Six-hundred sixty-four Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency personnel were tested negative for illegal drugs as the agency continues to ensure that drug users have no place in the government service.
PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino explained that urine samples were taken from key PDEA officials and other employees.
He noted that surprise drug tests will be taken regularly as part of the agency’s relentless housecleaning efforts against illegal drug use.
Employees that yielded negative drug results include drug enforcement officers, administrative and technical personnel, contractual employees, and security and maintenance men.
The surprise drug tests were conducted last Thursday.
“The surprise mandatory drug test is done once to twice a year, or even more, when there is reasonable suspicion of drug use by PDEA personnel. This is the second mandatory drug test for calendar year 2019. The first was done on Jan. 18, 2019,” Aquino said.
The test was administered pursuant to Section 36 (e), Article 3, of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which states that officers and members of the military, police, and other law enforcement agencies shall undergo an annual mandatory drug test.
Aquino said the drug test was also conducted in accordance with the drug-free workplace policy of the agency.
“PDEA must be drug-free. It should be because we are the prime implementers of the anti-drug law. It establishes our credibility and moral ascendancy to lead the national anti-drug campaign,” the PDEA chief said. (Chito Chavez)