Teachers want random drug test plan scrapped

MANILA, Philippines - Militant teachers push for the scrapping of a plan to conduct random drug testing on teachers and student for the measure is discriminatory and will violate human rights. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) scored the plan of the Education Department and Commission on Higher Education to start the tests as part of the fight against drug abuse. "This random drug testing program will violate certain basic rights. First of all, it's discriminatory. Why are teachers and students as a group being singled out for testing? Does being in school make one more likely to be a drug user? Secondly, it's an invasion of privacy. No one can be compelled to undergo testing without his or her consent," ACT chairman Antonio Tinio said in an article on the ACT website. Moreover, he said the tests will at best help identify a number of drug users in schools, yet not necessarily reduce the supply of illegal drugs available on the streets. Such a test is a "token measure" that will have "no real effect on the drug trade," he added. Tinio also said funds to be used for the testing program could be put to better use. "For instance, the funds could be used to train guidance councilors in identifying and counseling drug users in schools," he said. Also, Tinio said real progress can only be made in combating illegal drugs if the big-time drug syndicates are targeted and dismantled. "Instead of harassing teachers and students, subjecting them to the indignity of random drug testing, the Arroyo administration should focus on landing the 'big fish' in the drug trade, namely the drug lords and their protectors, including those in government. They should be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed," he said. "Can we be blamed for being skeptical, given the deep-rooted and pervasive corruption in the law enforcement agencies as well as the judiciary? For that matter, how can Mrs. Arroyo herself be credible as anti-drug czar when her administration is beset with all sorts of corruption and influence-peddling scandals?" he added. - GMANews.TV