DRUG TEST: A CURE?

For so long a time now, television, radio and newspaper have been filled with the drug related crimes. Rape, violence and murders of today are so extraordinarily brutal because the authorities feel that the assailants are drug addicts. It is worrisome that a great percentage of the youth today indulge in illegal drugs. Just go to the street and one will see the lifestyle of our teenagers. Can they lead other youths in nation building?

In mid October, the youth will troop to the polling centers to elect the members of the Sangguniang Kabataan. This is the youth legislature in every ‘barangay’ that will initiate policies, programs, resolution and projects for the development of the youth in their barangay. This council requires great responsibility, wisdom and knowledge as the future of their young constituents are at stake. It is imperative therefore that this leaders can assume their role with outmost brilliance and concern for their peers.

Nowadays, the youth is engage in nefarious activities and vices. The young electorate should filter and weed out unqualified candidates as the role they will take is so important that a mistake in decision may be detrimental to the affairs of the youth. One way of excluding inutile candidates is by drug test. All those found with positive results should automatically be disqualified because it shows that they can be weak leaders as they cannot stand for legal situation. Candpidates should be tested for intake of illegal drugs. Being the head of the Sangguniang Kabataan one’s conscience should be clear. One’s mind should be open and receptive to reforms. How can a drug dependent leader institute reforms? It is better to identify one drug dependent through  a drug test before an election rather that the whole future of the youth be sacrificed. 

While drug test seems to curtail one’s freedom or right to be elected, any candidate should subject himself to this kind of test. It will affirm your courage to lead. It will show your sincerity to lead. It will present himself to the electorate as dedicated and concerned with the youth as a part of nation builders.