BUCKLEY OFFICIALS PROBE DRUG USE

Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - AURORA - Officials at Buckley Air Force Base are
investigating suspected drug activity among airmen that could include using
and selling drugs on base to distributing them in the surrounding community.

Details about the investigation were not released, but base spokesman John
Spann said "a number of active-duty Air Force members" were under
investigation and that their numbers could grow.

"This is a very minor case," Spann said. "It's not a huge investigation."

An airman was court martialed Friday for introducing Ecstasy on the base,
using and distributing the drug and attempting to buy Ecstasy and cocaine.

The airman, who was not identified since appeals are still possible,
pleaded guilty to the charges, Spann said.

It was the first court martial at Buckley since the base was returned to
active duty two years ago.

The airman was sentenced to nine months in a military prison, received a
bad-conduct discharge and had his rank reduced from a first class E-3
airman to a basic E-1 airman.

Spann said Friday's court case is not related to the ongoing investigation.

"We are not different from any other (military) installation," Spann said.
"We are human, and people certainly do wrong things. But they are subject
to discipline. The Air Force has a zero-tolerance policy for anybody who
uses, sells or distributes drugs."

Still fresh in the minds of Air Force officials is a major drug scandal in
Colorado Springs.

Fourteen airmen stationed at the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force installation
were convicted and one was acquitted in an investigation that began in June
2000 after suspicious activity and behavior were reported. The charges
included using and dealing illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, LSD,
Ecstasy and cat tranquilizers.

The airmen received jail time ranging from one month to five years. One
received 60 days of hard labor, and 10 were discharged.