Seven months, 42 drug users

CEBU, Philippines - Seven months of surprise drug tests have led to the identification of 42 illegal drug users among Cebu City Hall employees.

The Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention said that of the 858 employees they tested from January to July this year, around 5 percent, who came from 15 City Hall departments, were confirmed as users of illegal substance.

These individuals either confessed beforehand or were discovered after the drug screening.

“We want to help the city employees by conducting drug tests. With early detection, we can intervene through our We Care (rehabilitation) program as recommended by the HDRO (Human Resource and Development Office),” said COSAP Chief Alice Utlang.

Mayor Michael Rama, however, said knowing the exact number is insignificant as what matters most are the interventions provided to those employees victimized by the use of dangerous substance.

He assured that the city government has been acting on and assisting the identified drug users, stressing the need to address the problem.

Meanwhile, 120 faculty personnel of Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial High School submitted themselves to a surprise drug test yesterday.

Following the Department of Education approval for drug testing, Gothong is the third public school that implemented the drug test after Talamban National High School and Abellana National School. — (FREEMAN)