Council staff tests positive for shabu

CEBU, Philippines -  One of the staff of the Cebu City Council was found positive of illegal drug use during the random drug testing conducted by the City Office on Substance Abuse Prevention yesterday.

At least 31 employees underwent the test, COSAP chief Dr. Alice Utlang said, who refused to name the person who tested positive for confidentiality sake.

“Gamay ra man ang personnel sa mga konsehal nga gi-sample ug sa SP, maluoy ta dali ra mahibaw-an kun mosulti ko. Naa man gud nga sa councilors, usa or duha ra ang gipa-drug test,” Utlang said.

She said she will submit the result to the Human Resource and Development Office for the next process.

Based on the ordinance, according to Utlang, casual employees are automatically terminated once they are found positive of dangerous drugs.

“Pero ni-suggest gyud mi (COSAP) nga if magpa-rehabilitate lang, tagaan og second chance. Pero kun within the first month wala gyud kausaban, ayaw na lang,” she said.

Section 36 of the Republic Act 9165 known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 states that “officers and employees of public and private offices, whether domestic or overseas, shall be subjected to undergo a random drug test as contained in the company’s work rules and regulations. Any officer or employee found positive for use of dangerous drugs shall be dealt with administratively which shall be a ground for suspension or termination.”

The COSAP chief said she is happy that the councilors are supportive of their activity in determining employees who use illegal drugs.

“We are also happy kay gamay ra gyud ang positive,” said Utlang, adding that only 10 of the 500 City Hall employees and job order personnel who underwent the drug test have so far tested positive of shabu. —/NSA (FREEMAN)