Anti-Drugs Education Office

Prof. Armela P. Mercado, MIHTM

ADE Coordinator

The WIS Anti-Drugs Education Program Office is a student support and compliance unit that upholds the school’s commitment to a drug-free environment. It administers the Student Drug Testing Policy, which ensures the health, safety, and well-being of the academic community through preventive, fair, and consistent procedures.

The Office of the Anti-Drugs Education is responsible for the following:

Student Drug Testing Policy

I. Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all students by deterring drug use and promoting a drug-free environment. The policy also aims to provide a framework for fair and consistent procedures regarding student drug testing.

II. Scope: This policy applies to all faculty, staff and students enrolled in the school and participating in extracurricular activities, including athletics, clubs, and any other school-sponsored events. It covers drug testing for both students involved in these activities as well as random selection for general student body testing if deemed necessary.

III. Selection Criteria:

  1. Random Selection:
  1. A random, unbiased method will be used to select students for drug testing.
  2. Faculty, Staff and Students may be selected based on a random lottery system, where names are drawn from a pre-established list of students eligible for testing.
  1. Reasonable Suspicion: a. Students may be required to undergo drug testing if there is reasonable suspicion based on:
    • Observable behavior (e.g., erratic behavior, uncharacteristic actions)
    • Academic performance issues (e.g., sudden decline in grades)
    • Reports from peers, faculty, or staff indicating possible drug use
    • History of prior drug-related incidents b. A staff member must document the behavior leading to the suspicion, and the student will be informed of the reason for the test.
  2. Voluntary Participation:
  1. Some students may voluntarily submit to drug testing as part of a substance abuse prevention program or to demonstrate their commitment to staying drug-free.
  1. Extracurricular Activities: a. All students participating in extracurricular activities, including athletics, clubs, and leadership programs, will be subject to random drug testing as a condition of participation.

VI. Testing Procedures:

  1. Notification: a. For random selection, students will be notified about the drug test at least 24 hours in advance, unless the test is based on reasonable suspicion, in which case the student will be informed immediately.
  2. Collection of Samples:
  1. Urine or saliva samples will be collected at a designated location under the supervision of a certified staff member.
  2. The collection process will maintain student privacy, ensuring minimal discomfort.
  3. A second sample may be collected if the first sample is insufficient or deemed invalid.
  1. Testing Method:
  1. Samples will be sent to an accredited, third-party laboratory for analysis.
  2. The laboratory will test for a variety of substances, including but not limited to marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and alcohol.
  1. Chain of Custody:
  1. A strict chain of custody will be maintained during the entire testing process, from collection to testing and storage, to ensure the integrity of the samples.
  1. Results:
  1. Test results will be returned in a timely manner (within 3-5 business days).
  2. The laboratory will report results as positive, negative, or inconclusive.
  3. In the case of inconclusive results, a retest will be scheduled.

V. Confidentiality:

  1. Privacy:
  1. All information related to drug testing will be kept confidential and shared only with designated staff members on a need-to-know basis.
  2. Test results will not be disclosed to anyone other than the student, their parent/guardian (if under 18), and the school administration.
  1. Record Keeping:
  1. Results of drug tests will be stored securely in the student’s confidential file.
  2. No test results will be shared with third parties unless required by law or consented to by the student and their guardian.

VI. Consequences of Positive Test Results:

  1. Initial Positive Results:
  1. If a student tests positive for drugs or alcohol, the student and their parent/guardian will be notified immediately.
  2. A meeting will be held with the student, their parents/guardians, and the school administration to discuss the results.
  1. First Offense:
  1. The student may face one or more of the following consequences:
    • A mandatory counseling session with a certified substance abuse counselor
    • Suspension from extracurricular activities (athletics, clubs, etc.) for a period of time determined by school policy
    • A written warning placed in the student’s file
    • Participation in a substance abuse education program
  2. Second Offense:
  1. The student will face:
    • A mandatory counseling session with a certified substance abuse counselor
    • Suspension from extracurricular activities for a longer period, or possible removal from certain activities
    • Referral to a substance abuse rehabilitation program if necessary
    • Notification to the student’s parent/guardian and potential consequences based on the student’s academic status
  2. Third Offense or Severe Violation:
  1. The student may face the following consequences:
    • Expulsion from extracurricular activities for the remainder of the academic year
    • Suspension or expulsion from school, depending on the severity of the offense
    • Referral to law enforcement authorities if applicable (e.g., illegal substances)

VII. Appeals Process:

  1. Right to Appeal:
  1. Students and their parents/guardians may appeal the results of the drug test or any related disciplinary action within five (5) school days of notification.
  1. Appeal Procedure:
  1. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the school administration, detailing the reasons for the appeal.
  2. A review committee consisting of school administrators, a counselor, and a parent representative will consider the appeal.
  3. The committee will schedule a meeting with the student and their parents/guardians to discuss the appeal and render a final decision.

VIII. Policy Review:

  1. Ongoing Evaluation:
  1. This policy will be reviewed annually by school administrators to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.
  2. Changes to the policy may be made to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, as well as evolving best practices in student health and safety.

IX. Legal Considerations:

  1. Compliance with CHED requirement:
  1. This policy is designed to comply with CMO No. 64 Series of 2017 regarding the Policies Guidelines and Procedures for Higher Education Institution Requiring Drug Testing of Students
  2. This policy is in accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7722 otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994 and RA No. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
  1. Discrimination:
  1. The school will not discriminate against students based on race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected status during the drug testing process as stipulated on Westmead Student Handbook for students.

X. List of Accredited Laboratories:

  1. St Joseph HealthCare Laboratories

XI. Designated drug testing coordinator information:

  1. Armela Mercado

XII. Student consent forms:

Informed consent forms for students to sign before undergoing drug testing.

XIII. Reporting mechanisms:

Procedures for reporting positive results to concerned parties, including parents and relevant authorities.