Chile’s president, José Antonio Kast, announced this Monday that his Government will present a constitutional reform bill seeking the removal from office of authorities found to consume drugs. The proposal, which must be analyzed by the National Congress, proposes the periodic application of drug tests to the highest representatives of state bodies, along with the dismissal of those who test positive for the consumption of psychotropic or illicit substances.
Read more Polarize or the leaf litter that envelops the everyday life of politics
The Executive has presented this idea four years after the departure of the Undersecretary of Finance, Juan Pablo Rodríguez, who tested positive for drugs. La Moneda stated that the former official had obtained a negative result in a test conducted in April, but tested positive in another test carried out in June. Rodríguez has denied being a user, at 36 years old, stating that the test result does not reflect his situation. “I do not consume drugs and I will take all necessary actions to clarify what happened and defend my honor,” he said in a public statement.
What the Government’s proposal says
Kast’s Administration initiative aims at an amendment to the current Constitution, allowing the imposition of a new cause for removal from office for authorities who register illicit substance use in a positive drug test. The measure will apply to ministers of State, undersecretaries, senators, deputies, regional and provincial presidential delegates, regional governors, regional councilors, mayors, and councilors. Currently, there is no regulation that enforces the removal of a public official for drug use, as everything is left to the discretion of the corresponding leadership. In the case of parliamentarians, it is also not grounds for a request for removal of immunity, since consumption alone does not imply any crime.
How would the test be applied to authorities?
According to the project, there will be an obligation for authorities to undergo a drug detection test upon assuming office and subsequently randomly during a year. So far, this year’s public sector adjustment law and the regulation on the President of the Republic, set in the Presidency items of the Budget law, impose the obligation of the test. The Legislative Power has also established its rule in its internal regulations. For now, the manner in which results will be published has not been defined, nor how the application of counter-samples will be addressed.
What has Kast said about the Government’s project?
The president, who presented the proposal in a ceremony at the La Moneda palace, defended the idea and said it is necessary for authorities to face any doubts about their management. “Citizens increasingly demand more from us as authorities, increasingly demand more transparency. I believe that we must listen not only to the citizens but also to how legislation is addressing phenomena we did not know before. In this, we must be inflexible; there cannot be two views, because the risk to our democracy is very high,” Kast expressed. The head of State recalled that the application of substance use tests was part of his electoral campaign program and mentioned that he himself has undergone a test.
Why is the drug test being sought to be imposed on authorities?
The idea of imposing drug tests among authorities gained strength during 2022, driven by the UDI caucus, from the traditional right, and by deputy Pamela Jiles, who currently belongs to the populist People’s Party (PDG). The justification behind this measure is that exposing possible drug use is an act of “transparency” in the case of legislators when voting on rules related to drug trafficking prosecution. It has also been mentioned as a way to uncover possible infiltration of organized crime in political power. The idea has not reached the necessary consensus. Some sectors of the left have said that mere confirmation of personal consumption is insufficient to demonstrate alleged links of an authority with drug trafficking, so other additional measures should be advanced, such as opening bank secrecy to determine possible illicit financing.
Read more The alarm sensor for doors and windows that enhances your home’s security for less than 25 euros