Cebu City Hall workers, officials to undergo drug testing

Cebu City Hall officials and employees will be required to undergo drug testing in the wake of a resolution approved by the City Council yesterday.

In yesterday’s regular session, the council approved a resolution sponsored by Councilor Ritchie Osmeña authorizing the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) and the City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention (COSAP) to conduct the drug testing.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said elected officials should “set the example” by undergoing drug tests.

But Mayor Michael Rama disagreed, saying it will not only be costly but will raise suspicions of drug use among officials.

“This is not good for the public officials. This will bring public officials to scrutiny. You can’t be put in a situation that will self-incriminate you,” he said.

While saying he isn’t against drug testing, Rama said this should be done at random to erase doubts of drug use among personnel of a certain government office.

An option is to request for an entrapment operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on suspected drug users, Rama said.

The mayor said it is easy to spot drug users without having to spend much on drug testing kits that cost P300 each.

He said drug users would often look uneasy and untidy for not bathing, with bulging eyes and incoherent talking.

Not all drug testing results are accurate, Rama said.

He cited an incident years ago in which City Hall employee Eddie Cabras was found positive for drug use.

Cabras was later on cleared of suspicions of drug use during the confirmatory testing. None of the city’s 16 councilors opposed the plan.

“No problem with me,” said Councilor Eugenio Gabuya.