COSAP Found Six Brgy. Workers Positive

Six more barangay workers had been found positive of illegal drugs when the personnel of Cebu City Office for Substance-Abused Prevention (COSAP) conducted a surprise drug test to the 95 workers of Barangay Lorega-San Miguel last Friday.

COSAP assistant chief Ernest Herrera III said Barangay Lorega-San Miguel has 104 employees, but only 95 of them showed up at the barangay hall when the drug testing was conducted.

Six of them were found positive of drug use.

Herrera said although only six barangay workers had been found positive of illegal drug use in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, it can be considered already as alarming.

“Ang mga government workers kinahanglan g’yud unta nga magtarong sila aron kapanaminan sila sa katarong,” he said.

Those who were tested positive of illegal drugs in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel includes one office staff, two tanods, one garbage loader, one drainage declogger and a Barangay Environmental Officer.

Dr. Alice Utlang, COSAP chief, said the total number of barangay workers that had been tested positive of illegal drugs as of last week had already reached 140, but only few of them had been dismissed from the service because some of the barangay captains gave them a chance to reform.

Four other barangay workers in Bulacao and seven in Barangay Inayawan were also tested positive of illegal drugs in a surprise drug test last Wednesday.

Before the COSAP personnel proceeded to Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, they had conducted drug screening to 59 workers of Barangay Parian, but none of them had been found positive of drugs.

“It’s very amazing nga walay bisan usa kanila nga na-positive kay ang Barangay Parian dia mahimutang sa central district sa siyudad, but sagdi lang, we will conduct random drug test to them anytime from now,” said Utlang.

Mayor Michael Rama said he wants all government workers who will be found positive of illegal drugs terminated from the service.