29K state employees apply for addiction treatment as date for termination in case of drug abuse looms

CAIRO – 19 August 2021: More than 29,000 state employees have applied for addiction treatment and have been distributed amongst public hospitals.

According to Hassan Harak, head of the Testing Unit at the Addiction Treatment and Abuse Fund, the turnout on treatment has increased by over 150 percent. Harak told CBC channel on Wednesday that the unit takes samples from 1,500-2,000 employees everyday across the country unanticipatedly.

Any employee who tests positive for drug abuse are penalized but not to the extent of termination. However, any employee who tests positive after September 21, 2021, will be terminated per the law.

If an employee applies for treatment before being tested will not be penalized and will receive free treatment. Further, his identity and data will not be disclosed at his workplace.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, the unit takes samples from drivers at some 26 locations on roads, and everyday 1,500-1,800 drivers are rested every day, Harak said.

The Addiction Treatment and Abuse Fund provides services in 29 locations in Egypt, Harak said, adding that once the academic years begins, school bus drivers will also be tested daily according to a certain timetable.