Abolish mandatory drug testing - Sotto

CEBU – Former senator and now Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he is not in favor of mandatory drug testing and suggested to law enforcers to abolish it.

Sotto said he prefers random drug test but only for those who apply for driver’s license because mandatory drug testing is “ineffective and not conclusive.”

“Mas maigi if random, may mahuhuli talaga na mga drug addicts kasi hindi makapaghahanda. Random drug test is always better,” Sotto said in a recent press conference at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino organized by DDB vice chairman Paul Oaminal.

He cited a report from the Department of Health which showed that from 2003 to 2007 there were no less than 14 million individuals who applied for driver’s license and underwent drug testing.

However, Sotto said that out of the 14 million, only 0.06 percent of it were found positive of illegal drugs.

“These drug testing centers, are they for illegal drug removal in the country? They are not being supportive. Business lang naman talaga ang concern nila,” Sotto said.

According to him, mandatory drug testing is just a waste of money and an additional burden to the Filipinos especially to those who are indigents.

Meanwhile, Sotto asked Police Regional Office Director Ronald Roderos, who was also present during the press conference, to implement in Cebu the Drug Abuse Resistance Education.

DARE is a two-week 10-lesson program that trains police officers how to bring awareness to the fifth and sixth grade pupils about the effects of illegal drug abuse.

“Even if we collect all marijuana, shabu, ecstasy, cocaine and put these in an island then bomb it, tomorrow there’s still drugs because there are drug users, pushers, and drug traders. We really have to stop and remove drug dependence,” Sotto said. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)