There are elementary and high school teachers in Negros Occidental being monitored by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for alleged illegal drug use, Intelligence Officer 3 Cerilo Baluma confirmed yesterday.

Intelligence Division chief of PDEA in Region 6, Baluma, however, refused to disclose whether these teachers are from private or public schools.

He said this is not new to them because every year, they continue to receive reports from concerned citizens about teachers who are allegedly into illegal drug use.

In fact, Baluma said, PDEA had arrested one teacher in a pot session during an anti-illegal drugs operation several years ago in Purok Sigay, Brgy. 2 in Bacolod City.

He added that they are still monitoring the two big universities in Negros Occidental, as they continue to receive information that peddlers are circulating illegal drugs in these institutions.

Aside from the universities, there are public and private schools in the city that are also being closely monitored by PDEA since last year for alleged sale of marijuana and shabu within their campuses.

To curb the proliferation of illegal drugs in school campuses, PDEA is conducting symposiums to emphasize their ill effects on students, Baluma said.

PDEA is also pushing for random drug testing in schools in the province to identify, and also help, not only students but teachers who are into illegal drug use.

Baluma urged parents and the academe to help in the drive against illegal drug proliferation in school campuses.

REGULATED DRUGS

Meanwhile, PDEA in Region 6 has monitored several drug stores in Bacolod City and in Negros Occidental selling regulated drugs even if they do not have licenses to do so, Baluma said.

Only drug stores that have secured S2 licenses from the agency are allowed to sell regulated drugs, he said.

Regulated drugs, are those that can be bought legally at drug stores with doctor’s prescriptions and are used to treat serious illnesses like cancer.

Under the law, the selling of regulated drugs is prohibited without doctor’s prescription or license from concerned agencies like PDEA as these drugs could be dangerous if not used properly, Baluma said.

He said that they will conduct test-buy operations in drug stores in Bacolod and in Negros Occidental and the owners of those found selling regulated drugs without S2 licenses will be charged for violation of section 5 of Republic Act 9165.

Violation of Section 5 of RA 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 is a non-bailable offense, Baluma warned.*APN

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