MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) wants mandatory drug testing for all collegiate athletes.
The PDEA made the call following the arrest of two Far Eastern University (FEU) varsity players for alleged marijuana possession last week.
Basketball players Anthony Hargrove, 21, and Adam Mohammad, 22, were spotted by patrolling policemen allegedly smoking pot at the corner of Nicanor Reyes street and Claro M. Recto Avenue near their campus.
When frisked by policemen, the two allegedly yielded dried marijuana leaves.
“I believe that college basketball players are covered by the drug testing procedure, but on a one-time basis just before the start of the league,†PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said.
He said a more systematic drug testing program for athletes should be put in place and implemented strictly among sportsmen.
“This should be an eye-opener. All schools must observe stringent drug testing program that their varsity athletes must adhere to, not only in basketball, but in other sports as well,†Cacdac said.
“Sports is a constructive force in developing one’s character and in promoting the ideals of clean living, thus there should be no room for illegal drugs,†he added.