COSAP mulls higher standards in hiring tanods

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention will recommend to the Association of Barangay Councils to raise the standard in hiring barangay tanods.

This after a series of random drug tests in different barangays in Cebu City showed that tanods, loaders and garbage truck drivers tested positive for illegal drugs, said Dr. Alice Utlang, who heads COSAP.

Utlang said another tanod and three loaders were found positive in the latest random drug test that they conducted yesterday from among the 45 employees of Barangay Sta. Cruz.

The three loaders were clean and green personnel of the barangay, said Utlang.

“I-angat na g’yud dapat ang qualification to make sure na dili na sila mag-take og illegal drugs,” she stressed.

Utlang said that based on their previous interview with other tanods, they found out that those positive for shabu used drugs so they could perform their jobs well, especially at night.

“Kay gabii man ilang duty tigbantay, gusto nila na bugoy-bugoy o astig sila tan-awon,” the COSAP head said.

Utlang said the other reason given was the employees’ non-attachment to God.

“So i-apil usab ni nato sa atong rehabilitation ang aspect about God. The tanods said basin mao ni ang way para mabalik kuno sila sa Ginoo,” the COSAP Utlang said.

More or less 80 employees from the 22 out of 80 barangays have so far been found out to be using shabu since COSAP conducted the random drug test in January this year.

Sta. Cruz officials are now assessing the performance of the four who used drugs.

Those who are subject to suspension will undergo rehabilitation at COSAP’s Outpatient Rehabilitation for at least three months.

Utlang said a volunteer group called Angel, who works for COSAP, will conduct the rehabilitation for free. The group is composed of psychologists, guidance counselors, and previous drug users who have already recovered.

For those who are found out to be already dependent on drugs, they will undergo dependency exam at the City Health Department.

CHD will then determine the degree of the subjects’ dependence on drug and eventually recommend them to undergo recovery at a rehabilitation center, Utlang added.  (FREEMAN)