drug testing.

Prof. Faustino Jerome Babate

President

Beta Nu Delta Nursing Society Inc.

Email fjbabate@mail.betanudelta.com

Mobile 639265856435