Why test randomly?

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

It may be another rough sailing for the plan of the Department of Health to conduct drug testing among college students starting this month. The program is designed to check the incidence and hopefully eliminate drug abuse among young Filipinos.

This time, DOH wants to conduct the testing at random after it failed to implement the drug tests last year due to massive resistance from college students. The complaints focused mostly on the claim that the tests would violate their human rights.

While the plan this year may have its noble and legal purpose, it, however, can be controversial because of the way it will be effected - at random. That means, while everyone may have the chance of being chosen to undergo testing, only those who would be identified using whatever sampling criteria will really be covered by the requirement.

While random sampling may be used as a methodology in research studies to get a profile of tendencies or patterns on any related concern, the findings may subject those covered by the exercise to undue pressure and social implications, when found positive, while others who may be also substance users would go scot free because they were not picked at random to undergo such testing.

Such manner of conducting the study will also eventually lead to questions, whether it attains its genuine purpose considering that not all substance users will be identified, thus interventions may not be effected to rehabilitate them. It also reminds us of the random drug tests conducted during international competitions. Definitely, a number of athletes, especially those who win medals, have been caught having used prohibited drugs that induce them to become speedier, stronger and leap higher, but in this case, DOH is not pinning down a sampling not because of cheating, thus they would be eventually stripped of medals, but possible of their dignity and self-worth.

The program may become more acceptable if it seriously considers implications on human rights and fairness to all that will not subject young people to undue social pressures and emotional or psychological tags. It will even get wider public support if, in the process of solving this nagging social problem, authorities will emphasize and promote the rehabilitative options and solicit wider parental support.*