Ex-Cebu City Hall worker to seek re-employment

AFTER testing positive for drug use, and coming out clean after undergoing a three-month rehabilitation program, a former Cebu City Hall employee said that enrolling in the program offered by the City Government has changed his life.

“I have learned many things that I also would like to share to those who are still into drugs,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.

The 41-year-old former City Hall worker, who requested anonymity, was one of the two employees who underwent and completed an out-patient rehabilitation program for drug users under the City Government’s Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (Cosap).

In November last year, Cosap conducted a random drug test to some City Hall personnel, where the 41-year-old man was among the two employees that tested positive.

Cosap Chief Alice Utlang said her office had asked those who were found positive of drug use to submit themselves to the “We Care,” a drug rehabilitation program offered by the City Government.

“Because they tested positive, they were already out in the City Government but they were promised that as long as they will pass or they can show proof that they enrolled in the program, there is a possibility that they could go back to work because they have good performance record,” said Utlang.

Since November, those who were found positive in the drug test were advised to resign.

Utlang said that some 70 individuals, including City Hall and barangay workers, and students, are currently undergoing the rehabilitation program.

The former City Hall worker said that using illegal drugs had cost him his job, and he hopes that he would still be given another chance to work again.

Next week, he will try his luck by submitting his application letter to City Hall, after claiming his certificate of completion from Cosap.