Local officials involved in anti-illegal drugs campaign of Negros Oriental are calling for random drug testing on government employees in the local government units and national government agencies here.

Provincial Police Director Rey Lawas appealed to mayors and government agency chiefs to make government employees undergo random drug tests to weed out drug users among state workers.

Lawas said that he has received reports that some doctors, attorneys and even hospital staff, are involved in the illegal drugs trade, either as users or pushers.

The provincial police office has included 145 individuals in the province are in its “target list” of those confirmed and validated to be engaged in illegal drugs activities.

“There are 246 more in our watchlist, of persons reported to be involved in illegal drugs operations but this has not been validated and confirmed yet” Lawas said during the forum held at Plaza Ma. Luisa Suites Inn with local government and non-government agency information officers in attendance.

The provincial police office conducts compulsory surprise drug tests for its personnel every six months, and this led to three cops testing positive and now facing administrative and criminal charges, either as drug users or a drug pushers.

Lawas said the city governments of Dumaguete and Bayawan have already set in place moves to make their employees undergo drug testing. “I hope the other local government units will also follow suit,” he said.*RG

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