Mandatory dope test in the government service: a commendable approach
Sumaiya Sarwat writes for DOT :
Recently a set of directives was made by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, following the decision of the High Court Division and the issuance of circular by the Director (Administration), making it mandatory that every person must face a dope test before being appointed in any government service. The circular specifically provided that the recruitment process should include a dope test. It also included that, after the initial health check-up the report of the test will be moved to the director (hospitals and clinics) of the Health Directorate. Before, the appointment procedure in the government services required a primary health examination which included a written and oral examination. But now by this circular, the health examination procedure and reports will be more reliable and easier to monitor. Usually dope tests were conducted for determining whether an athlete or sportsman is taking performance-enhancing drugs or not. But now after finding the authenticity of allegations that governments employees including police, public administration officers and employees of different educational institutions are taking illegal drugs the Home Ministry made the provision of mandatory dope test in all government recruitments. This decision is no doubt an effective and time consuming step by the government from various perspectives. On one hand it will help to reduce the rate of drug addicted employees in government sectors on the other hand it will encourage the youths to free themselves from the grasps of the harmful drags. Ultimately, it will result a remarkable fall of the illegal drug dealing in our country. Moreover this step will help to eradicate the negative impacts caused by drug consumption. For example, in workplace drug consumption may have adverse impacts on the work performance, environment and safety causing slower output and productivity. In addition one of the main causes behind the cases of accidents and abuse in different workplaces are intoxication of employees and workers caused by drug addiction. Most importantly it will bring positive changes in maintaining a healthy working environment in work places. Steps should also be taken by the stakeholders to make effective regulations confirming dope test in the recruitments from the top to bottom in other non-governmental, autonomous, private, commercial, corporate and industrial sectors as well, to ensure high performance, productivity rate, safety and overall development.
The writer is a Research Assistant, BILIA