A Solution Bearing another Problem

Ivan Lance Calotes

One of the most serious societal problems is the proliferation of drugs despite the anti-drug
campaign of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The campaign aims to protect the youth from mixed
emotions and opinions that surfaced in this campaign, so, there are proposed solutions being laid.
One is through investing on Mandatory Drug Tests for Grade 4 students. Does the thrust the best
solution to curb drug abuse?

Based on the Dangerous Drug Law, Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous
Drugs Act of 2002 Section 36, “Students of secondary and tertiary schools shall, pursuant to the
related rules and regulations as contained in the school’s student handbook and with notice to the
parents, undergo a random drug testing: Provided, that all drug testing expenses whether in public or
private schools under this Section will be borne by the government. “

This mandatory drug test is proposed to several grade levels on public schools to determine
those alleged drug users. Knowing the current habit of some Filipinos, which are using the minors to
deliver or sell drugs to the users. It has been hypothesized that also those minors who are victims in
this trespass are also encouraged to try exercise using this. Clued by this scenario, children are more
exposed to vulnerability in taking a move on its attempt. It is also not usual for pre-adolescents to
experiment with banned substances. Among the very poor, even rugby is sniffed for a cheap high and
to assuage hunger. Drug abuse is also likely among children who are hired as mule by adult
traffickers. In conclusion, the Government found a way with this implementation. Philippine Drug
Enforcement is hoping to change these illegal practices, by including elementary school students
from fourth grade up or at least nine years old in the public school system undergo drug testing.

But behind its motivation, this program when it was first announced to the public, already
received abashing remarks to high dignitaries and politic critics. Debates and consultations had been
done before the government decided that Filipinos needed this Mandatory Drug Test. Filipinos should
seek a turnpike to halt the rampant usage of drugs but it doesn’t have to be a rouse to the dormant
eyes of children.

Concerned citizens do not agree to this implementation. In fact, some members of the
government think that it is just a veiled motive for them to illegally harvest money from the funds
because this is prominently prone to corruption, making it a money-making scheme for politician’s
own personal benefits making a heavy burden to the society. This might also cause an unwanted
effect on the children, emotionally and psychologically.

Indeed, children will always need strict supervisions on some of their immature actions,
and it is a responsibility of the governing body of the Republic of the Philippines to guide and
straighten the crooked path that Filipinos incidentally take, pushing over the real ethics of our race.
But, it is also righteous for their part to fix these in a less-destructive manner that will ultimately
prevent further annihilation, given its far worse effects. All of us must be aware of the security
especially our parents, who should protect their children from the ravage of this dark havoc. Going
through this challenge, however, needs prudence in planning and implementing efficiently the aid of
this; but how? Through investing on Mandatory Drug Tests for Grade 4 students? By awakening their
juvenile minds through these kinds of setback? Mandatory Drug test should be applied only to those
who are full-fledged, not the young ones.