The use of illegal drugs and substance abuse has been a major problem of the country for decades now. Sadly, illegal drug operations seem to have extended its reach to our educational institutions with reports of students getting caught using or selling drugs themselves. To help address this concern PNP NCRPO Chief Guillermo Eleazar proposed an implementation of random bag and locker inspection in schools. This raised several concerns from some sectors while some are willing to give it a try. But the real question is, will this proposal serve the better good of our students or not.
Stories of kids sneaking contrabands in school like toys and gadgets are common. You would even hear stories of High School kids smoking cigars or sipping alcohol in their secret hideouts in school. Admit it or not kids have a way of eluding school officials when they want some “adventure” in school. But when they start sneaking drugs in school, then that’s another story. The DepEd and CHED as well as private and public schools have their own drug awareness campaigns and security measures to protect their students from illegal drugs. There was one incident wherein a teacher caught some elementary students in possession of several sachets of marijuana. This prompted PNP NCRPO Chief Guillermo Eleazar to propose the random bag inspection as an anti-illegal drugs measure in schools. To quote:
“The background is because there was a case, elementary students that were caught in possession of 20 or 30 sachets of marijuana na binebenta sa school at ginagamit pa nila so well that was the result of the inspection that [was] conducted by the teacher.”
The proposal to conduct random bag and locker inspection for both elementary and high school students sparked some protests from some sectors including ACT Party List and some public school teachers. Their concerns include violation of the privacy and rights if their students. Others also fear that it might be and extension of Oplan Tokhang in campus thus diminishing the learning atmosphere in school as kids will be treated as suspects instead of learners. Teachers also felt that it will be an additional burden to them if they will conduct the inspections. There may also be threats for the safety of school personnel in charge of inspection they may suffer reprisal from drug syndicates or gangs.
In response Eleazar said that they do not intend to interfere or meddle with DepEd, CHED, or school policies.
“Wala kaming panghihimasok na gagawin doon. It’s just a suggestion or a proposal for them to be considered.”
“Even on the actual implementation, itong mga sinasabi nating surprise inspection, hindi kasama ang pulis doon. It could just be the teachers with the PTA officers.”
“Kung merong mga incidents na may nahulihan ng illegal drugs, the police can always assist them to trace the supplier of those illegal drugs.”
DepEd and CHED hasn’t acted on the proposal yet but they have maintained that they have anti-illegal drugs programs in place. But then the recent arrest of two college students possessing Php1.5 million worth of party drugs tells us once again that we should be doing more.
The proliferation of illegal drugs is not just a problem of the government. It’s a problem of the whole society. As such, we must all work together in any way we can to protect our kids from this danger. The concerns raised against the implementation of random bag and locker inspection in schools are valid. But it is not something that cannot be addressed. If these concerns can be covered by the implementing guidelines of this proposal, then we can push through with it.
As educators, parents, and law enforcement agents, it is our duty to protect the rights and welfare of our children. This includes supporting measures that hinder proliferation of illegal drugs in our institutions. Random drug testing for students engaged in athletics has been effective in detecting and discouraging drug use among athletes. Perhaps the random inspection of bags and locker will also have the same effect on students who may be influenced to smuggle illegal substances in school. The challenge is in coming up with implementing guidelines that allow our institutions to conduct inspections without violating any of our children’s rights and ensure the integrity of inspections.
