ARE YOU ON DRUGS?!

There's a Doc in the House!
The Writers Guild takes advantage of several physicians working as SPi employees.

Doc, last month I was made to have my urine sample taken by my supervisor. I was told that it was a randomized drug testing procedure. Is this legal, and if yes, is it really required in the workplace?

Did you feel guilty the moment you were asked to take the test? :-) Yes, randomized drug testing in the workplace is legal. This is required by Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The implementing guidelines in companies like SPi are based on DOLE Department Order 50-03, s. of 2003. Why is it required? Well, what can I say? It’s to keep the workplace drug free! Rest assured, however, that the results are confidential.

How true is the notion that most criminals we see on television “are on drugs?”

Let’s not generalize the population in the National Penitentiary. Some if not most of its inhabitants are not there because of drugs. To loosely use the term "criminals" would also include not only those in jail caught for use and possession of addictive drugs but also the police and the politicians. However, it is safe to say that most people you see on TV are on drugs especially the actors and actresses who wash their dirty linens in public. After all, who in their right minds would do that if they are not on drugs?

What are ‘uppers” and “downers”?

Uppers are any prescription or non prescription substance that is a CNS (Central Nervous System) stimulant, a common physical side effect of uppers are increased heart rate, anxiety, tingling and feeling buzzed.

Drugs such as amphetamines (speed), methamphetamines (shabu), ecstasy, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are examples of these.

Downers are any prescription substance that is a CNS retardant. The common physical side effects of downers are decreased heart rate, feeling stoned, sedation, little or no reflexes, examples of these are barbiturates (tranquilizers), marijuana (hash), and opiates. Although I cannot fathom the reason as to why people would deliberately try to mush their brains when there are easier ways of getting those same feeling, you can also try some sports. When your credit card bill is due and it is enough to make you feel down, try resolving it by eating that ice cream flavor you been craving for to give you the "high" you badly need.


ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTOR
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Dr. Jeanette Agati attended University of Sto. Tomas’ Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, and trained at the Research Center for Tropical Medicine (RITM). She currently is with HDI.

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DID YOU KNOW? SPi’s clinic is open 24 hours. Our resident physician is Geraldine Olarte, MD. She’s in the clinic between 8Am – 4PM. She is assisted by our friendly registered nurses Ladie Generales, Shirley Dar Juan, and Rio Tantiangco.