'Go Pills'

PENTAGON SHOULD REASSESS POLICY ON COMBAT DRUG USE

A lawyer for two U.S. Air National Guard pilots accused of bombing and
killing four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan says the Air Force coerced
the pilots into taking amphetamine pills before their flight. Air Force
officials say issuing "go pills" is standard operating procedure, but the
pilots irresponsibly and fatally violated standard procedure in the air.

An Air Force investigation board recommended that the two pilots, Maj.
Harry Schmidt and Maj. William Umbach, be charged with involuntary
manslaughter. They would be the first U.S. pilots ever charged with
committing manslaughter during wartime flight. A hearing starting Jan. 13
will determine whether they face a court-martial.

Given the seriousness of the charges, the pilots can be expected to grasp
for any defense available to them, including the allegation that the
charges are being pressed to secure Canada's support for an allied invasion
of Iraq. Umbach's lawyer, David Beck, claims that the Air Force made the
pilots take dexamphetamine, a prescription stimulant, before flying. Air
Force officials say pilot drug use is voluntary and that the pilots asked
for the pills.

One side or the other is not telling the truth. One side or the other is
not meeting the standard of honor demanded of the U.S. armed forces,
especially the officer corps.

If the lawyer for one defendant is right, and pilots are pressured to take
amphetamines before long missions, the Air Force should reverse its policy.
Dexamphetamine is illegal in the United States without a prescription. If
it is as beneficial and harmless as the Air Force claims, there would be no
reason for law enforcement to regulate it so strictly.

If the Air Force is correct that no pilot is forced to take drugs, the
Pentagon still should look again at its ongoing program to make the taking
of "fatigue management" drugs standard operating procedure on the modern
battlefield.