HR wants immediate drug test for House members

Rep. Teresita A. Santos (Ind-Saipan) is set to file a resolution urging all House of Representatives members to submit to a drug test.

Santos’ resolution comes in the wake of Rep. Raymond D. Palacios’ (Cov-Saipan) own admission to the media that he might have used drugs or might have gotten drugs for a family member in the past.

The still unnumbered House resolution calls for each member to submit to a drug test within 20 days and to “provide a copy of their drug test results, immediately upon receipt, to the [House] Speaker.”

Santos said the drug test will go a long way toward restoring the public’s confidence in their elected leaders and align lawmakers with constituents who are obliged to submit to a drug test prior to employment.

The resolution also read that “our elected leaders must be held to a higher standard and must be accountable for their contribution to the performance of the Legislature.and are looked upon as role models and should lead by example.”

The Senate already has a “Senate Fit For Work For Policy.” It calls for senators to submit themselves to a drug test within 90 days after the second Monday in January following a general election year.

When asked for comments about Palacios’ alleged admission of past drug use, press secretary Angel Demapan said it is the administration’s understanding that House Speaker Eli D. Cabrera (R-Saipan) will be convening a special committee on ethics to look into the matter.

“The special committee should be afforded the opportunity to conduct a prudent and thorough investigation of this matter. A public office is a public trust, therefore it is tremendously important to ensure that public servants uphold the highest standards and principles in order to govern and effectuate public policy for the common good of the people,” said Demapan.

Rep. Stanley M. Torres (Ind-Saipan), the author of a bill that seeks to legalize marijuana use for medicinal purpose in the CNMI, has himself come out in full support of drug testing.

“I’ve been doing that [drug testing] since the 12th Congress. I’ve been doing that every term voluntarily even before any challenge,” he said.

Torres does not advocate random testing as what other House member are suggesting; he wants all House members covered.

Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb (R-Saipan) said he supports Santos’ call. “I think that would be very good and I am 100 percent in support of that resolution. That’s only appropriate,” he said.

Cabrera has already beaten his fellow lawmakers to the punch, submitting to a drug test at the Diagnostic Laboratory Services yesterday morning. He said the test costs $52. Santos herself promised to undergo her own drug test today.