Youth exec saddened by Sangguniang Kabataan drug test results

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Youth Commission is saddened by the drug test results that found four Sangguniang Kabataan officials positive of illegal drug use.

James Canoy, PYC executive director, said they were shocked by the results but admitted that the possibility of SK officials using drugs is always there.

"Makaingon ta nga dili maayo ilang nabuhat but I will not condemn them, we will give them a chance, karon nasakpan sila nga positve sila then tagaan nato sila og chance na mag-usab, to change direction" Canoy said.

The Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CPADAO) reported at least two SK chairpersons and two councilors that were tested positive of illegal drug use during a series of tests conducted last month.

 One chairperson came from Danao City while the other was from Oslob. The councilors were from Danao and Carmen. CPADAO chief Ivy Durano Meca, however, said the results are still subject to confirmatory test.

Meca said the two SK officials from Danao have already submitted themselves to treatment program in their community. She also clarified that the four drug positive officials did not come from the drug-cleared barangays in the province.

Canoy also said the PYC will help the SK Federation in its campaign against illegal drugs, especially in the barangays where the drug positive SK officials came from.

Canoy said they will assess the plans and activities of the federation through the Comprehensive Barangay Youth Investment Plan and Annual Barangay Plan. He urged the SK officials to avoid illegal drugs since they are supposed to be models to the youths in their respective places.

Meanwhile, Cebu City SK Federation president Jessica Resch said she will request the City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) to conduct a random drug test on all SK officials in the city.

Resch, however, said that none of the SK officials were tested positive in the previous drug tests.

COSAP is facilitating random drug test on all city officials and employees every year pursuant to Section 36 (d) of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. —   Odessa O. Leyson FPL (FREEMAN)