Baguio mayor nixes drug testing

BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr said during the weekly Ugnayang Panlunsod, Thursday, it is just right for a mandatory drug testing especially for those vying for an elected position in the government, driving license applicants and employment applicants.

According to the mayor, however, the government’s mandatory drug testing for students should be shifted to resolving tobacco and alcohol abuse among the youth.

“The number one abuse for students are tobacco and alcohol and this should be the focus of the program,” said Bautista.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Liza L. Maza said in a press release sent to the media, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s order for a random drug testing for secondary and tertiary students is illegal and an added burden to students and parents.

“Mandatory drug tests for students can and will violate the rights to privacy of minors and children. It may also entail unnecessary additional costs for parents at this time of financial and economic difficulty,” said Maza in the release.

Maza said the drug testing for students is unnecessary in the campaign against drugs.

Bautista, meanwhile reacted furiously to the media’s role in portraying the city as a drug haven, noting that the cause of this media play was just a P360 drug bust.

“I ask the media not to highlight statements or actions of the operatives that would generalize the situation,” ended Bautista. # Cye Reyes