Pubdate: Sun, 23 Jun 2013
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2013, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Jefferson Antiporda

DRUG TEST FOR DRIVING LICENSE APPLICANTS A WASTE OF MONEY - SOTTO

The mandatory drug testing for applicants of driver's licenses is an 
added financial burden to responsible motorists and a failed 
anti-drug campaign of the government, Sen. Vicente Sotto 3rd said Sunday.

Sotto, who authored the Senate's version of the anti-drunk and 
drugged driving act which was recently signed by President Benigno 
Aquino 3rd, made the observation following the pronouncement of Land 
Transportation Office (LTO) chief Virginia Torres that the agency 
will retain the drug testing requirement for driver's license applicants.

Sotto said the enactment of Republic Act No. 10586 or the Anti-Drunk 
and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 has revoked an inutile provision in 
the Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 which required mandatory drug testing 
for drivers' license applicants.

Sotto was referring to subparagraph (a) of Section 36 of Republic Act 
No. 9165 which states that "no driver's license shall be issued or 
renewed to any person unless he/she presents a certification that 
he/she has undergone a mandatory drug test and indicating thereon 
that he/she is free from the use of dangerous drugs;"

Sotto said it is clear that RA 10586 scraps the provision requiring 
drivers to undergo mandatory drug testing.

He said the drug test has become a waste of money for motorists as 
well as an ineffective requirement, citing data from the Department 
of Health and the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Data showed that out of millions driver's license applicants tested a 
mere 0.06 percent tested positive for drugs from 2002 to 2010.

Sotto attributed the low figure to the fact that drug users already 
know what to do to pass the drug test.

Another reason is that accredited drug testing centers do not have 
the kits capable of tracing high-end drugs like cocaine, ketamine, 
Ecstasy and heroin. The centers can only detect marijuana and 
methamphetamine from urine samples.

There are also drug testing centers which do not require applicants 
to personally take the test in exchange for a bribe.

"The increasing number of vehicular accidents and road mishaps 
involving drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs refute the 
low positive results," Sotto said.

He made it clear that the enactment of RA 10586 will not totally 
scrap the drug testing requirement although it would now be on a case 
to case basis.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom