14 workers from 5 LGUs test positive of drug use

CEBU, Philippines — Fourteen employees from four towns and one city in Cebu province have tested positive of using illegal drugs during a surprise drug tests conducted by the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO).

At least 908 employees from different local government units and police personnel were subjected to a drug test by CPADAO on the first week of May until the third week.

Ivy Durano-Meca, head of CPADAO, said 338 employees from San Fernando have undergone a drug test last May 3 and four male job order employees tested positive.

On May 10, the 23 personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) were also subjected to a drug test and no one tested positive.

Two employees, one regular and JO, also tested positive among the 66 employees of the City of Naga who were subjected to a drug test last May 22.

All those who tested positive will be subjected to confirmatory tests.

Job order employees who will test positive of drug use will be automatically kicked out from service while the casual and regular employees have to go through a process.

Meca commended the officials of the City of Naga who have been consistent in conducting random drug test among their employees.

"The City of Naga is the only LGU that has a very good practice of drug free workplace program. They have one year schedule for a surprise drug test of their employees," Meca said.

Drug Test for Teachers

Meanwhile, the Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd-7) is preparing to conduct drug testing for its personnel, teachers and students.

Dr. Brazil Sanchez, DepEd-7 Human Resource Management officer, said administrators are still busy with the simultaneous orientations of all teaching and nonteaching staff, including the students.

She said some personnel from the division offices were already oriented since February and drug testing was then rolled out a month after.

She said drug test in the regional office and for the students has not started yet.

"No employee can say no. If he or she refuses to undergo the drug test, then the person may be charged administratively," she told The FREEMAN.

She said the head office has allocated a budget for the testing procedures to cover at least P20,000 of the teaching and nonteaching personnel and almost P20,000 of the students in the region.

The total population of the teaching and nonteaching personnel in the region reaches almost 70,000. However, there is no final data yet of the enrolled students for the next school year.

Sanchez said personnel from the regional and division offices will undergo a mandatory drug test while teachers and students will only be subjected randomly.

She said the surprise drug test is administered by the Department of Health officers from Manila with the National Health Laboratory.

Results will have to be sent to Manila first for confirmatory test.

If an employee is found positive of using illegal drugs, she said he or she is not automatically dismissed from service.

Sanchez wanted to emphasize that drug problem, particularly drug use and addiction, is considered as a health issue.

"We never condemn them (personnel). We give them hope to change, to rebuild and restore their lives," she said.

Sanchez said interventions are done depending on the severity of the condition of the individual. In severe cases, the person will have to be admitted in a rehabilitation program.

The same principle applies to students. She said DepEd also wants the students to regain their life and return to the community and live a better life. — May B. Miasco/MBG (FREEMAN)