DRUG TEST CENTER OKAYED ON SECOND READING

THE City Council has approved on second reading the proposed ordinance of
Vice Mayor Betty Lourdes Tabanda for the establishment of a drug-testing
center at the Baguio Health Department.

The measure also seeks the appropriation of P200,000 for the facilities of
the center.

BHD public health laboratory head Dr. Zoraida Clavio who represented city
health officer Dr. Florence Reyes clarified before the body that the
testing center will be put under the clinical chemistry section of the
department with one personnel to be assigned to facilitate the tests.

The body agreed to approve a separate ordinance that will spell out
guidelines in the collection of fees for the use of the facility subject to
public hearing.

Tabanda, in her proposed measure, noted the need to have a public
drug-testing center in the city in face of the worsening drug problem
afflicting the city's barangays and schools.

"The high migration rate of the city pegged at 4.1 percent in 2001, highest
in the country, has been a great factor in the increase of drug cases in
the city both in the supply and demand side, coupled with the fact that the
best variety of marijuana is produced in the region," Tabanda said adding
that the most commonly abused drug in the city is shabu followed by
marijuana and volatile substances.

She said that in seminars conducted by the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, it
was brought out that barangay officials have been seeking to submit some
constituents to rehabilitation centers but were hindered by the requirement
of a drug test conducted by a physician who is accredited by the Dangerous
Drug Board. In the city, Dr. Clavio is a DDB accredited physician.

Tabanda said drug tests are also required in applying for driver's licenses
and in hiring of new employees thus, the need to establish one at the BHD.

Tabanda's measure was endorsed by the CADAC through Resolution 2-01
approved by CADAC chair Mayor Bernardo Vergara.

It will have to be approved on third and final reading in next Wednesday's
regular session.