Solon wants hair sample drug testing proposed for students/mandatory testing for Student-Athlets

KABAYAN Partylist Rep.Ron Salo 

By Mike Navarro

LALA, Lanao del Norte (June 16, 2018) - KABAYAN Partylist Rep.Ron Salo proposed hair sample drug testing for students and athletes mandatory. "There have been just too many reports of drug use among students and even teachers nationwide. Proper intervention with care, compassion, and respect for human rights must be applied now, not later " Rep. Salo said in a statement.

Urine samples are easy to cheat and the window for detecting illegal drugs use is limited to just days or at most a few weeks. Hair samples, according to experts, are difficult to cheat and can detect drug use dating back to months and years. Hair samples have the added conveniences of being non-invasive, easier to sample and quicker to conduct."

"It is for these reasons that I am recommending to the DepEd, CHED, DOH, DILG, DDB, and the mayors and governors that the hair sampling method be used in the random drug testing of students from Grade 3 to the graduating class of college, random testing of teachers, and mandatory testing for all student-athletes," the Congressman said.

Using the hair sampling method, we can really catch the long-term and consistent users of illegal drugs and performance-enhancing drugs.

Cong. Salo said that the budget of hair drug testing can be sourced from the various budgets of the agencies involved, including PhilHealth, and can even be augmented by the Office of the President from the Presidential Social Fund.

Minors’ drug testing and rehab records must be kept confidential and sealed. Teachers found to be drug users ought to be immediately administratively suspended, but the drug pushers among them must be dismissed from the service. (With PR from the office of Cong. Salo)