DRUG USE DOUBLES ON POST

Test results jump from 1.1% to 2.2% By

The rate of drug use on post appears to have doubled over the past year,
according to statistics from Fort Campbell officials.

Out of 23,500 urine samples tested between Oct. 1, 2001, and Sept. 30,
2002, 518 of them -- 2.2 percent -- came back positive. Comparatively, Fort
Campbell tested 40,000 samples between Oct. 1, 2000, and Sept. 30, 2001,
with 423 -- 1.1 percent -- testing positive for drugs.

Fewer samples were included in this year's testing because samples taken
between January and March were not included. Those samples were tainted and
could not be tested, post officials said. Marijuana was the most frequently
used illegal drug, followed by cocaine and Ecstasy.

Post spokesman Maj. Paul Fitzpatrick said he couldn't speculate as to why
there are more positive drug tests.

He did say, however, that illegal drug use among soldiers is not tolerated.

"Every soldier in the Army is a volunteer. They volunteered to serve our
country. With that service, soldiers are expected to follow all rules and
regulations," Fitzpatrick said. "Drug use is wrong and either soldiers must
adhere to these rules or seek another profession."

Department of the Army spokesman Capt. Ben Kuykendall said he doesn't know
Fort Campbell's specific circumstances, but as a former company commander
he knows how the anxiety of war can affect soldiers and family members.

About 4,000 Fort Campbell troops returned in September after being deployed
to Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of the war on terrorism. Soldiers are
not tested regularly for drug use during combat.

"I would think definitely, when you look at the reasons people use drugs,
with deployments and whether they're going to come back alive or not," war
is a factor, said Kuykendall.

He said now more than ever substance abuse prevention programs are needed.
"I'm not a drug counselor, but it makes sense to me that the increased
stress and the war on terrorism would stand to reason" as being behind any
rise in drug use.

Spc. Delvon Jones of 8th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, said drugs are
a problem across society and certainly aren't limited to military
installations.

Jones proudly sported an anti-drug red ribbon last week as part of a
drug-free campaign sponsored by Fort Campbell's Substance Abuse Office.

He also found a link between war and drugs, but not quite in the same way:
"I don't want to be in a foxhole with someone who can't function," he said.