The Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) has temporarily suspended the driving licenses of two bus drivers who tested positive for the use of controlled substances. They tested positive for marijuana during a mandatory drug test conducted by the regional RSTA officials recently.
The test, according to the authority is to ensure safety on road for drivers and other road users.
The authority has conducted the test on two highways, Monggar and Trashigang. Around a hundred public transport drivers were tested of which two tested positive for abuse of drugs.
They were required to provide their urine samples. The test was done with a test kit which detects about ten different types of drugs, including marijuana, ketamine, cocaine and tramadol among others. And the results were shown within three to five minutes.
According to the authority, the two drivers will be handed over to the Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority (BNCA) for treatment or any other necessary actions. The re-issuance of the license will depend on the certificate issued by a BNCA certified rehabilitation centre.
The RSTA has plans to carry out random drug test for all the drivers as well.
Pema Seldon Tshering
