20 SAILORS CHARGED IN DRUG BUST

Twenty Navy sailors who were stationed on Guam were discharged from the
military and/or confined in a detention facility in connection with
drug-related charges, according to the Navy.

The Navy began its investigation of illegal drug-related activity here
after several sailors tested positive for drugs during random drug testing
in September, said Lt. Arwen Consaul, Navy public affairs officer. The
drugs involved included methamphetamine, marijuana, oxycodone, Ecstasy,
Klonopin and Xanax, a Navy press release stated.

Consaul said the sailors involved in the drug bust were either stationed on
Submarine Squadron 15 or the Navy security forces.

"The Navy doesn't tolerate drug use. We thoroughly investigate and we take
appropriate action when warranted under the particular facts and
circumstances," Consaul said.

"We'd like to let people know that illegal drugs are incompatible with the
core values of military service and also compromise security and safety."

Probe Continues

The investigation began in September but official comment on individual
charges was withheld to ensure the investigation was not compromised,
Consaul said. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Drug
Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Attorney's Office conducted the investigation.

"Law enforcement authorities are continuing to evaluate the source of the
drugs," Consaul said, adding where the drugs were found, whether on or
outside the Navy base, is part of the continuing investigation.

Seaman Recruit Michael Didonato; Seaman Recruit Matthew Hoelzle; Seaman
Recruit Steven Thurman; Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Tolk; Petty Officer
3rd Class Bryan Ledbetter; Petty Officer 2nd Class James Fish; Seaman Shane
Powell; and Petty Officer 3rd Brandon Letson were charged in connection
with the incident.

Testing Program

"The urinalysis drug testing program -- that played a significant role in
exposing the illegal drugs amongst some of the sailors that were found
guilty in this drug bust," Consaul said.

Powell was indicted by a federal grand jury and pleaded guilty to charges
of conspiring to distribute controlled substances to military personnel.
Powell is scheduled to be sentenced in the U.S. District Court of Guam in June.

"Since he violated civilian and military laws, he was tried in federal
court," Consaul said.

Letson, was found guilty during an April 16 court-martial on charges of
distribution and possession of controlled substances. Didonato, Hoelzle,
Thurman, Tolk, Ledbetter and Fish pleaded guilty at a court-martial on
charges that included possession and distribution of controlled substances,
the Navy said.

Those who have been sentenced received up to 10 months of confinement, bad
conduct discharges, reduction to the lowest enlisted pay-grade and/or
forfeiture of pay and allowances, the Navy said.

Powell is being held on the island while the other seven sailors are being
confined in off-island detention facilities, Consaul said.

Consaul said she could not release the names of the remaining 12 sailors
because their cases were handled "administratively." Newly assigned
personnel replaced those who could no longer perform their duties or were
discharged from the service, the Navy said.

[SIDEBARS]

To The Point

Twenty Navy sailors who were stationed on Guam have been discharged and/or
confined in connection with drug-related charges.

Sentencing

Seaman Recruit Michael Didonato -- Confinement for seven months, bad
conduct discharge

Petty Officer 2nd Class James Fish -- Confinement for 30 days, reduction in
rank and forfeiture of pay

Seaman Recruit Matthew Hoelzle -- Confinement for five months, bad conduct
discharge

Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryan Ledbetter -- Confinement for five months, bad
conduct discharge

Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Letson -- Confinement for 10 months, bad
conduct discharge

Seaman Shane Powell -- Scheduled to be sentenced in the U.S. District Court
of Guam in June

Seaman Recruit Steven Thurman -- Confinement for 10 months, bad conduct
discharge

Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Tolk -- Confinement for 90 days, bad conduct
discharge

The names of the 12 remaining sailors were not released because their cases
were handled "administratively." Lt. Arwen Consaul Navy public affairs officer

On The Net

For more information about the harmful effects of illegal drugs and
treatment, log on to www.guampdn.com.

Illegal Drugs

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine, also known as the drug "ice" is an addictive stimulant
that strongly activates certain systems in the brain. Immediately after
smoking or injection, the user experiences an intense sensation, called a
"rush" or "flash," that lasts only a few minutes. After the initial "rush,"
there is typically a state of high agitation that in some individuals can
lead to violent behavior. Other possible immediate effects include
increased wakefulness and insomnia, decreased appetite,
irritability/aggression, anxiety, nervousness, convulsions and heart attack.

Chronic use can cause paranoia, hallucinations, repetitive behavior (such
as compulsively cleaning, grooming or disassembling and assembling
objects), and delusions of parasites or insects crawling under the skin.
Users can obsessively scratch their skin to get rid of these imagined
insects. Long-term use, high dosages or both can bring on full-blown toxic
psychosis (often exhibited as violent, aggressive behavior). This violent,
aggressive behavior is usually coupled with extreme paranoia. Meth can also
cause strokes and death. Marijuana

Marijuana, the most often used illegal drug in this country, is a product
of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The main active chemical in marijuana,
also present in other forms of cannabis, is THC
(delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Of the roughly 400 chemicals found in the
cannabis plant, THC affects the brain the most. Short-term effects of
marijuana include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception,
trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor coordination,
increased heart rate and anxiety.

Marijuana smoke contains some of the same cancer-causing compounds as
tobacco, sometimes in higher concentrations. Ecstasy

MDMA or Ecstasy is a synthetic drug with amphetamine-like and
hallucinogenic properties. It is classified as a stimulant. Ecstasy comes
in a tablet form. Short-term effects can include involuntary teeth
clenching, a loss of inhibitions, unusual displays of affection,
transfixion on sights and sounds, muscle tension, nausea, blurred vision,
and chills or sweating. After-effects can include sleep problems, anxiety
and depression.

Ecstasy can cause severe dehydration, seizures and strokes. It can cause
dramatic increases in body temperature and can lead to muscle breakdown,
which can cause kidney failure. It can lead to liver and cardiovascular
failure, which have been reported in some of the Ecstasy-related
fatalities. Oxycodone

Oxycodone is the narcotic ingredient found in the pain killer Percocet and
is highly addictive. It is available by prescription only and is used to
treat moderate to severe pain when around-the-clock analgesic is needed for
an extended period of time.

The most serious risk is respiratory depression. Common side effects are
constipation, nausea, sedation, dizziness, vomiting, headache, dry mouth,
sweating, and weakness. Taking a large single dose could cause severe
respiratory depression that can lead to death.

Source: www.drugfreeamerica.org