Capitol to release guide on how to deal with drug-linked workers

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is eyeing to issue an executive order that contains guidelines on how the Capitol will deal with government employees found using illegal drugs.

The planned EO stemmed from the queries of local government units on how they will deal with government personnel involved with drugs.

The EO, Davide said, will provide uniform guidelines for Capitol and other LGUs, particularly on what are the necessary interventions to be undertaken before dismissing or renewing employees found positive for drug use.

"We will be looking at giving them a chance for reemployment after undergoing rehabilitation," he said.

He added that the province will help the employees get back their jobs, as well as renew their lives through community-based treatment program.

"But they have to prove that they are still eligible to work under certain condition then they can reapply," he said.

The community-based program will only run for four months and will provide enrollees with the necessary treatment such as medical care, psycho-social intervention, and weekly drug testing, among others.

He said health personnel will assess the self-confessed drug user whether he or she can qualify for the out-patient rehabilitation service or if the person will have to undergo an intensive in-house treatment.

They will also determine the employees' dependency on drugs.

There are 8,000 barangay health workers, 67 municipal health workers, and 6,000 midwives who serve as "force multiplier" in the rehabilitation process.

 The 14,000 workers will augment the over 200 nurses and around 130 doctors.

Further, the province is set to give awards to those LGUs that have passed the criteria of the province's "Sugbo Kontra Droga" (Sukod) program. (FREEMAN)