Fidesz backs drug tests for teens, and maybe some adults

Analysis

Hungary’s governing party Fidesz is backing a proposal to introduce mandatory annual drug tests for children between the ages of 12-18, and perhaps also journalists and politicians, Hungarian online daily origo.hu reported.

Antal Rogán, parliamentary fraction leader of Fidesz, said that the original proposal, from the mayor of Budapest's District 8, would be modified to say that only the child’s parents would be informed about the results of the test. Concerning politicians and journalists, Rogán said that it is “an issue of legal rights” and said that Gergely Gulyás would lead the relevant consultations with the Ministry of Justice to determine whether people in those professions should also be required to take drug tests.

Toxicologist Dr. Gábor Zacher told news service Hír24 that “fast examination methods” can show the agents of 4-6% of drugs in the Hungarian black market, however there is a special device that could deliver more reliable results, he said. He added that the device costs approximately HUF 100 million and Hungary currently owns three. One examination using the device costs HUF 60,000-80,000 according to the toxicologist. Zacher adds that the examination would cost the government an annual HUF 50 bln, and suggested that money could be used more wisely.

In European countries, people can be required to take drug tests only in well-founded situations. In some countries, an employer can send the job seeker for a drug test before employing him/her, but cannot be informed about the details of the results, only whether the test came back as positive or negative.

HUPX Joining Serbian, Slovenian Peers in Adex Power

HUPX Joining Serbian, Slovenian Peers in Adex

Moldovan Pensions to be Increased as of April 1 World

Moldovan Pensions to be Increased as of April 1

Schoenherr Names Miklós Klenanc as Head of Local M&A Practic... Appointments

Schoenherr Names Miklós Klenanc as Head of Local M&A Practic...

Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency to Host Summit Drinks

Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency to Host Summit

SUPPORT THE BUDAPEST BUSINESS JOURNAL

Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For 27 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.
Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.