LOCAL government and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials and employees who tested positive for drug use and admit to using illegal drugs will have to undergo a community-based rehabilitation program, Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO) Chief Ivy Durano Meca said.

Meca said that some Capitol employees and SK officials who tested positive during drug tests have already confessed to using illegal substances.

She said they have forwarded the drug test results of those willing to be treated to the Municipal Health Office (MHO) and City Health Office (CHO) for assessment.

Earlier this month, an SK councilor and two barangay tanods from Danao City, an SK councilor from Carmen town and two job-order municipal employees from Sogod tested positive for illegal drug use.

“As assessed by our CHO and MHO, whatever the result is the same thing we will follow. Automatically the person will undergo the community-based rehabilitation program,” Meca said in an interview yesterday.

As for officials who opt to seek treatment in rehabilitation centers, Meca said this will not be used as basis for dismissal from service. (Wenilyn Sabalo, Correspondent)