ONE of the 60 barangay captains who underwent a surprise drug test yesterday tested positive for illegal drug use.
Dr. Alice Utlang, executive director of the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention (Cosap), said the laboratory result of his urine sample confirmed this.
However, the result will still be subjected to a confirmatory exam, she said.
Referral
If the barangay captain still tests positive, Utlang said she will refer the matter to the Department of Interior and Local Government, since the latter is tasked to oversee officials.
A total of 71 barangay captains, some personnel under the Association of Barangay Council (ABC) and the chief of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) submitted themselves to a surprise drug test that was administered by Cosap yesterday.
Cosap conducted the test in time for the third quarterly assembly of all barangay captains held at the White Gold House yesterday.
Utlang said only 60 of the 80 barangay captains showed up test yesterday.
ABC President and Tisa Barangay Captain Philip Zafra, who had asked for the conduct of the surprise drug test, said those who didn’t attend had prior commitments.
Intervention programs
CCPO Director Senior Supt. Joel Doria also underwent the test, including 10 office staffs of the ABC.
Zafra said they’ve been wanting barangay officials to undergo a drug test to show they are serious in the campaign against illegal drugs and to make sure barangay officials are drug-free.
The drug test will also allow the ABC to help barangay officials who are drug users through several intervention programs offered by Cosap, Zafra said.
Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said he had no problem with the surprise drug test.
“We’ve been wanting to eliminate the drug problem in the barangays that’s why we are supportive of the surprise drug test,” Ayuman said.
Aside from testing for shabu use, yesterday’s activity will also test for the use of shabu, marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and opium.
Setting an example
With this development, Utlang said barangays should ask for the conduct of a surprise drug test for all their officials and employees.
Surprise drug tests have not been conducted in some barangays like Hipodromo, Day-as and T. Padilla since 2014.
“We encourage them to request for a drug test to show to their residents that officials and employees in the barangays are good examples,” Utlang said.
She also urged ABC to activate the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council in the 80 barangays.
