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Revised workforce drug rehabilitation policy implemented

Employees found to have illicit drugs in government-administered tests will now get a chance for rehabilitation.

Employees of the Government found to be using illicit drugs are now offered a rehab stint as an...
Employees of the Government found to be using illicit drugs are now offered a rehab stint as an alternative to discipline

Revised workforce drug rehabilitation policy implemented

MANDAUGE CITY, PHILIPPINES — A significant shift in drug-related policies has been implemented in Mandaue City, departing from the previous one-strike policy. Under the new Enhanced Drug-Free Workplace Ordinance, government employees who test positive for illegal substances are now offered rehabilitation instead of immediate termination.

The new policy, in line with a recent Supreme Court mandate, considers substance use as a health issue requiring treatment, rather than solely a criminal act. This alignment with the court's ruling stemmed from a case involving a Muntinlupa City engineer, who was initially dismissed after testing positive twice for shabu but was later reinstated, citing the necessity of rehabilitation as a priority over punitive action.

"Dismissal will only be considered if the employee refuses to cooperate or fails the intervention program," said Ben Manzano, head of the Substance Abuse Mental Health and Services Office (Samsho) in Mandaue City.

Permanent employees, previously subjected to administrative sanctions regardless of the severity of drug use, will now undergo a drug dependency examination to determine the extent of their condition. Based on these findings, appropriate health intervention, rather than immediate punitive action, will be implemented.

This revision replaces the previous "one-strike policy," which led to the immediate termination of employees, particularly those on job order (JO) or contract of service status, after testing positive for drugs. Permanent employees, on the other hand, faced administrative sanctions, regardless of the seriousness of their drug use.

Mandaue City has already tested 239 employees this year, a significant increase from 182 in the same period last year. This rise is attributed to the return of drug test kits, which were in short supply last year. Notably, positive cases have decreased from 24 last year to eight this year within the same time frame.

The affected employees have admitted to using drugs to stay awake and energized during long work hours. They have been undergoing rehabilitation for the past six months, paying for the treatment themselves. The City continues to monitor their progress, providing a rehabilitation program that allows them to work in the morning and attend treatment in the evening.

While the new policy does not condone drug use, it focuses on treating substance use disorder as a mental health and medical issue. It does not, however, cover activities like pushing or selling drugs, which remain punishable under the law.

Random drug testing has resumed across City departments and barangays, ramping up since the temporary pause due to the shortage of kits. The City aims to cover all departments, offices, and barangays at least once every two years through rotation.

The drug-free workplace policy in Mandaue City, which went into effect in the early 2000s, has been updated, with the enhanced version being institutionalized only in 2025.

  1. The new Enhanced Drug-Free Workplace Ordinance in Mandaue City, following a Supreme Court mandate, considers substance use as a health issue requiring treatment, rather than solely a criminal act.
  2. Under the new policy, government employees who test positive for illegal substances are offered rehabilitation instead of immediate termination, with dismissal only considered if the employee refuses to cooperate or fails the intervention program.
  3. Permanent employees, previously subjected to administrative sanctions regardless of the severity of drug use, will now undergo a drug dependency examination to determine the extent of their condition and receive appropriate health intervention.
  4. The revised policy does not condone drug use, but it focuses on treating substance use disorder as a mental health and medical issue, excluding activities like pushing or selling drugs, which remain punishable under the law.
  5. Random drug testing has resumed in City departments and barangays, aiming to cover all departments, offices, and barangays at least once every two years through rotation, as part of the updated drug-free workplace policy in Mandaue City.

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