The program is in compliance with the Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002), Dangerous Drugs Board Resolution No. 6, Series of 2003 (General Guidelines for the Conduct of Random Drug Testing for Secondary and Tertiary Students), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 64, Series of 2017 (Policies, Guidelines, and Procedures for Higher Education Institutions Requiring Drug Testing of Students) and CMO No. 18, Series of 2018 (Implementing Guidelines for the Conduct of Drug Testing of Students in all Higher Education Institutions.

In light of this, ThePILLARS Publication gathered reactions from students voicing their opinions and concerns over the implementation of the AdNU Drug-Free Campus Program that is set to commence this upcoming academic year 2024-2025.

On the Awareness of the Mandatory Drug Testing Campaign

“Yes po [I am aware]. I am in favor [with it] naman kasi it’s beneficial both ways especially doon sa nagtetake ng drugs—[mag]kakaroon ng intervention to help them and parang take them to a path na’di na talaga sila gagamit ng drugs to cope with their problems, and beneficial din siya for the whole student body kasi hindi tayo maeexpose sa drug-related violence creating a safe and conducive learning environment for all of us.”

• Sofia Broso, 1st Year - BS Psychology

“Yes, I am aware of Ateneo's plans and program regarding the implementation of mandatory drug testing in college students. I personally commend the institution and of course CHED for this campaign because I think illegal drugs is very rampant na sa college and even high school, honestly. With this program, I think kahit papano talagang mababawasan natin yung pagkalat ng bilang ng mga gumagamit nito kasi makakafocus tayo sa kung sino...kung sino-sino yung mga dapat nating bigyan ng tamang tulong and of course will give our university good image na din for upholding and providing holistic welfare for the students. Pero I think, people should do their job properly to achieve the goal everyone wishes to achieve.”

• Lea Asuncion, 1st Year - BS Accountancy

“After reading the e-mail po from the Office of Students Affairs and reviewing the guidelines, I appreciate the effort to promote a drug-free environment at school here in Ateneo. I understand din and support the campaign’s goal. However, I wonder if including the faculty and staff in the random drug-testing would enhance its effectiveness. Additionally, I agree with the general guidelines that it’s important to consider obtaining consent from students before administering the drug test. With this approach, kumbaga na-empower niya yung students to participate willingly and aligned din sa principles of respect for individual rights.”

• Katrina Leihan Alvarez, 1st Year - BS Psychology

“Yes, I am aware. I see this plan aims to prevent dangerous drug use among students at Ateneo de Naga University in order to create a drug-free campus. There is no harm in implementing it, but it's basically an additional cost on our part.”

• Aalanah Klaudia San Buenaventura, 1st Year - BS Accountancy

“I’m aware of the said program…... I first read about it from, like, a meeting on the tuition fee increase, I guess? And it was like indicated there that one of the causes of the said increase is the mandatory random drug testing at AdNU. And very recently din, it also gained attention again on social media, specifically sa AdNU Freedom Wall page. May nakita akong random entries about the said drug testing. So my thoughts about it, if it is all for the purpose of promoting a drug-free campus and fostering a safe space for every student then I’m in favor of the mandatory drug testing--as long as it is done properly and ethically wherein students’ personal privacy and dignity are not compromised then I do not see any problem with it.”

• John Evan Delos Reyes. 2nd Year - BS Electronics Engineering 

“No [I wasn’t aware], but I am in favor of it. At first, hindi ko naisip kung bakit kailangan na gawin especially when it comes to the students privacy. However, when I thought that the intention is good naman like ma-check kung may mga kaso nang ganto sa mga colleges or universities, I think it will be a good move, and also for preventing drug abuse among students.” 

• Princess Pontejos, 3rd Year - BS Education Major in Science

“Ako [kasi] personally, [‘yung] idea na mag-iimplement ang Ateneo ng mandatory drug testing very familiar siya kasi may friends ako sa PICE, ‘yung independent org. ng CE…tapos minsan na-totopic ‘yung policies na iimplement sa university, so [parang naririnig] ko siya. Pero when it comes to the context of the memorandum and the provisions…, medyo [hindi] talaga ako familiar to be honest…... Pero siguro, my initial thoughts kasi [ay] dalawa: Of course given naman na siguro most of the students would appreciate this initiative kasi…basically, it’s a means to foster a drug-free environment, ‘di ba? Pero ang concern ko kasi is for those na magtetest positive, for example, ‘yung parang identity and privacy nila, parang maaapektuhan din. Kasi…madaling [kumalat] ‘yung mga kwento sa school… May freedom wall pa, pwede ka [ring] ma-call out like, “Uy! Si ganito nagpositive!” So, siyempre parang concerning din ‘yun. Sa program na ‘to, siyempre maganda siya kasi first,...possible na maging way siya para madevelop ‘yung holistic and safe environment ng university na very important naman talaga. Pero, I think ang pinaka-concern diyan is to find a balance in terms of implementing this…by considering also the privacy, rights, and well-being of those na pwedeng ma-involve sa matter na ‘to. Kasi, correct me if I’m wrong, I think kasi addiction, in any form, can be considered as a mental-related issue so it’s only fair if we regard them with fairness din. Hindi porque drug ‘yung matter parang kailangan dapat… ‘yung treatment sa kanila parang wala lang kasi “kasalanan niyo naman” [na] na-involve siya sa ganitong matter pero for me kasi, mas importante pa rin na protektahan ‘yung identity ng mga ma-iinvolve dito… Okay ‘yung pinaka-idea, maganda talaga. Kailangan talaga siyang iimplement [in] any academic institution kasi pwede [rin] talaga siyang maging factor… sa performance ng students. At least with this program, ma-iidentify natin ‘yung students na may problem in terms of drugs.”

• Hendrex John A. Olavagia, 3rd Year - BS Civil Engineering

“Yes, I am aware of the plans and programs for the mandatory drug testing for college students. And I think it will be beneficial for the safety and well-being of the students [on] campus. But, for now, I will be neutral about it since… habang hindi pa na-iimplement hindi natin talaga malalaman kung magiging okay ‘to or the school…”

• Andre Miguel M. Silvestre, 2nd Year - BS Computer Science

“Yes po [I am aware], because there was an email sent to my Gbox account by OSA stating about that matter and my initial thoughts on the implementation of a drug testing campaign in our university is that it will be a good intervention on proper education about drugs, what and how does it affect our system and our body as a whole. I think this campaign will aid students' knowledge of [drug] abuse and proper usage.”

• Cassandra Sofhia L. Ibañez, 1st Year - BS Nursing

On Its Effects on Students' Well-Being

“I will feel safe if well oriented ang students sa process and updated sa kung ano mang mangyayari all throughout the procedure.”

• Sofia Broso, 1st Year - BS Psychology

“After the consultation, me and my friends talked about it kasi we know na walang exception sa program and so of course kasali din kami. Namention kasi doon na ang goal is parang lahat ng students ma-test sa buong academic year. Napag-usapan namin yung about sa privacy matter in which we thought na parang paano naman yung mga students na natatakot and nahihiyang magpa-test and mag-submit ng results even if they stopped or say hindi naman talaga gumagamit. May corresponding sanction din yun 'di ba, yun sa student na nabasa ko doon sa memorandum. In a sense, parang unfair siya dun sa 'di gumagamit, 'di naman talaga gumagamit tapos natatakot lang magpa-test kasi parang subject to humiliation yung mga patients, 'di ba. And with this, chances are them keeping away from school siguro skipping class or entirely dropping out kasi instead na magpatest sila, nahihiya sila. Hindi na lang sila papasok, parang ganun. Another is that, whatever people do outside and away from school is their business naman na which they should deal on their own, 'di ba? Privacy matter pa din naman. Good thing na lang the memo and dun na din sa consultation, na-emphasize don yung about sa confidentiality na may sanction, 'should the personnel violates the rights of the patient and rules of the program'. Sana talaga masunod yun kasi if ever hindi, talagang maapektuhan naman yung safety and well-being nung student na concerned kasi those who tested positive might end up on the government's drug watch list, 'di ba, imposing significant threat to their lives. Alam naman natin yung sa war-on-drugs, 'di ba? Kaya as I have said, dapat ayusin ng mga awtoridad ang kanilang trabaho and the mentioned sanctions should be strictly enforced. Let's not make students the open target of our government's failed campaigns.”

• Lea Asuncion, 1st Year - BS Accountancy

“In terms of how this will affect students, and as a student myself, besides making the school environment safer and better, it will support din po those who might be using drugs to get back on the right path. And aside from that, keeping it confidential for  student is a smart move din since it won’t tarnish their reputation or their name po if ever they tested positive.”

• Katrina Leihan Alvarez, 1st Year - BS Psychology

“Since it is mandatory random drug testing, there will be no consent from the part of the students because this will be another requirement for students to be able to enroll, but for me, this kind of matter should entail consent. In terms of student well-being, I see this as a threat since it will create uncomfortable situations and worry among the students. As to confidentiality, this kind of matter should be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and students should be treated equally regardless of the results.”

• Aalanah Klaudia San Buenaventura, 1st Year - BS Psychology

“Since this program promotes a drug-free campus and aims to foster a safe space for every student, as mentioned. I think it is a good way to generally keep students away from drugs. Since from what I know, we have [already been] warned many times about the negative effects of drugs, specifically on the mental aspect. So I think with this program, this could promote drug prevention since we all know that prevention is and will always [be] better than cure. However, I’m kind of concerned lang when it comes to the students or our personal privacy and confidentiality. I just hope that they prioritize our privacy and treat them with utmost confidentiality because if this were not handled properly, this could be used against the students and harm their safety and security. That’s all.”

• John Evan Delos Reyes. 2nd Year - BS Electronics Engineering 

“For me, the memorandum will not affect the students negatively because it is just a test that you are not using an illegal drug. However, Maintaining the privacy of students' information is crucial, regardless of whether their test results are positive or negative. Let's respect their confidentiality and prioritize their well-being, as Drug tests cannot always be completely accurate and may give false-positive results due to various factors such as certain medications or foods causing a reaction. This can damage the reputations of innocent students.”

• Princess Pontejos, 3rd Year - BS Education Major in Science

“Personally, hindi naman talaga ako masyadong affected. Pero if we consider the wider scope, in general for the AdNU students, parang grabe ‘yung magiging impact niya when it comes to safety and well-being kasi involved usually ang drugs sa violence-related actions tapos kahit ‘yung actions na mental-related. Also, ‘yung performance,... at least with this program, mababawasan na ‘yung factors na pwedeng makaapekto sa students. Now, mayroon nang avenue para mapag-usapan or mabigyang-pansin itong particular aspect na ‘to kung paano ba ito nakaaapekto sa performance ng students or if there are students na may friends or in a circle na involved sa ganito, ano ba ‘yung nagiging impact [nito] academically and mentally. When it comes naman sa privacy, ‘yun lang ang concern ko. In-assess ko kasi ang situation, it’s like you’re putting yourself doon sa situation. What if ikaw ‘yung nandoon [at] nagpositive? Gusto mo talaga ‘yung ginagawa mo pero ginawa mo. So, noong nagtake ka ng drug test, since it’s very random, hindi mo alam kung ikaw ang matetest. Nagkataon na ikaw tapos nagpositive ka. Paano na ‘yung identity mo, ‘di ba? Okay, may first offense, may second offense. Pwede namang hindi ka na magsecond offense… Doon pa lang sa first offense na ‘yun, ‘pag may nakaalam na, which is, I think, siguradong may makakaalam, I don’t know if maghihintay ka pa ng second offense para maghanap ng ibang school, ‘di ba? If the process [would be] very private talaga, like student to admin lang talaga ‘yung involved saka very confidential, okay siguro ‘yun… May chance ka pa if ganoon… But, if there were no clear provisions na mapoprotektahan ang students, maraming hindi magpaparticipate so parang useless din.”

• Hendrex John A. Olavagia, 3rd Year - BS Civil Engineering

“I think, there will be positive and negative impacts. For [the] positive side, I think we will be able to identify students struggling with drug abuse—matutulungan sila kumbaga nang maayos. And another positive note is students will be able to deter from using drugs and magiging healthy ‘yung campus generally, possibly. But [on] the negative side, may mangyayari rin naman na baka may magleak ng results ng students and dahil doon, maaaffect ‘yung academic and personal lives nila so baka may [umiwas] sa kanila. And without proper support din doon, maaaffect ‘yung mental health nila and baka… mas [maging] malala ang situation nila.”

• Andre Miguel M. Silvestre, 2nd Year - BS Computer Science

“Generally, I think this campaign will affect me and my fellow Atenean students in terms of comfortability and reassurance that I am studying in a drug-free environment [or] institution. And with this assurance within myself, I won't be thinking of any external factors that will affect and hinder my uppermost capability and potential in achieving my highest level of education because I truly believe that our environment affects our mental and cognitive health the most. So it is really important or crucial that we have this assurance within ourselves that our environment will help us grow more as a person and student rather than withdrawing.”

• Cassandra Sofhia L. Ibañez, 1st Year - BS Nursing

On Recommendations

“Magprepare muna. Give it a year or two before implementation sana and make sure na ready na ang admin and student body. Make sure na confidential siya within those people na na-select, na masali doon sa random lottery. Make sure na confidential siya in a way na hindi kakalat.”

• Sofia Broso, 1st Year - BS Psychology

“Again, as I have said, I support Ateneo in implementing this program given that they do their jobs properly and the safety of Ateneans is promised. However, I also think na people who consume illegal drugs have reasons why they do such. Siguro, what I want to mean here is that we cannot put an end to the issue if we don'tdont cut it from the roots where it all began. So, siguro we should also focus din naman on solving and addressing the reasons why students use drugs in the first place. By this, hindi man totally pero siguro kahit papa'no, matutulungan natin yung patient na unti-unting tumakas sa pagkakakulong sa ilegal na bisyo.”

• Lea Asuncion, 1st Year - BS Accountancy

“Upon reviewing all the details about how they’re going to implement it, I am still on board with what I’ve said earlier po. I think it’s a good idea that they’re keeping it unannounced, random, and confidential. Also having a set goal for the percentage of the students per semester sounds like a solid plan to me po. 

“I believe it would be beneficial to also include faculty and staff in the testing process, same approach din po with the guidelines’ consent and confidentiality of the information. This could help promote a more inclusive approach, creating a drug-free environment on campus.”

• Katrina Leihan Alvarez, 1st Year - BS Psychology

“Wala na po akong suggestions.”

• Aalanah Klaudia San Buenaventura, 1st Year - BS Psychology

“First thing, what I could suggest is a proper dissemination of information about the said program within the university so that, we, students can have enough information about it. I think by having enough knowledge sa program, more students will be encouraged to participate actively. Kasi kapag hindi maayos na nadisseminate yung information parang hindi matitake seriously ng students yung program which in the end, hindi maachieve yung main objective ng program which is parang sayang lang. Another thing is that I hope they put Ateneans’ safety and security as top priorities. I hope they provide us with an assurance that all our personal data and even the results from the random drug test will be treated with utmost confidentiality…”—since they are very vulnerable to being leaked so once na maleak sila, they can be used against students and knowing na drug is a very serious matter, several lives can be ruined with just a malicious rumor. So I think that is why they should be very careful when it comes to storing our data because a person’s dignity and future can depend on it. That’s all.”

John Evan Delos Reyes. 2nd Year - BS Electronics Engineering 

“Since it is mandatory drug testing, it should not be a cause of an increase in tuition fees. The CHED should be the one to cover all the expenses. In addition, I recommend that our institution, ADNU, should keep our information confidential, as drug testing may infringe on our right to privacy. To be honest, I am not really that familiar with how our institution will implement the said memorandum. But, for me, if the initial result of the drug-test is positive which requires him to take the confirmatory test, then, for me, the school/university or CHED should take responsibility for the cost. “

• Princess Pontejos, 3rd Year - BS Education Major in Science

“Honestly, hindi ko rin alam kasi talagang very complicated ang process na ganito. Pero siguro, …Iif may ma-isusuggest akong pwedeng gawin,... ‘yun nga, gawing mandatory talaga ‘yung consultation para at least magkaroon ng open discussion para ma-engage ‘yung students talaga sa pinakapurpose ng program—procedures, implications, and all that. And if may time siguro sila, pwede silang magconduct ng informal sessions for those students na magpopositive, halimbawa, para mabigyan sila ng… clear or accessible materials na pwedeng maaddress ‘yung situation nila… concerns, para lang ma-build ‘yung trust… para mabigyan ng reason ‘yung student na magkaroon ng tiwala sa ginagawa ng school. For students na ayaw ng extreme exposure [or] mahiyain, siguro makakahelp ‘yung one-on-one conversations talaga.”

• Hendrex John A. Olavagia, 3rd Year - BS Civil Engineering

“Since for students [Iang ito], I guess mas okay kung for everyone na rin like [staff], guards, sa faculty, mga nagtitinda, mga naglilinis… mas okay ‘yung ganoon para extra safe talaga and ‘yun nga, para maiwasan ng students ang drugs, of course… Sana maging okay ‘yung support ng mandatory drug testing sa mga [magpopositive] sa results nila dahil kung hindi, ‘yun nga,... mas malala ‘yung effects.”

• Andre Miguel M. Silvestre, 2nd Year - BS Computer Science

“My [suggestion] is that I hope all students will undergo this campaign to ensure everyone's awareness and safety and I also hope this implementation will continue up until the following years to guarantee the authenticity of the data and maintain a drug-free environment for all students. “

• Cassandra Sofhia L. Ibañez, 1st Year - BS Nursing