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Drug Testing Methods

JO3 Dan Ball

New testing methods in the Navy drug-testing program take aim at Ecstasy and amphetamines and reemphasize the Navy's "zero tolerance" policy. In June the Navy began using screening reagents--substances used in a chemical reaction to detect other chemicals--for the identification of specific drugs in the initial testing of all urine samples submitted to laboratories. The Navy began testing for Ecstasy in 1994, and the overall rate of drug use continues to decline. Through April 2002, the number of overall positives out of the number of total samples submitted was 0.62 percent, compared to 0.77 percent during the same time in 2001. Even with such low numbers, the Navy plans to continue seeking advanced technology to detect illegal drug use.

This fall, Navy commands provided indoctrination classes for its newest petty officers and chief petty officers. In addition to leadership skills the students learned about values, discipline and Navy standards while building a foundation for future self-development. The Chief Petty Officer indoctrination includes courses on career management and manpower and personnel distribution. The most recent versions of the Petty Officer and Chief Petty Officer indoctrination courses are being distributed to all naval commands on CD-ROM. The courses are also available online at www.cnet.navy.mil.

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