HlthMin Rafila: I advocate that drug testing should be done after it is very well technically documented
Health Minister Alexandru Rafila believes that drug testing of students should be done, but only after everything is "very well documented" from a technical point of view and after deciding on the circumstances under which it will take place, told Agerpres.
"We see who we are testing, what the circumstances are, how we establish the parent's consent, which obviously should be in writing, and the technical way of carrying out the testing," Rafila told AGERPRES on Thursday.
According to him, parents had to be informed through a campaign.
The minister said that there are quick indicative tests of urine and saliva and confirmatory tests of blood that can be done in the laboratory.
"It's a hot potato, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do it. We need to be very well prepared by an information campaign for parents in the first place. From a technical point of view, there is the possibility of quick tests of either urine or saliva, and these rapid tests, which are indicative in the case of positivity, have to be confirmed by a laboratory test that is done by taking blood from the person in question who has tested positive," explained Rafila.
At the same time, the minister is of the opinion that, if a confirmatory test comes out positive, a package of measures is necessary for the school to take, such as psychological counseling, avoiding discrimination or stigmatisation.
"Again, after informing and with the consent of the parents, and in case such a rapid test shows positive it must be followed by a confirmatory test; it should also entail a package of information on measures that the schools must take, which means psychological counselling of the child, great discretion regarding the identity of the person testing positive to avoid discrimination and stigmatisation; later we should get together to discuss what the therapeutic resources are because in the case of acute intoxication with psychoactive substances there is a treatment of 10-12 days done in a hospital that treats such pathologies, usually psychiatric hospitals, but the subsequent recovery, the psychological assistance of the person and his family is very important," said the minister.
Comentează