6 hospital workers tested positive for drug use

CEBU, Philippines - Six out of the 37 provincial government employees assigned at the provincial hospital in Carcar City yesterday tested positive for shabu use du-ring a surprise drug test.

The screening was conducted by the Cebu Provincial Anti-drug Abuse Commission as part of its program and the pro-vince’s thrust to weed out drug users in the provincial government.

Joey Herrera, executive director of CPADAC, said he was saddened by the result because of the high percentage of those found positive for drug use. He added that a memorandum was sent for the 60 Capitol employees in the hospital but only 36 were present.

He explained that those who failed to attend were either on-leave or work in another shift. Herrera, however, made it clear that the results are still subject to a confirmatory test in a private laboratory.

Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 provides that any officer or employee found positive for dangerous drug use shall be dealt with administratively, the offense being a ground for suspension or termination, subject to the provisions of the Labor Code and the Civil Service Law.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III earlier warned Capitol emplo-yees that his administration is serious in his campaign to weed out drug users from the provincial government.

As of press time, a total of 15 Capitol employees have already been dismissed from service after they were tested positive for drug use. Herrera said that pending the result of the confirmatory test, sanctions could not be imposed on the six provincial hospital employees yet.

When asked if the six employees would be allowed to continue reporting to work pending the result of the confirmatory test, Herrera said he will discuss the matter today with the provincial administrator, lawyer Mark Tolentino.

“We have to discuss pa if the governor can act on the basis lang sa screening kay kinahanglan pa man gyud na og confirmatory test,” Herrera told The FREEMAN over the phone. — (FREEMAN)