JUNK DRUG TESTING FOR DRIVER'S LICENSE

Demand And Supply

Now that we have a new boss at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) it is
time that some of the actions of the past director be reviewed. One good
example of an innovation that must be junked is the requirement for those
applying for a driver's license to go through a drug test. This is an
unabashed conspiracy to defraud the public of money for no good reason.
This drug test is definitely not going to accomplish its purpose, anyway.

This thought came to mind as I saw a news clip on television one night last
week showing the new LTO chief warning the drug test clinics to clean up
their act or else... Apparently, they have discovered anomalies committed
in the drug test procedure so soon after it was initiated. If the TV news
story is to be believed, these anomalies include among others, substitution
of results or urine specimen or both. In other words, if you are a drug
user, you can pay your way towards getting an all-clear report.

Actually, the concept of drug testing itself is flawed from the start. This
is not a cost efficient way of weeding out drug addicts among our drivers.
This is just a way to make money, lots of money on the drug test itself. If
the LTO officials are really sincere, the requirement should be selectively
implemented to cover drivers who are caught by traffic cops in so called
"moving violations." The penalty may include the drug test.

If they want to be really cost effective, they should start with the bus
drivers on EDSA who violate every rule in the traffic code every minute of
the day. The way those drivers drive, they have to be on drugs. At night,
they can also go to Libis and other areas where drag racing is held during
the wee hours of the night. But it makes absolutely no sense to make
ordinary law abiding drivers go through the expense and the waste of time
just so some bureaucrat at LTO and his friends can make a fast buck.

General Lastimoso as a former police officer, must surely know the real
score and will decide to spare the innocent from the inconvenience.
Somebody must be on the take in this drug test requirement. It is much too
obvious simply because this is a useless exercise. This is rent-seeking,
plain and simple.