BPKN Calls For Drug Tests On All Airline Crews

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) has urged the Transportation Ministry to subject all  airline crews in the country to narcotic drug tests to prevent the recurrence of the recent meth-consuming pilot case.

"The tests must be done on all airline crews, namely the pilots and cabin attendants," BPKN spokesman  Gunarto said here Thursday.

The tests were necessary because the mental pressure suffered by air crews from overwork could easily lead them to turn to drugs, he said.

The transportation ministry should also take measures against the managements of airline companies employing pilots addicted to drugs, Gunarto said.

All pilots should undergo drug use tests every time they were about to fly a plane to ensure they would not be working under the influence of drugs. The tests could be administered by  rapid-test kits at least one hour before they boarded their planes.(IGT)