Drug testing program for drivers suspended

The re-implementation of the government’s drug-testing program for motorists scheduled Monday has been suspended anew because of insufficient drug testing laboratories.

This was announced by Transportation Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez who said there are not enough laboratories to examine motorists for drug abuse. "There were reports from the regions that they are not yet ready to implement the program. They are lacking in drug testing centers," Alvarez noted in a press briefing.

The program was first implemented in November 1999 to minimize drug-related traffic accidents. Under the program, each motorist must undergo a drug test when applying for or when renewing his driver’s licenses.

After a month, the program was shelved for lack of clinics that could examine some two million holders of professional and non-professional driver’s licenses.

To address the problem, the transportation department had decided to accredit private laboratories to participate in the campaign.

But according to Alvarez, not many private clinics have applied for accreditation.

"I don’t know why but only a few private laboratories have applied for accreditation. Even if this program is good, we cannot force the private sector to operate a drug-testing center," he added.

Under the plan, Alvarez said, each license-issuing office of the Land Transportation Office must have an accredited laboratory for the program to succeed.

"If we have enough laboratories in Metro Manila and none in some provinces, motorists will only go to the areas where they will not be tested for drugs. It will defeat the purpose of the program," he pointed out. – Sheila Crisostomo