Government forensic lab authorized to conduct drug testing

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 8, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Contrary to statements that only drug testing laboratories which have been accredited and monitored by the Department of Health, are the only ones allowed to do drug testing, government forensic laboratories are authorized by law to conduct the same.

This was the pronouncement of Police Superintendent Nicandro Canaleja who was guest during the Harampang Ha PIA media interaction conducted on October 4 at the Philippine Information Agency Regional Office.

Colonel Canaleja said that section 36 (g) of Republic Act 9165 better known as Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 provides that “authorized drug testing shall be done by any government forensic laboratories or by any drug testing laboratories accredited and monitored by the Department of Health to safeguard the quality of the test results.”

The issue on who may conduct the drug testing is rooted from the fact that the would-be candidates for the forthcoming synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections are required to undergo mandatory drug test.

There have been allegations that the PNP forensic laboratory is not authorized to conduct drug testing on the would-be candidates. This is what Col. Canaleja is trying to clarify because there are several Municipal election officers who do not accept the results from the forensic laboratory.

There are at least 170,000 who are expected to run in the forthcoming elections on October 29, in Region 8 alone. This means that the 32 DOH accredited will have their hands full.

With the help of a medical supplier, the PNP forensic lab has been conducting reach out activities in the various municipalities in the Region. It only charges P180.00 instead of the more expensive fee which the clients will pay when they go to drug testing centers.

Col. Canaleja said the fee is paid to the medical supplier and so the receipt is from the supplier.