Schools, universities asked to stop drug tests<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Doctors at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital
\ncalled on schools and universities on Thursday to stop subjecting
\nnew students to drug tests which they say are either flawed or
\ntoo costly to be comprehensive.<\/p>\n
In a symposium on the question of whether or not schools
\nshould conduct drug tests on students, the doctors said a partial
\ndrug test, such as a urine test, conducted by many schools in
\nJakarta, could be misleading.<\/p>\n
An active drug user could still pass the test, and conversely,
\na non-user could fail the test and be declared a user, they said.<\/p>\n
The only way to determine one's drug history is to take a
\ndifferent test for each substance, namely: amphetamines, cocaine,
\nmorphine and marijuana, they said, adding that it would be too
\nexpensive.<\/p>\n
Pathologist Diana Aulia said one test costs about Rp 40,000,
\nwhile thorough drug testing could cost as much as Rp 200,000.<\/p>\n
"This would burden parents further as they also have to pay
\ntuition and admission fees," Diana said.<\/p>\n
Zubairi Djoerban said that addictive substances usually left
\nthe body three days after they were consumed.<\/p>\n
A drug addict who takes a urine test after that period of time
\nwould be declared drug-free, Zubairi said.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, certain medications could cause a person to
\nbe declared a drug user through a urine test. Diet pills often
\nuse amphetamines and cough medicines usually contain methadone,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The one-day symposium by the Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital was
\nattended by mostly doctors and parents of drug users. There were
\nno representatives from schools or universities.<\/p>\n
Many state schools in Jakarta as well as a number of
\nuniversities have introduced the urine test as part of their
\ncampaign to stamp out drug abuse in their respective
\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
Samsuridjal Djoerban of the Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital agreed
\nthat a drug-free environment at schools and universities was
\nessential, but subjecting students to urine tests was not likely
\nto be effective.<\/p>\n
To establish a drug-free environment, schools and universities
\ncould increase students's awareness about how destructive drugs
\ncan be, Samsuridjal said.<\/p>\n
Schools and universities should refer drug users to
\nappropriate treatment centers, he said.<\/p>\n
"The most efficient containment is to have your child fully
\nunderstand the dangers of using drugs," he said. (06)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/schools-universities-asked-to-stop-drug-tests-1447893297",
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