ACADEMY DRUG WOES EYED

Jan. 10, 2001 - COLORADO SPRINGS - U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard wants a
congressional hearing to examine whether the drugdetection program at the
Air Force Academy is as effective as it should be.

A drug probe at the Air Force Academy involving as many as 34 cadets has
illuminated some concerns, said Allard, R-Colo.

"There's some questions that have been brought up in the drug investigation
as to how effective the drug-detection program is," Allard, who sits on the
Senate Armed Services Committee, said Tuesday.

An academy investigation that began in October has widened to include 34
cadets who have been either implicated in or questioned about the use and
distribution of the increasingly popular drug Ecstasy and of illegal
body-building drugs.

Allard, who said he's "surprised" by the number of cadets involved, said a
hearing should be held to ask what happens with information after a drug
test is performed and "how effective the tests are when you actually run them."

The academy does random urinalysis testing of 2,700 cadets annually, but
random testing usually does not occur on weekends because cadets are
allowed to leave academy grounds. Commanders have the option to order drug
screenings on weekends, said Capt. John Elolf, an academy spokesman.

Some of the newer drugs have a short half-life, "and that makes it more
difficult for us to detect. Somebody who did (Ecstasy or some other drugs)
a couple of days ago may be difficult to detect," Elolf said.

Ten cadets are under investigation in three separate incidents for illegal
drug activity, Elolf said. Others are being questioned or have been
disciplined for condoning the activity by not telling authorities about it.
Punishment under the cadet discipline system can include probation, extra
weekend duty or expulsion, Elolf said.

So far, only Cadet Stephen Daniel Pouncey, a senior, has been charged with
a crime. Pouncey, whose activity was discovered through urinalysis, was
charged in December with illegal use of cocaine, LSD, Ecstasy and
methamphetamines. He was also charged with distribution of Ecstasy and LSD.

Pouncey waived a hearing, and Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. J.D. Dallager
is expected to decide whether a court-martial will be held for Pouncey. He
faces dismissal form the Air Force and up to 55 years of confinement if
convicted of the charges.

Elolf said the investigation unfolded three ways: random urinalysis tests;
cadets reported on other cadets; and cadets admitted their involvement.

Elolf said he doesn't know when the investigation will end.

"This is a small portion of the academy, less than 1 percent of the cadet
wing. We're definitely disturbed by that," he said. "Cadets ... are taught
from the day they arrive that illegal behavior will not be tolerated."

Cadets at the academy were briefed about the ongoing investigation late
last week and Monday. They were told not to talk to reporters about the case.