Pubdate: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2003, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 BETTER DRUG TESTS NEEDED SENATE Majority Leader Loren Legarda has urged the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to move quickly in restoring the integrity of its drug screening system for drivers applying for a license. "We must stress that it is crucially important for the screening system to succeed. The fewer drug-crazed drivers we have, the safer our streets are," Legarda said. The LTO recently uncovered 5,242 "defective" drug test results that were either fabricated, tampered with or did not have the requisite verification code. According to Transportation Assistant Secretary Roberto Lastimoso, many of the irregularities were committed in private drug testing centers accredited by the LTO. He said 200 of the 589 LTO-certified private drug-testing facilities are now under investigation because of the irregularities. Out of 1,132,688 license applicants in the first eight months of the LTO's drug screening program, 8,549 or less than one percent tested positive for doping nationwide. Nearly half of those found positive for drug use were applicants in the National Capital Region. Of the 390,448 applicants in Metro Manila, 4,139 or over 10 percent tested positive for shabu, marijuana or both substances. "These figures suggest that at least one out of every 10 drivers in Metro Manila is probably hooked on drugs. We can just imagine the grave risks they pose to road safety and public order," Legarda said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake