LANGLEY INSPECTS VEHICLES, ORDERS DRUG TESTS

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE -- Drivers entering Langley Air Force Base recently
got a surprise when their vehicles were stopped and inspected, and service
members were ordered to the base hospital for a drug test.

Of the 123 people sent to the hospital early July 20, one person was cited
for driving under the influence of alcohol. Drug tests results have yet to
return.

Langley plans similar tests in the future.

Drug testing gained increased emphasis here more than two years ago when
Langley was rocked by an undercover sting operation that found an active
drug ring. Twenty-six airmen faced punishment starting in December 2000 for
either using or dealing drugs, primarily the club drug Ecstasy.

In the following months, Langley drug-tested 95 percent of its personnel -
far higher than the Air Force standard of 65 percent.

More drug testing has worked, according to Langley officials.

During fiscal year 2002, only eight people tested positive for illegal
drugs and none for Ecstasy.

Langley had an overall positive drug-test rate of 0.48 percent, compared to
0.67 percent for the rest of the Air Combat Command, according to base
officials.

"The message of deterrence has been received," said Langley spokesman Capt.
Dave May. "Langley will soon resume random testing in keeping with the Air
Force standard, but will continue to have unit inspections at varied times
to ensure that tests are unpredictable."

First Fighter Wing officials said the plan is to cut drug testing back to
Air Force standards.

In December 2000, undercover agents discovered that Ecstasy, LSD, cocaine,
marijuana, steroids and ketamine were bought and sold on Langley.

At the time the drug bust became public, a Pentagon spokeswoman said drug
use was at a 20-year low.

Langley officials said more gate inspections are planned.