STARTING next week, teachers and non-teaching personnel of over 300 public elementary and secondary schools in Cebu Province may be required to take drug tests before the opening of classes on June 3.

Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (Cpadao) chief Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca said Friday, May 17, the giving of random drug tests was requested by the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu Provincial Schools Division Office.

“We have already plotted a schedule for teaching and non-teaching staff under the Cebu Provincial Schools Division,” she said.

Aside from the DepEd, the Cpadao is also working with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for the conduct of drug tests in detention centers. As of Friday, Meca said they have administered random drug tests on 331 personnel in six jail facilities in the province and Cebu City. Tests were also done in Naga, Talisay and Toledo jails.

At least 53 BJMP regional office personnel took the surprise drug test with all of them having negative results. (RTF)