SIX of the 200 fire volunteers assigned in 29 Cebu City barangays were found positive of illegal drug use following a surprise drug test during their Christmas party in Barangay Tinago last week.
The Cebu City Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (Cosap) made the disclosure last Friday, Dec. 20, 2019.
Barangay Capitol Site Councilor Kelly Quimada, who heads the City’s fire volunteers, said he was disappointed with the results of the surprise drug tests as he never thought that some of his personnel were using illegal drugs.
But even with the results, Quijada said the drug tests showed them who were drug users in their ranks.
He added that as promised during their Christmas party, those who were found positive during the drug tests would be removed from their ranks immediately.
However, Quijada clarified that it will be up to the barangay captains whether to remove the volunteers who tested positive for drugs.
“If the village chief decides to not remove him or her, then it’s the former’s liability for allowing them to volunteer,” Quijada said in Cebuano.
Those who tested negative will still be monitored closely, Quijada said.
He added that more surprise drug tests will be conducted among their volunteers to ensure that their personnel are drug-free.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office acting head Harold Alcontin said he was glad that only a few volunteers were found positive of illegal drug use.
Alcontin reminded their personnel, whether regular or on voluntary basis, that they do not tolerate drug use among their ranks. / BBT/ JKV