SOME DRUG TESTING CENTERS ARE FAKE

FIASCO. The drug test requirement before a driver could apply for a new
license or renew it is a big flop. It is good that Land Transportation
Office 7 Regional Director Porferio Mendoza has started to purge some
undesirable drug testing centers.

I received information that some of the accredited drug testing centers are
a big fraud. A tennis mate, who recently renewed his driver's license, said
he was surprised when the drug testing center he went to gave the
examination result of his urine in just a few minutes.

The examination of his eyes was quickly done even if he could not see from
a distance without his glasses. He said he is near-sighted and at the time
of the examination he forgot to bring his eyeglasses.

The report that those with drug records or history of being a drug user
were given a passing rate in their drug test result has some truth to it.
It is even possible that someone takes the test on behalf of another who
may be a drug user.

The intention of having drug testing centers may be good as it creates
jobs. However, it failed to achieve the intended result. This job can be
easily done by the government's health centers.

I now suspect that these drug testing centers were established in order to
do away with the government health center, which is strict in issuing the
medical certificates to applicants for driver's license.

Marilou, who is with Mandaue City Health Center, on several occasions,
recommended the non-issuance of the driver's license because some of the
applicants do not know how to read traffic signs and distinguish the color
of the traffic lights.

If I may, Director Mendoza should not only check which drug testing center
has complied with the requirements but also recommend to Assistant
Transportation Secretary Roberto Lastimoso a total review of this scheme.