LOCAL OFFICIALS, WORKERS UNDERWENT DRUG TESTS

APALIT -- Elected officials, department heads, and employees of the
Municipal Government here have subjected themselves to voluntary drug
testing as part of the town's campaign against illegal drugs.

All local officials and employees tested negative for illegal
drugs.

Local officials here recently launched the "Apalit Ayaw sa Adik!"
campaign through a motorcade, anti-drug seminars and related
information drives in 12 villages here.

Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr. on Monday said that since he assumed his post
here last year, About 24 drug pushers have been apprehended and
charged in court.

"Here in Apalit we have started the crusade against pushers, and now
against users. As long as it's illegal, we don't want it in our town,
especially illegal drugs, as this destroys our youth," he said.

Tetangco said a massive information campaign on the ill effects of
illegal drugs was conducted with the help of the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and local police in schools here to warn
students against shabu and marijuana.

Concerned citizens can also call the local police or even text the
mayor's office for any information on pushers and users in their
areas, adding that the source of the information will remain anonymous.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Peter Nucom said the Municipal Council has
allotted a fund for the rehabilitation of users, saying one of the
mayor's crusades is "to jail the pushers and save the users."

According to him, almost 95 percent of drug pushers here have already
been "neutralized" and that only a handful of drug users remain here.

Families of drug dependents can get in touch with the police or the
mayor's office if they have any concern related to drug dependency,
adding that the local government is always willing to assist for the
rehabilitation of users, since they are considered victims of illegal
drugs.

Councilor Jun Sigua said the local police have been given a mobile
patrol car, firearms and communication equipment for maintaining peace
and order.