FDCTA officials conduct drug screenings for school bus drivers
Those drivers have been terminated from their positions and referred to Public Prosecution for driving under the influence of drugs, the FDCTA added.
The screenings revealed that the drivers were under the influence of drugs such as cannabis, morphine, tramadol, and shabu, according to the statement.
The screenings – carried out inside schools across various governorates – examined a total of 2,608 drivers, the statement added.
The FDCTA encouraged parents who suspect school bus drivers of drug use to report their concerns to the fund’s hotline at 16023.
The Fund outlined key drug use signs, such as red eyes, dark circles, poor hygiene, erratic behaviour, difficulty speaking and lack of coordination.
These signs combined with unusual driving patterns such as excessive speeding or moving too slowly, are critical indicators of drug abuse, the statement clarified.
The drug screenings are part of a broader cooperation protocol between the ministries of interior, health and population, and education, to ensure the safety of students.
The Fund said such campaigns will continue throughout the school year.
The recent screening results come just weeks after the fatal crash of a Galala University bus, whose driver tested positive for morphine.
In an earlier report, the FDCTA revealed that over 66,000 individuals sought addiction treatment and counselling services in the first five months of 2024.
While the vast majority of patients seeking help were men (96.62 percent), the number of women using the services (3.38 percent) has grown.
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