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Friday, June 20, 2003
Domogan welcomes random drug tests
By May Anne Cacdac
BAGUIO Rep. Mauricio Domogan told reporters Thursday that he welcomes the implementation of random drug testing among students, private employees, and especially of government workers.
This developed even as the solon still has to take the test.
"I am still recovering from influenza, but once I fully recover, I will take the drug test already as initiated by Mayor Bernardo Vergara and Vice Mayor Betty Lourdes Tabanda on Tuesday," Domogan added.
However, Domogan said that measures would have to be taken to ensure that human rights violations do not occur during the implementation of the said test.
"There have been numerous cases where results of these drug tests were manufactured. We have to be on the look out that this does not happen," he said.
He also pointed out that drug testing might become a heavy financial burden to carry on the part of the government, saying, "A drug test will cost around P300. Multiply that by the number of concerned employees who will have to take the test and we will come up with a significant expense. But still the city government will fully support this program."
Echoing the sentiment of the mayor, Domogan said that city government employees, who will be found positive of using prohibited drugs, should not be fired immediately.
"I agree that they ought to be rehabilitated. They will have to be issued stern warnings though. If, in the event that they do not undergo rehabilitation or have failed to be rehabilitated, that is the time when they should be terminated," Domogan said.
The solon stressed that stricter policies should govern the law enforcers. "There are some police personnel, who go about implementing the law, but at the same time are the ones violating it. The police authorities should be more wary of the activities of their own men."
Domogan said that solving the drug menace in the country should be rooted in the family. "Parents are the ones who are supposed to be inculcating values into their children, to ingrain in the minds of their children that drugs will eventually lead to the destruction of their lives and their families."
The solon, who was the guest speaker at Thursday's celebration of the 142nd birth anniversary of the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Elementary School, also appealed to teachers to help parents mold the youth into becoming more productive members of society.
Earlier, Tabanda, who also chairs the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, said that they have already tapped the City Schools Superintendent's Office for a massive information campaign on the effects of illegal drugs.
School officials earlier admitted that several high school students were already monitored to have been using illegal drugs.
Last year, some 14 high school students were found positive of drug abuse. They were subsequently turned over to their respective parents after months of rehabilitation.
(June 20, 2003 issue)
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