72 high school students test positive for illegal drugs

Seventy-two high school students were tested positive for illegal drugs in random checks conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DepEd) in 2009. Seventy of the students were found to have used marijuana, while the remaining two tested positive for shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride). Some 29,000 students underwent the drug tests. Those found positive for drug use represent less than one percent of those tested.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV The DepEd said the identities of the students would be kept confidential. The random drug tests were conducted from February to December last year. The DepEd said it would conduct more drug tests in schools starting this month up to March. - ANDREO C. CALONZO, GMANews.TV