Guevarra supports policy on dismissal of gov’t men tested positive for drugs

ustice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has expressed support to the stance of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to implement a “one-strike” policy on the dismissal of all government officials and personnel who will be found positive with illegal drugs use.

“I agree that a government official found positive for illegal drugs should be dismissed,” Guevarra told reporters.

“The government campaign against illegal drugs should include, first and foremost, its own ranks,” he pointed out.

The secretary explained that since drug use is a criminal offense “any government official found guilty of a criminal offense, malversation, for example, is also administratively liable.”

Recently, Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Catalino Cuy declared that the government should impose a one-strike policy over the dismissal of government personnel who will test positive for drug use even if it is just a first offense.

“We are standing our ground. It’s a DDB regulation and we wanted to be strict with government officials,” he said.

However, at the moment, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has an existing policy to place under treatment and rehabilitation those who are tested positive for illegal drug use.

At the moment, the DBB and CSC have agreed to impose a one-strike police against uniformed personnel including those from the policy, military and other law enforcement agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).