Question & AnswerQ&A (DDB BOARD REGULATION NO. 3, S. 2009)
The regulation covers students of secondary, tertiary, vocational, and technical schools.
All drug testing expenses, whether in public or private schools, are borne by the government.
Random drug testing is considered a health issue aimed at providing appropriate interventions to help students stop further use or abuse of dangerous drugs.
Chain of Custody refers to procedures that account for each specimen by tracking its handling and storage from the point of collection to final disposal ensuring identity confirmation and use of a Custody and Control Form.
Interventions are therapeutic programs appropriate for high-risk students using dangerous drugs and include crisis intervention, counseling, peer leadership programs, structured rehabilitation, psychological counseling, and medical intervention as necessary.
The results shall be strictly confidential, must not be published or posted, and violation of confidentiality is punishable under Section 72 of RA 9165 and other laws.
The specimen is immediately submitted for confirmation with strict chain of custody and confidentiality. If confirmed positive, results are sealed and transmitted to the school's RDT Coordinator who informs the student and parent confidentially and arranges a case conference and evaluation for dependency and treatment.
They shall be referred by the school authority to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or a local social worker for counseling and other interventions.
No. Positive confirmatory results cannot be grounds for expulsion or disciplinary action and should not be reflected in academic records, nor used to incriminate the student legally.
Students who refuse will be dealt with according to school rules, but refusal shall not imply drug use or dependency. Schools may implement interventions other than declaring drug use or dependency.
The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) collectively formulate and conduct training programs for guidance counselors.
The DOH-accredited facility or physician may recommend referral to a specialized DOH-accredited facility, and the school shall proceed according to Section 61 of RA 9165.
No, schools are prohibited from publishing or posting any drug test results, whether positive or negative.
The Supervising Agency informs schools about inclusion in the program, transmits test results confidentially, coordinates interventions, and encourages institutionalization of drug testing activities beyond the government program.
No, drug test results from this regulation cannot be used as evidence in any court or tribunal where the student is accused of any crime or felony or any other purpose consistent with confidentiality requirements.