Tests confirm 9 Capitol workers did use drugs

CEBU, Philippines - Confirmatory tests have proven beyond doubt that all nine provincial government employees found positive of drug use during initial testing are really using shabu.

Cebu Provincial Anti-drug Abuse Commission  Executive Director Joey Herrera confirmed the result from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency laboratory which was released yesterday morning.

“Positive ang result. Presence of methamphetamine, shabu,” he told reporters.

PDEA administered the drug test on 169 Capitol employees picked through computer-generated random selection process on Monday.

The nine employees, most of them outsourced, were found positive during the initial screening.

The results were then subjected to a confirmatory test at a PDEA laboratory.

Herrera further disclosed that one of the employees found positive of illegal drug use is female.

CPADAC said it cannot yet divulge the departments where the nine employees are detailed, but said there are six offices involved.

“The offices that are involved, ipatawag pa namo. We will just wait for the official statement from the province,” he added.

Sanctions will be imposed on those found positive of using illegal drugs.

CPADAC co-chairwoman Board Member Carmen Durano-Meca explained that the people concerned will be referred to the Capitol’s Committee on Discipline and Investigation.

Under Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, any public officer or employee found positive of using dangerous drugs shall be dealt with administratively.

The offense would be a ground for suspension or termination, subject to the provisions of the Labor Code and the Civil Service Law.

Governor Hilario Davide III earlier stressed that the surprise drug test is part of the province’s thrust to intensify the anti-drug abuse council of local governments units.

Herrera further added that they have yet to create a drug-free workplace assessment team in adherence to the Dangerous Drugs Board’s guideline to rehabilitate those who are drug dependents.

“The governor will issue og executive order aron makabuhat mi’g program sa mga employees here. What will happen is we will be able to get a program of the drug dependents sa Capitol. —/BRP (FREEMAN)