2,000 FLUNK DRUG TESTS FOR DRIVERS

About 2,000 applicants for a driver's license in Metro Manila flunked drug
tests mandated by the Land Transportation Office last October, according to
records of the Dangerous Drug Board.

"The figures involved drug tests conducted only in the National Capital
Region in October 2001 alone," Dr. Carlito Cubelo of the DDB said.

Cubelo said the DDB was still collating figures for the succeeding months.
"Even so, the October data indicates how serious the drug problem has
become," he said.

According to estimates of the Philippine National Police, there are at
present 2 million drug users in the country.

To curb the drug problem, the LTO last October started to require all
applicants for a driver's license to undergo drug tests.

LTO chief Roberto Lastimoso said he would push for stricter penalties for
license applicants found positive for drug use.

Under existing regulations, the LTO merely refers an applicant who tests
positive for drug use to concerned government agencies for counseling and
rehabilitation.

"After rehab, an applicant may reapply for a driver's license," said
Lastimoso, a former PNP chief.

The Dangerous Drugs Act punishes not only pushers but also users. "So if
our office finds anybody positive for drug use, it should be our
responsibility to report him/her to authorities," Lastimoso said.

The Senate and House of Representatives are expected to come out soon with
amendments to the anti-drugs law imposing harsher penalties for offenders.