6,000 civil servants to undergo urine tests

The Bengkulu administration has ordered around 6,000 government employees to undergo urine tests as part of the province’s efforts to fight drug abuse.

“The tests will be conducted in the near future, but we cannot disclose the definite date as it will adversely affect the results of the examination,” head of the provincial civil service bureau Syamsu Riduan said on Friday.

He added the program would cost the provincial government Rp 400 million. It should have taken place last year, but was cancelled due to financial constraints.

Bengkulu ranks 13th in the drug abuse incidence rate nationwide.

“Our latest data revealed 146 cases with 246 drug users, but we understand the figures are just a tip of an iceberg,” Syamsu said.

Government employees who test prositive for using drug may face dismissal.