Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU), through the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and the Ateneo Higher Education Health Services Office (AHEHSO), has conducted random drug testing for the second consecutive semester. The latest testing took place on March 4-5, 2025 at the Alingal Multipurpose Hall.
The testing reached 13.68% of the student population in the first semester, and 16.5% in the second semester. The organizers plan to schedule additional testing activities on surprise dates throughout the school year.
The random drug testing initiative is part of the university’s Higher Education Drug-Free Campus Program, Policy, and Implementing Guidelines approved in April 2024. This new policy focuses on three essential components: prevention, regular random drug testing, and intervention, which are all crucial in addressing drug-related issues.
The random drug testing was conducted in partnership with a testing laboratory accredited by the Department of Health. It followed the standards set by the DOH, and complied with the relevant frameworks, including Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), which mandates drug testing for tertiary students, as well as other guidelines for drug testing for tertiary students, such as the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Memorandum Orders, particularly CMO No. 64, Series of 2017, and CMO No. 18, Series of 2018.
Participants were selected using a secure randomizer program developed by the ADNU’s Management Information System (MIS). The process was facilitated by the authorized OSA personnel and observed by a student representative from the Lideratos Kan Nueva Atenista. This method ensured that the process was fair, transparent, and devoid of any suspicion regarding drug use among those selected.
In the event of a positive initial drug test result, a confirmatory test will be conducted. If the confirmatory result is also positive, the student will undergo a medical assessment for proper intervention and support. All results will be treated with utmost confidentiality, safeguarding the privacy of the students involved.
Some students selected for random drug testing last semester have been included again in this semester’s testing as part of the university’s ongoing monitoring process. This reflects the randomness of the selection process, ensuring that every student has an equal chance to be chosen each semester, regardless of their previous participation.
Alongside the implementation of random drug testing, the university will continue to organize educational and formative activities in the upcoming semesters to ensure a truly safe and drug-free environment for all. In fact, OSA and AHEHSO previously hosted a whole-day Anti-Illegal Drug Seminar on September 28, 2024. Furthermore, an Anti-Smoking and Substance Abuse Webinar titled “Shake it Off: Let Go of the Vape” is scheduled on March 28, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 nn. The event will be held via Google Meet and live-streamed on the ADNU OSA YouTube account.
