MAYJOSH J.

NAPATAL JUNE 29, 2018

SSC 10-DIAMOND REACTION PAPER #2

Senators assail PDEA Bid on Mandatory Drug Test for Teachers and Students

“Who came up with a brilliant idea to propose that teachers and students from Grade 4
up will undergo mandatory drug tests?” Senator Aqulino “Koko” Pimentel III wants to know as he
rejected the proposal being floated by the PDEA. “That is pointless because what is the use of
the test result? If positive, then what? And how many false or wrong positives and even
negatives will our system produce? Malakihang gastos lang ‘yan. Hence, I’m interested to know
who came up with such a ‘brilliant’ idea. Ginawang mandatory para talagang malakihang
gastos.” He said it’s pointless, because authorities cannot force a person with a positive result to
provide information. “Assume there is a positive test result. Sige nga, start drafting the
information or even the complaint which starts the preliminary investigation. What will you put
there? When did he take the drug? Where? What kind of drug? What quantity?” Pimentel
argued. “We cannot force the person concerned to supply all of these essential information.”
When told that the objective of the proposal is to help those in need, he finally said that the drug
testing is optional. “If you want help, then ask for help, get a test if necessary. Why make drug
testing mandatory and test those who don’t even use drugs?” Pimentel said. However, Senator
Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who is part of a minority block in the Senate, opposed the idea of
drug testing as it was “prone to corruption”, because it will only further burden the public already
suffering from high prices of basic goods with more expenses.

As a student, I am well aware that some of my fellow students use drugs for certain
purpose, since especially being an adolescent is the most critical stage of our lives, because
that is where we rebel against our parents or family. No matter what the perspective is, it is still
not right to use these drugs, because it will only create a bad effect on our health. Some may
say that they take it to change something about their lives; however, there are more
consequences. Some are just doing it for fun, just to go with the flow, because his/her friends
are doing it, he/she will, too. However, mandatory drug test is not the only solution. We can
have symposiums in different areas of the country and encourage all those who are abusing
themselves to change, because it’s never too late. That is already enough for them to
understand what we mean. It is their choice to change. I agree with the two senators that the
drug testing proposed by PDEA is expensive and “prone to corruption”, as what Senator
Pangilinan said. Our country is already suffering as it is. If you are aware of that fact, then
change for the better.