Baguio City jail inmates to undergo random drug test

April 28, 2018 Metro BLISTT

Some Baguio City Jail Female Dorm (BCJFD) inmates will undergo the in-house random drug test next week.
BCJFD warden Jail Senior Inspector April Rose Ayangwa earlier said the random drug test was requested by their service provider during their summit. She said they requested for the drug test to be part of the second quarter activities for the inmates.
“We just finished our quarterly summit with our service providers and they suggested that we will be incorporating random drug test in all of our activity. Not only that they would want to know if our inmates are really free from illegal drugs but also to see their sincerity to change for the better,” Ayangwa said.
At present, BCJFD hosts at least 93 inmates, some with pending drug cases in courts. Aside from illegal drugs, other heinous and petty crimes were also among the violations of the female inmates. These cases are also pending in courts.
The warden said aside from the drug test, a symposium on the ill effects of illegal drugs and a surprise inspection (Galugad sa Selda) will also be conducted.
“As part of our standard operations procedure (SOP), our staff together with the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency-Cordillera (PDEA-CAR) will search for possible illegal drugs and other paraphernalia that are prohibited,” the warden said.
Ayangwa said they will use the proceeds of their commissary during the drug test.
Early this year, twenty other inmates from the female dorm, together with the staff and personnel of BCJFD also went through random drug test. All the inmates and BCJFD personnel who were tested posted negative results from abusing illegal substance.
Ayangwa explained that during the first drug test two personnel of BCJFD were absent; one was on maternity leave while the other was going through schooling. Ayangwa said that she will ask the two personnel to submit their selves for drug testing after their leave.
“We will be conducting the drug test with PDEA-CAR until all our staff and inmates are tested. I’m hoping that all of them will post negative results. However, if we will find anybody from our inmates or staff abusing or involved in illegal drugs, interventions and sanctions will be implemented,” Ayangwa stressed.
Aside from the drug test, several programs and activities were also lined up for this quarter to develop the overall well being of the female inmates. These include programs and activities on health, food, safety, education, livelihood, religion, and recreation.
The in-house random drug test is scheduled on Friday, May 4, for at least 20 female inmates. DIONISIO B. DENNIS JR. / ABN