NAVY FIGHTS ENLISTEES' INCREASED DRUG USE

NORFOLK -- The Navy's Atlantic Fleet has seen a 24 percent increase in the
illegal use of drugs among its newest sailors in the past four years,
prompting its commander to call for "a full-court press" toward more
education, deterrence and detection.

In 1996 the Atlantic Fleet discharged 857 first-enlistment sailors because
of drug abuse. In 2000 the number increased to 1,060, while other reasons
for attrition -- misconduct or medical problems -- decreased.

There are more than 97,000 enlisted sailors in the Atlantic Fleet and 9,815
officers.

Of the 1,060 sailors discharged for dug use last year, 889 were unmarried.

Although Navy-wide figures were not provided, nor was there a mention of
concern from other military branches, the Air Force has begun random
weekend drug testing at some Pacific air bases to catch airmen using
so-called "club drugs" such as ecstasy.

Some Air Force commanders have "volunteered" their units for the drug tests
on the weekends, according to published reports.

Atlantic Fleet officials said they are most concerned about ecstasy and
other amphetamines, which can be flushed from a user's system quickly and
thereby go undetected.

The Navy has a zero-tolerance drug-abuse policy, meaning that it will
discharge any member caught abusing drugs, even if it is a first offense.

Adm. Robert J. Natter, commander in chief of the Atlantic Fleet, in a
letter Wednesday directed all his ship and unit commanders to increase
drug-abuse education efforts, strengthen single-sailor initiatives and
renew emphasis on drug-abuse detection.

He noted that 84 percent of those sailors who were caught were single,
without dependents.

"Strengthen single-sailor initiatives and find more ways to help our single
sailors feel they are a part of the Navy family," Natter told the COs.

He also noted that the "short window of detection" some of the drugs
provide makes broad and frequent testing an essential element of the
fleet's deterrence and detection strategy.

No command should limit its monthly testing because of budget concerns, he
said. Costs incurred from the purchase of testing supplies will be returned
to the command, he promised.

Natter ordered the commanders to pay particular attention to the education
of their most junior sailors, who are statistically more vulnerable to drug
abuse.

"Our policy of zero tolerance will not and should not change," Natter said.
"But our methods of education, detection and deterrence bear review."

While the Navy expressed concern about the apparent rising trend, officials
also pointed out that the Navy figures are still well below what the
civilian community usually shows.

According to a survey of 18- to 25-year-olds who say they have used illegal
drugs in the past 30 days, 16 percent of civilians said they did, while 2.5
percent of Navy personnel of all ages acknowledge such use, said Lt. Cmdr.
Joe Navratil, a spokesman for Natter's office.

Further, the Navy's rate for the positive testing of illegal drug use
through urinalysis continues to hover below 1 percent. In 1999 the Navy
tested about 800,000 urine samples, and 0.81 percent tested positive, the
Navy said.

Tests show that between 1985 and 1998, there was a 94 percent reduction in
the number of positive urine tests.

From a 1998 Defense Department confidential survey, 3.6 percent of Navy
members polled reported some type of drug use in the previous 12 months,
down from a 1980 survey in which 43 percent admitted using illegal drugs.

"So we're still far less than society in general, but still it is an issue
we want to address with our COs," Navratil said.

Natter attributed the fleet's steadily improving retention numbers to an
increased focus by command leadership on the importance of its sailors.
That same level of effort is needed to decrease drug abuse among first-term
sailors, he said.

"We can never be satisfied that we are doing enough for our people and for
our drug-prevention efforts," Natter said. "Our steps to educate our
younger sailors with regard to drug abuse and ensure understanding of our
policies require continuous involvement of all levels of leadership. Our
people are too important an investment to do otherwise."

He encouraged his commanders to report on their education and deterrence
efforts.