DDB URGES DRUG TEST FOR MEDIA MEN

Officials of the Dangerous Drug Board urged yesterday members of
various media associations to undergo drug test.

DDB executive director Jose Calida said the agency is willing to
conduct the procedure free of charge.

Although the process is not mandatory, Calida explained media men
could use the opportunity to prove that they are clean of shabu and
other regulated drugs.

He said the process should not also be mistaken as a violation of
one's right to privacy.

"Media practitioners, particularly those opposing the procedure,
should view the process as more of an advantage on their part. For
one, they could prove that they are clean of illegal drugs and this
definitely would make their families happy," he said.

Calida added that he is also aware that several media men are not
regular employees who receive fixed income from their
publications.

He said not all publications require their employees to undergo
regular drug test thus the procedure would help those who want to be
tested for drugs but have no money to spend for it.

Under the "Barkadahan Laban sa Droga", scheme, Francis Naguit,
president of the WPD Press Corps., said he would urge reporters
covering the WPD beat to support the move.

"Okey sa atin ang proyektong ito. 'Yung iba lang naman na gumagamit ng
droga ang tiyak na aalma sa proyektong ito kasi takot silang mabuko,"
Naguit said.