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Philippines: Random drug testing for bus drivers conducted in Leyte

Philappine Star

Tuesday 19 Apr 2011

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines -- More than 50 drivers of public utility vehicles underwent drug testing administered by joint elements of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Tacloban City since yesterday.

The random drug tests were conducted at Imelda Village checkpoint along Maharlika Highway as part of the Oplan Mahal na Araw (Oplan Holy Week) project.

Of the 50, five tested positive for the presence of either methamphetamines or tetrahydrocannabinol, said Ms. Liza Baoy, PDEA information Officer. Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant, and the active ingredient in "shabu".

Tetrahydrocannabinol is present in blood samples of users of Cannabis sativa or marijuana.

The project is under LTO's Lakbay Alalay program, that aims to ensure the safe travel of the riding public during the Holy Week.

The Laboratory Service chemist from PDEA VII clarified that although positive, "this does not necessarily mean that the drivers thus tested indeed use dangerous drugs. Sometimes, samples give false positive test results due to various reasons."

He said that the samples that tested positive will be sent to the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City for confirmatory testing.

PDEA VIII Regional Director Julius R. Navales said that confirmatory tests use reagents that are highly specific and will give a positive finding only if methamphetamines or tetrahydrocannabinol are present in the samples.

Navales said that the LTO will be responsible for penalizing the drivers who tested positive for use of illegal drugs.(PNA)


http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=678403&publicationSubCategoryId=200

 

 

 

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