Thu, 20 Apr 2000

Officials fail drug tests

SURABAYA: At least four officials in the provincial administration here have tested positive for morphine use.

Provincial secretary Soenarjo said on Wednesday the four were among 323 officials from fourth to first echelons who underwent urine tests at the Dr. Soetomo Hospital on Monday.

He would not identify the officials, but said that two of them were from the second echelon and the others from the fourth.

A source told The Jakarta Post that traces of illegal drugs were found in the urine samples belonging to 10 officials.

Soenarjo said the four officials would be questioned to cross check the findings. "Perhaps they consumed the morphine upon doctor's prescription," he said.

Drug abuse carries punishments ranging from reprimand to dismissal, according to Soenarjo.

Officials in all regencies and mayoralties are subject to the tests which were ordered by Governor Imam Utomo.

The governor and his three deputies were exempted from the tests. Soenarjo said the top officials had already undergone similar tests but the results would not be announced. (08/nur)