Surprise drug test
MATANAO, Davao del Sur - Over 300 drug users from the 33 barangays of this town, who surrendered to authorities since last year underwent a surprise drug test here Tuesday to prove that they have reformed their lives.
Raymond Olivo, officer of the interior and local government, said the surprise drug test was initiated by Mayor Vincent Fernandez with the help of the local police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (Pdea).
Olivo said drug surrenderers also undergo basic rehabilitation program and will be graduating on June 21.
They also submitted their urine samples to Pdea personnel inside the Matanao gymnasium to prove they have abandoned the use of illegal drugs.
“I want them to be sincere in the rehabilitation because I want to help them live normal lives. We will continue monitoring their condition. That is why I recommend this random drug test to see if they really want to change,” he said.
Senior Inspector Renato Uy, town’s police chief, said the drug test was a joint effort of the local government and DILG.
In Davao del Sur, only Matanao has declared that they are a ‘drug-free municipality.’ “That is why we are monitoring drug peddlers from other places who want to deal here,” he said.
Uy said members of the Drug Abuse Council (Badac) contributed a lot in solving drug menace in their town.
He added all surrenderers also undergo moral recovery program by pastors of different religious groups. Orlando B. Dinoy