Saying it is an effective part of a one-two punch against the drug menace, opposition Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson threw his support Thursday behind government plans to conduct random drug testing. 

Lacson, a former Philippine National Police chief, said random drug testing should bring down demand for drugs by discouraging its use, especially among students and youths.

“Random drug testing will eventually constrict the market for illegal drugs, thus adversely affecting the supply and its manufacturers. It is likewise so provided under the Dangerous Drugs Act as amended,” he said.

He said that when he headed the PNP, he adopted a two-pronged strategy to combat the drug menace – reducing demand and constricting supply.

Under the strategy, while law enforcers go after big-time drug dealers and their suppliers, they will also mount efforts to discourage people from using drugs.

“(Thus), random drug testing is one effective component of a longstanding two-pronged strategy in combating the drug menace in the country, namely the demand reduction aspect,” he said.

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