Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU), through the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and the Ateneo Higher Education Health Services Office (AHEHSO), conducted random drug testing for the first semester of School Year 2025–2026. The latest rounds were held on September 24 and October 21–22, 2025, at the Alingal Multipurpose Hall.
A total of 1,194 students, representing 22.68% of the university’s student population, participated in the activity. OSA and AHEHSO plan to conduct additional surprise testing sessions throughout the academic year.
The initiative is part of ADNU’s Higher Education Drug-Free Campus Program, Policy, and Implementing Guidelines, approved in April 2024. Rooted in the pillars of prevention, regular random drug testing, and intervention, the program aims to strengthen the university’s response to drug-related concerns.
Testing was conducted in partnership with a Department of Health-accredited laboratory, following DOH standards and in compliance with relevant national frameworks, including Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and the Commission on Higher Education’s CMO No. 64, s. 2017 and CMO No. 18, s. 2018.
Participants were selected through a secure randomizer program developed by the Management Information System (MIS). The process was facilitated by authorized OSA personnel and observed by a student representative from the Council of Organizations in Ateneo – Naga (COA-N) to ensure fairness, transparency, and objectivity.
Students who receive a positive result in the initial screening, if any, will undergo a confirmatory test. If confirmed, they will be referred for medical assessment, intervention, and appropriate support. All test results are handled with strict confidentiality to protect student privacy.
Since the start of the Random Drug Testing (RDT) program, some students have been selected more than once due to the nature of the randomization process. As of the latest round, 197 students have undergone testing more than once, underscoring that every student has an equal chance of being selected each semester.
Alongside the RDT program, ADNU continues to implement educational and formative initiatives promoting a safe, healthy, and drug-free campus.
Written by Janice L. Tresvalles
