Drug Testing in Philippine Schools: Historical Overview and Implications for Drug Policy

• Main Author: Lasco, Gideon
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2023
• Subjects: drug testing; war on drugs; drug policy; Chemicals and Drugs; Education; Medicine and Health Sciences; Substance Abuse and Addiction
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/dev-stud-faculty-pubs/129; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.103961
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

With the stated aims of promoting “drug-free” campuses and “instilling in the minds of students” that drugs are harmful; drug testing in schools has been a feature of the Philippines’ punitive drug regime for two decades; gaining prominence during the Duterte administration's war on drugs (2016-2022). Drawing on key informant interviews and a desk review of news articles and official documents; this paper presents a historical overview of this policy as well as its impacts on students; educational institutions; and Philippine society. The paper finds that the group most affected by drug testing in schools are the students themselves; who are placed at risk of discrimination and alienation. Schools are also affected by the policy; as it requires expending their human and financial resources. More broadly; the policy perpetuates longstanding popular notions on drugs; children; and the overall idea that individuals carry the “burden of proof” to demonstrate their worthiness for societal inclusion. Drug testing in Philippine schools is ineffective and misguided in its objectives; but it has received widespread support because of its social and political efficacies.