Appendix 4

ATENEO DE NAGA UNIVERSITY HIGHER EDUCATION DRUG-FREE CAMPUS PROGRAM, POLICY AND IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES (EXCERPTS)

I.B. Policy Statement

Ateneo de Naga University's Higher Education is devoted to implementing a comprehensive Drug-Free Campus Program, Policy, and Guidelines. This program takes a holistic approach to address the potential problem of illegal drugs, aiming to create a safe and healthy environment for students, foster their personal and academic growth, and promote responsible behavior. The program comprises three essential components: Prevention, Drug Testing, and Intervention.

The first component of the program focuses on prevention. To effectively address drug-related issues, the university integrates drug health education into the curriculum. This ensures that students receive comprehensive information and understand drugs. Additionally, the university offers a wide range of formation programs and student services that equip young people with the life skills necessary to navigate different situations without resorting to vices like drugs. The goal is to promote healthy lifestyles, responsible decision-making, and the ability to resist pressure to use drugs.

The second key component of the program is the conduct of periodic mandatory random drug testing among higher education students. This measure serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it acts as a deterrent against drug use. Secondly, it provides an opportunity for health interventions when necessary. Lastly, it contributes to the creation of a campus environment that is free from substance abuse. Random drug testing follows established guidelines to ensure objectivity, fairness, and accuracy.

Recognizing the importance of providing support and guidance to students struggling with substance abuse issues, the program's third component is intervention. This component emphasizes a cooperative approach involving relevant school units, the concerned students, professionals, and agencies dedicated to addressing substance abuse. The university aims to help these students overcome their challenges and promote their overall well-being by offering the necessary assistance.

By implementing the Drug-Free Campus Program, Policy, and Guidelines, ADNU demonstrates its unwavering commitment to creating an environment where students can thrive academically, grow personally, and develop responsible behaviors. The holistic approach of this program, along with its three components, ensures the well-being and success of every student within the university community.

VII. General Guidelines of the Random Drug Testing of Higher Education Students

1. The Ateneo de Naga University is mandated to implement mandatory random drug testing among higher education students through government regulations, requirements, and the university’s implementing guidelines. 

2. The Drug-Free Campus Committee is created to formulate and review existing random drug testing guidelines. The Coordinator for Drug Testing is responsible for organizing and implementing drug testing. 

3. All incoming higher education students must sign a Consent Form agreeing to participate in the random selection for drug testing anytime during their tenure in the university. 

4. The random drug testing policy is integrated into the orientation programs for both new and upper-class students. 

5. The College Student Handbook publishes the random drug testing policy, guidelines, and procedures. 

6. The university secures, through a Memorandum of Agreement, the services of a Department of Health (DOH)-accredited drug testing laboratory to conduct the drug testing.

7. The university will collect a Drug Prevention and Testing Fee for all higher education students every semester. 

8. The university adopts a compassionate approach by providing appropriate health and formative interventions to students who test positive for dangerous drug use during random drug testing, rather than resorting to punitive measures.

Further, the university ensures that the results of the drug testing program cannot be used as evidence in any criminal proceedings. 

However, if a student continues to test positive for drug use during the mandatory monitoring drug testing, in spite of the school’s interventions, the concerned student will be subject to the school’s disciplinary procedures. 

9. The personnel involved in the drug testing program must strictly adhere to data privacy and utmost confidentiality in handling information. This includes, but is not limited to, the list of selected students for testing, the schedule of testing, and test results. Only authorized school personnel, the concerned students, and their parents or authorized guardians shall have access to relevant data. Any breach of confidentiality will be dealt with according to the Faculty, Staff, and Student Manual/Handbook.

Further, all files pertaining to the Drug Testing Program shall be securely stored in locked steel cabinets, with digital copies being password-protected. 

Process for the Random Drug Testing

A. Schedule, Sampling, and Frequency of Testing

1. The random drug testing schedule is strictly unannounced and set by the Drug Testing Coordinator, confirmed by the Committee. 

2. No testing is scheduled during significant examinations, major student activities (e.g. Intramurals), and school and national holidays. 

3. The testing is conducted every semester, with a moving target of at least 10 percent of the student population for the entire school year. 

4. Through its Director or authorized representative, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) facilitates the random selection of students who will undergo testing at least two weeks before the testing date. The students shall be randomly selected through the Management Information System’s electronic lottery system. 

5. Only bona fide currently enrolled students will be selected for drug testing. 

B. Notification and Enforcement of Drug Testing 

1. There will be three levels of notification to the students during the date of the drug testing schedule:

a. OSA will individually email each randomly selected student through the Gbox System, providing details about their selection, schedule, and drug testing procedures, among other important information.

b. OSA shall issue a Call Slip to students during their classes.

c. OSA may use the university’s Information System to text or call students to remind them of their scheduled testing time. 

2. Students selected for testing are excused from the affected class/es. The Ateneo Higher Education Health Services Office issues an excuse letter to the student concerned after the test.

3. Students who refuse or fail to undergo random drug testing must explain in writing within two days after their testing schedule is duly signed by the student and parent or authorized guardian. The written explanation should be duly signed by the parent or guardian and supported by proof of valid reason. If the reason is deemed invalid, ADNU, through OSA or the Disciplinary Board, will impose the following penalties for disobedience/non-compliance with the Admission Contract with ADNU:

a.    First Offense: Written Reprimand and Warning, and School/Community Work

b.    Second Offense: Non-Readmission 

4. The concerned students will undergo formative interventions, such as but not limited to counseling sessions. They must submit to OSA a certification stating that they have completed the sanctions and formative interventions as a condition for re-enrolment/admission in the succeeding semester.

5. The school’s disciplinary action against a student who did not show up during his/her drug testing schedule may be deferred if he/she offers to be available during the next unannounced schedule of random drug testing.

6. Refusal to undergo testing shall not give rise to the presumption of drug use or dependency. 

C. Procedures for the Drug Testing

1. The students are oriented on the drug testing process and provided with an Information Sheet detailing the procedures.

2. Before testing, selected students fill out a Medical History Form detailing the medication, vitamins, and food supplements they had taken within five (5) days. 

3. The students sign a Consent Form for the drug testing, which includes a provision acknowledging responsibility for the cost of a confirmatory test if the initial result is positive.

4. The DOH-accredited drug testing laboratory follows government-prescribed guidelines for collecting urine specimens. These guidelines are strategically posted in the testing area.

5. The accredited laboratory and AHEHSO are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the collection process and the privacy of the testing area. The specimen collectors should be of the same sex as the student.

6. The accredited laboratory releases the test results to the Drug Testing Coordinator.

7. The Drug Testing Coordinator personally and privately communicates drug test results to the concerned student, parents, or authorized guardian.

D. Procedures for Confirmatory Drug Testing 

1. If the test result is confirmed positive, the Drug Testing coordinator shall personally and privately communicate the result to the student concerned.

2. The school-contracted drug testing laboratory will facilitate the confirmatory test for students who have tested positive for drugs using the same sample specimen. The concerned students will be responsible for covering the fee for the confirmatory test. 

3. The Drug Testing Coordinator will meet with the concerned student and his/her parent/guardian to communicate the results and the next steps. 

4. The concerned student shall consult the physician affiliated with the accredited drug testing facility for assessment. The Drug Testing Coordinator will arrange the consultation. 

5. If the confirmatory test result is negative, no interventions are needed.

E. Interventions

1. Upon assessment by the school-contracted DOH-accredited physician, the student shall be referred to an external facility/ies for appropriate intervention or rehabilitation process. 

2. The Drug Testing Coordinator and the case management team from the relevant offices (CGC, CCMO, AHEHSO, OSA) will assess the school’s formative interventions (counseling, spiritual formation, health education) needed for the students. 

3. The concerned student may be subjected to undergo periodic drug testing organized by the school.  

4. The Drug Testing Coordinator shall conduct a conference with the concerned student and his/her parent or authorized guardian to discuss the required interventions. The student and the parent/guardian will sign a commitment pledge to undergo the said interventions. 

5. The Drug Testing Coordinator shall monitor and supervise the student’s compliance with the recommended formative interventions and rehabilitation for clearance purposes.

VIII. Effectivity 

This policy shall take effect immediately after the approval of the University President. Immediate dissemination of and compliance with this policy is directed. 

Before the implementation, the Committee shall conduct a consultation with students and the College Parents and Teachers Association during the semester before the school year of implementation. 

The Committee shall review the policy after one year of implementation. 

ANTI-VIOLENCE PLEDGE

I, ____________________________________________(Name), _____________________(Nationality), ____________years of age, applying to be admitted/re-admitted to the Ateneo de Naga University, in the _______________________ degree program, College of ___________________________________, born on ____________________________________________, and with residence and postal address at ____________________________________________________________________________________, from (Last School Attended) __________________________________________________________, hereby declare that:

1.   I am not a member of any fraternity, sorority or organization that uses hazing as an initiation or practice, as a prerequisite for admission into membership and/or for continued membership, inflicts physical or psychological suffering, harm, or injury upon a recruit, neophyte, applicant or member.

2.   Once admitted as a student of Ateneo de Naga University (hereinafter called the UNIVERSITY), I will not join or participate in any fraternity, sorority or organization that conducts hazing or other forms of initiation that involve violence.

Further, I acknowledge and understand that:

1.   The UNIVERSITY is expected to promote the Constitution’s desire to “build a just and humane society (Preamble, 1987 Philippine Constitution), and to value the “dignity of every human person and full respect for human rights”, promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of the youth, and promote total human liberation and development.” (Declaration of Principles, 1987 Philippine Constitution)

2.   The UNIVERSITY, accorded with special parental authority by the Family Code, has the right and duty to provide students with moral and spiritual guidance, inculcate in them honesty, integrity, self-discipline, self-reliance, industry, thrust, stimulate their interest in civic affairs, and inspire them in compliance with duties of citizenship; and furnish them with good and wholesome educational materials, supervise their activities, reaction and association with others, protect them from bad company and prevent them from acquiring habits detrimental to their health, studies and morals. (Articles 218, 220, The New Family Code of the Philippines)

3.   The UNIVERSITY has the authority to maintain good school discipline inside the school campus as well as outside the school premises to prevent the breakdown (Section 74, Manual of Regulations for Private Schools), develop and maintain a healthy school atmosphere conducive to the promotion and preservation of academic freedom and effective teaching and learning, and to progressive school-personnel relationship. (Section 17, Batas Pambansa 232)

4.   The UNIVERSITY recognizes the students’ right to form, establish, join and participate in organizations and societies RECOGNIZED by the school to foster their intellectual, cultural, spiritual and physical growth and development, or to form, establish, join, maintain organizations and societies for purposes NOT contrary to law (BP 232 Section 9 [8]) and NOT contrary to the University Mission.

5.   The UNIVERSITY has the duty to take proactive steps to protect its students from the dangers of membership in organizations and activities that involve hazing. (Section 8, Anti-Hazing Act of 2018)

6.   My admission to the UNIVERSITY is a privilege and not a right and is discretionary upon the school (227 SCRA 591), and the University has the right to impose rules and regulations for the admission of students (G.R. No. 90063, 12 December 1989).

7.   My continued stay in the University is subject to my compliance with the prescribed discipline policies, rules and regulations of the UNIVERSITY.

8.   The Code of Discipline of the UNIVERSITY provides discipline necessary for the attainment of the University Mission. It addresses the behavior of students in and outside the campus. No student may belong to a group or organization which uses violence as means of initiation or of group expression, or which disrespects the rights and dignity of human persons, whether members or not, on or off-campus. Membership in such groups or organizations is incompatible with membership in the UNIVERSITY. (Code of Discipline, College Student Handbook)

9.   The UNIVERSITY can dismiss or expel me if I would be found having violated the conditions to this affidavit as well as having falsely verified any information stated herein, in accordance with the school’s disciplinary procedures. (222 SCRA 644, 648, Section 17, Manual of Regulations for Private Schools; Code of Discipline, ADNU College Student Handbook).

I am making this pledge as a prerequisite of my admission as a student of the University, and for whatever legal purpose this may serve.

 _______________________________________________

Signature Over Printed Name of Student

Date:_______________________

Assisted by:           ____________________________________________________

                                               Signature Over Printed Name of Parent/Guardian

Date: ______________________