Random Drug Testing

Overview

In compliance with RA 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (see Appendix), the University of Asia and the Pacific through the Office of Student Affairs, implemented a Drug-Free Program beginning school year 2003-2004. The program, which was developed in order to address concerns regarding the impact that drug and substance abuse poses on the safety and welfare of university students, consists of the following interventions: a year-long drug awareness information campaign, provisions for counseling and referral through the University’s Guidance Center, and a random drugtesting program.

The latter intervention, in particular, is a critical requirement stipulated by RA 9165, which mandates the implementation of a random drug-testing program in secondary and tertiary schools. The University is pursuing this particular measure in earnest, following extensive consultations with law enforcement agencies and educational institutions which affirmed that a properly conducted random drug-testing program—complemented by other measures—is an effective deterrent against drug abuse. To implement the random drug-testing program, the University has contracted the services of DrugCheck Philippines, Inc. (DCPI), a drug-testing firm classified as a Class A Drug Testing Laboratory and duly accredited by the Dangerous Drugs Board, the Philippine National Police, and various other government agencies.

In keeping with the University’s holistic and comprehensive perspective on student formation, the Drug-Free program is being undertaken alongside other positive and formative interventions already in place in the University.

Implementing Guidelines for Random Drug-Testing

  1. Legal Basis. The implementation of a random drug-testing program in tertiary-level institutions is mandated by RA 9165, otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” (see Appendix on the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act).
  2. Drug-Testing Facility. The random drug tests will be administered by DrugCheck Philippines, Inc. (DCPI), a licensed drug-testing facility, which will provide for the collection of urine samples on-site. DCPI is accredited by the Dangerous Drugs Board to operate and maintain a Class A Drug Testing Laboratory. DCPI is accredited, licensed or officially recognized by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Department of Education (DepEd).
  3. Drug Test Proper. The drug test consists of two stages: a Screening Test and a Confirmatory Test. The former will check for the presence of prohibited drugs, based on pre-determined parameters agreed upon by DCPI and the University. The latter test will be made only if the first test registers positive for traces of prohibited drugs, to specifically confirm the presence of a prohibited drug and rule out false “positives”.
  4. Frequency and scope. Random drug testing will be held on specific dates during the course of the academic term or school year, at times and intervals determined solely by the University. Any student of the University may be requested to submit to a drug test.
  5. Other Procedures and Guidelines
    1. A computer-generated list of names is produced by OSA prior to the scheduled drug test.
    2. On the day of the drug test, students whose names are on the list will be requested, via a written summon to report to the designated venue for testing.
    3. Students who refuse to cooperate, disrupt, or who fail to appear for drug testing despite proper notification may be subject to disciplinary action, in accordance with the Disciplinary Code.
    4. Designated OSA staff, in coordination with DCPI personnel, will brief the students regarding procedures for sample collection. As appropriate, students will be accompanied by OSA staff and/or DCPI personnel during the sample collection process.
    5. DCPI and OSA staff will implement various safeguards to maintain the integrity of the samples, preserve the chain of custody of material, and ensure the confidentiality of results.
    6. Analysis of the samples will be conducted off-campus at DCPI’s drug testing facility.
    7. DCPI will transmit the results of the drug test to OSA within three (3) days. Drug test results should be claimed from the Student Discipline within seven (7) working days from the date of the drug testing.
    8. Any student who tests positive, based on the second (or confirmatory) test, will be subject to a mandatory drug testing for one year. The drug testing fee shall be charged to or paid by the student.
  6. Confidentiality. Test results automatically become the property of the University and will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
  7. Non-compliance with the guidelines above may be treated as a Type B offense under the Disciplinary Code.