Buhisan worker tested positive for drug use

CEBU, Philippines - Two months after officials and employees of Barangay Buhisan tested negative in a random drug test, personnel of the City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention returned on Friday for another round of surprise drug test.

One of the seven employees subjected to the test was found positive for drug use prompting COSAP head Alice Utlang to remove Buhisan from the list of barangays previously declared as “drug free” work place.

The barangays in Cebu City that are still considered “drug free” are Taptap, Talamban, Pulangbato, Agsungot, Lusaran, Tabunan, and Budlaan.

Utlang explained that the declaration does not mean that these barangays are not facing drug problem. She said it only mean that none of its officials and employees are found positive during a surprise drug test.

“Kadtong mga barangay nga walay na-positive sa surprise drug testing, amo kadtong pakalitan paghimo og mga random drug test in coordination gihapon sa ilang mga barangay captain,” said Utlang.

Sources said that a drug user may not be tested positive of shabu by mere urine test if he or she had stopped using illegal drugs three days before the drug test.

Medical experts said blood test is more accurate than urine test but the procedure is more expensive.

Having a blood test to determine drug use is not very common, but it said to be very costly. This test is usually conducted for insurance policies or if a person is seeking employment where safety issues are mandatory.  (FREEMAN)