DND conducts drug-free workplace seminar

The event’s theme is “A Drug-Free Defense is a Credible Defense” and was held at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club, Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, DND public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong said. (Photo: Department of National Defense – Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA— In line with the government’s ongoing anti-drug campaign, the Department of National Defense (DND) conducted an agency-wide orientation seminar workshop calling for a drug-free work place Tuesday.

The event’s theme is “A Drug-Free Defense is a Credible Defense” and was held at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club, Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, DND public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong said.

Resource speakers of the event were from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Dangerous Drugs Board, Department of Health, Civil Service Commission, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Among the topics discussed were Global and National Drug Situation; Government Efforts, Programs and Activities on Drug Prevention and Control; Treatment and Rehabilitation; Guidelines for a Drug-Free Workplace; and the Reintegration and Transformation Program of the National Government.

As part of the DND-Wide Implementing Plan for Calendar Year (CY) 2017, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana signed a Memorandum to DND-Proper and its Bureaus last Jan. 29 directing the implementation of the Guidelines for a drug-free workplace, to include the conduct of mandatory drug test as a pre-employment requirement; random drug test for personnel; advocacy, education and training programs and activities; display of messages for a drug-free workplace; and physical fitness programs.

Andolong said the DND monitors the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations in support to the PDEA and the Philippine National Police.

It likewise supports the Inter-Agency Task Force for the establishment of Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers with the setting up of rehabilitation centers in certain military reservations.

A total of 30,974 military officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees of the AFP were subjected to drug testing for CY 2016 and an additional 1,821 were tested for the first quarter of 2017.

AFP personnel who tested positive for using prohibited drugs were discharged or dismissed from the service, which included one military officer, 64 enlisted personnel, 14 civilian active auxiliaries and 4 civilian employees for CY 2016 and nine enlisted personnel for 1st quarter of CY 2017.