ALL NEGATIVE.
This was the result of drug tests conducted by the UST Health Service among students this academic year.
Dr. Ma. Salve Olalia, UST Health Service director, said separate mandatory and random tests required by law were successful in serving as a preventive measure against illegal drug use.
“It is one of the strategies that the government has implemented and promulgated. And in our opinion, it is effective as a deterrent for the use of illegal drugs,” she said.
Olalia, however, declined to go into detail, citing confidentiality rules.
Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, states that “the school has the obligation to employ every reasonable means to provide a healthy and drug-free environment to its populace.”
Drug testing is not only in accordance with the law, but also in keeping with the University’s mission to uphold Thomasian values, said Olalia. “The University’s mission dedicates herself for the ‘formation of competent and compassionate professionals, committed to the service of the Church, the nation and the global community.’ How can this be accomplished if the Thomasian community is not drug-free?” she said.
Bag checks and peer monitoring by guidance counselors are in place to ensure that the University remains drug-free, Olalia added.
Mandatory drug testing is administered on all freshmen, while random drug testing is administered yearly on 10 percent of the total number of students from the upper year levels and 10 percent of the total number of faculty members, University officials, and support staff.
When students are found to be positive for illegal drug use, guidelines issued by the Dangerous Drugs Board will be followed, Olalia said.
The level of dependency of the student found positive for drug use will be determined first. Based on the result, he or she will be placed on the appropriate rehabilitation process by the school. But it is not a ground for expulsion or disciplinary action against the student, and should not be reflected in academic records.
However, if the student is unable to abide by rehabilitation process after several attempts, he or she will be subject to confinement for treatment in any accredited rehabilitation center.
