The governor of Neuquén was drawn in the provincial drug test and showed a negative result.

NEUQUÉN.- Governor Rolando Figueroa underwent a surprise and mandatory narcotest for public officials of the province this Friday. He shared the negative test result on his social media and stated that politicians must "lead by example." The provincial leader was selected to undergo the toxicological control that is mandatory for all members of the Neuquén public sector, as established by a provincial law passed in 2025 and regulated in February of this year. In a video shared on his official social media profile, Figueroa showed the moment when he was informed of the negative results from his urine sample. The professionals in charge of the test clarified that the purpose of the analysis is to detect the presence of substances such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates, and methadone. "For us, it is very important to comply with this law," said the governor. He added: "Those of us who have the responsibility of making such important decisions with our signature must act with full awareness and responsibility." In September 2025, the Neuquén Legislature approved provincial law 3531, which establishes mandatory toxicological tests as a requirement for remaining in public office for members of the three branches of the State. The initiative received 29 votes in favor and two against, from deputies of the Left Front (FIT), and was drafted from the merger of two similar bills presented by different political blocs. In February of this year, the regulation was implemented through a decree signed by Figueroa and subsequently published in the Official Gazette. Governor Figueroa with the current Chief of Staff, Diego Santilli. The law establishes that toxicological tests will be conducted unexpectedly and quarterly, through a draw administered by the Neuquén Gambling Institute (IJAN), which guarantees the impartiality of the selection. Every three months, a list of selected officials is presented, comprising 12.5% of the total staff. Officials who undergo the test and test positive will have the right to request a counter-test, which must be submitted within 48 hours. If an official refuses to provide their samples, their result will be considered positive, which will lead to their suspension and subsequent removal from office. The law states that the tests must be conducted under strict confidentiality protocols. In this case, Governor Figueroa decided to make his results public in a call for authorities to "lead by example." For Figueroa, who promoted one of the two bills that led to this law, the initiative "is in line with the public policy we are pursuing in the provincial government, in the fight against drug trafficking." A similar law was passed in 2023 by the Deliberative Council of the city of Córdoba. The Córdoba Deliberative Council approved mandatory narcotests for municipal officials. Press of the Deliberative Council. Replicas in other branches. After the law was approved, other jurisdictions, such as the Municipality of Neuquén, also adhered to the regulation. Thus, members of the municipal cabinet and even the Ombudsman will have to undergo the test along with the mayor, who was already included in the provincial regulation. In other branches of the State, such as the Legislature, the implementation of toxicological controls was delayed due to a lack of consensus on the protocols to carry out the tests. In August of this year, a protocol was finally approved establishing quarterly controls, conducted on-site and at the expense of each provincial deputy. Among the voices that questioned the implementation of the measure was that of deputy Julieta Ocampo (FIT), who criticized the sanctions of direct removal without a comprehensive treatment approach for problematic substance use. By Sofía Sandoval. Type of work: Original News