Officials fail drug tests

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)