ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Sir- In reference to the article in the EADT on June 6 entitled 'Another
drug addict is ejected by USAF' quo ting the opinions of Chip Somers,
Director of Focus (the Bury St Edmunds branch), it is apparent he is not
aware of the many initiatives the Air Force takes to combat drug and
alcohol abuse;

The policy on both types of: abuse is 'Zero Tolerance'. What that means
is member who abuse either alcohol or drugs are held accountable for their
actions and dealt with swiftly but fairly.

In the American military, abuse of alcohol can be a career ending
behaviour. Our personnel are subject to automatic suspension of driving
privileges and military justice and punishment in the case of a drink
driving arrest.

Fines and reductions in rank are also considered for driving under the
influence or incidents involving alcohol abuse.

Furthermore, the possibility of incarceration at a military facility is a
real prospect for those involved in any criminal activity.

But it doesn't stop the airmen are also held accountable by government laws
wherever they serve in the world.

The U.S. Air Force conducts a multitude of programmes to identify, teach
and rehabilitate substance abusers.

People dependent on alcohol or involved in any alcohol incident are
assessed, required to attend intervention programmes and demonstrate
changes in drinking behaviours. Intervention programmes or rehabilitation
efforts can last from six months to a year, depending on the problem.

In the case of a drug abuser, while rehabilitation is available, all drug
users are discharged from the military.

In these cases, the USAF offers transitional substance and drug abuse
counselling to personnel being discharged from the military.

We actively screen personnel for drug abuse through random testing and
investigative services provided by our medical and law enforcement officers.

Substance use is assessed annually at each active duty member's mandatory
physical health assessment. There are many official and non-official
programmes run by the Air Force and its members. Some are run by
organizations like Airmen Against Drunk Driving whose group offers free
rides to anyone, anytime to keep them safe and off the road if they've had
a drink.

Many official programmes are available and run by the 48th Medical Group's
Alcohol, Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment programme, the Health and
Wellness Center, the Life Skills Support Center and the Family Support
Center to teach healthy lifestyles and discourage destructive behaviours
like taking illegal drugs, drinking and driving, or just drinking to excess.

If a civilian is caught drink-driving, it probably won't affect his or her
careen It's a different case for the military member Let me be very clear,
drug use and the responsibility that comes with Air Force life is
incompatible. It would only take one use of marijuana or Ecstasy for a
person in the military to be identified as using illegal substances. Only one!

The Air Force doesn't throw people away. As a team we work hard educating,
rehabilitating, and if necessary punishing people who abuse drugs or
alcohol. Our mission will not allow anything less.

COLONEL BRUCE E BURDA
Commander
100 Air Refuelling Wing.
RAF Mildenhall