Story Links: http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92:afp-to-step-up-anti-drug-campaign-for-2014&catid=8&Itemid=435
e Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is increasing its
target recipients of random drug-tests by 20% this year.
Task Force Moses, the AFP’s anti-drug
body reports that in 2013 alone, 20,000 personnel were targeted for the
random drug-testing. Its operational arms, Task Group Jacob for General
Headquarters (GHQ), Unified Commands (UCs), and AFP-Wide Service Support
Units (AWSSUs) and TG Joshua for Philippine Air Force exceeded its
target of 4,000 each while TG Salamander for Philippine Navy achieved
about 30% of its 4,000 mark. Considering it has the most numbers of
members, TG Midas of Philippine Army targeted 8,000 recipients and as of
December 2013, it has achieved 83.6% of its target.
Out of the total personnel tested in the
past year, 113 personnel were confirmed positive. Of this number, 13
came from TG Jacob, 12 from TG Joshua, 18 from TG Salamander, and 70
from TG Midas.
A tabulation of the drug users also
shows a trend that the younger the individual, the greater the
susceptibility to drug use is: 5% are Staff Sergeant/Petty Officer 2;
12% are Sergeant/Petty Officer 3; 26% are Corporal/Airman 1st
Class/Seaman 1st Class; 51% are Private First Class/Airman 2nd
Class/Seaman 2nd Class; and 6% are Private/Airman/Seaman.
Despite this, TF Moses in its effort to
reach a wider audience and to deliver a more effective campaign is
stepping-up its information drive for a healthier, stronger and
drug-free AFP. Bracing for more challenges in the future, it has decided
to increase its target recipients of random drug testing by 20% for
this year.
Task Force Moses has also invested on
the training of its members for better and more accurate results in drug
testing which is why additional training for more number of personnel
is projected for 2014.
The year 2014 brings another year of
challenge to the task force’s commitment to get rid of illegal drug
users in the AFP. Cognizant of its accomplishment and aware of the task
ahead, TF Moses can say that much has been accomplished yet more is to
be done.
Regular mandatory and random drug
testing to officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees in the
AFP is part of the military’s campaign against drug-abuse. This drug
testing instantly identifies Methamphetamines and Cannabis from urine
samples submitted by the subjects. In case a subject was found positive
in the drug test, an immediate confirmatory test will then be carried
out in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. A confirmed drug-user
will then undergo an investigation.
The AFP will continue to do this to set
an example to our citizens against the use of illegal drugs. As
protector of the people we should always be in our best physical,
mental, and psychological condition in order to fully serve our
responsibilities.
AFP Websites
Links:
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