Pubdate: Sun, 09 Mar 2003
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2003, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Joshua Dancel, Reporter

SEN BARBERS URGES DOH: CHANGE DRUG TEST RULES

Sen. Robert Barbers threatened yesterday to sue officials of the
Department of Health if they refuse to revise the implementing
regulations of the mandatory drug testing for drivers applying for
licenses.

Barbers, chairman of the Oversight Committee and the Senate Committee
on Public Order and Illegal Drugs, said the panel could recommend the
filing of administrative and criminal charges against Health Secretary
Manuel Dayrit and other health officials for failing to correct the
"flawed" regulations.

"True, they need money, but that doesn't excuse them from violating
the law and their regulations go against the law," Barbers said. "If
they refuse to change their regulations and implement them, the
committee will recommend charging them administratively because they
are condoning a violation of the law."

Dayrit has acknowledged that the means of determining if applicants
for driver's licenses are drug users is flawed, but said the health
department is powerless to correct it for lack of funds.

Complaints are mounting before the Oversight Committee about the
flawed regulations.

Contrary to legal requirements for the best technology to use, the
drug test supposedly uses substandard equipment that gives inaccurate
results.

The department's regulations also downgraded the status of
confirmatory tests as required by the Dangerous Drugs Act and exempted
from accreditation medical clinics that give physical examinations for
overseas workers.

"If the executive is implementing something that is against the law,
then he is liable to administrative charges and we will recommend
that," Barbers said.
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MAP posted-by: Derek