Sociology

The Defense Department is steadfast on its anti-drug endeavors with a novel policy which involves more often random testing of all active military members, national guards, reservists and civilian employees. DoD laboratories test more than 60,000 urine samples every month. Active duty members are required to undergo a urinalysis test at least once in a year, whereas reserves guards, and civilian employees at least once per two years (Power, 2010). This new policy was signed by Deputy Secretary of States for Defense Paul D. Wolfowitz on 31st July, 2002 and directed toward ensuring that United States military members remain physically fit and mentally alert during war. Besides, the policy was as well aimed at reducing the demand for and the utilization of illegal drugs in DoD (Powers, 2010).

The Defense Department has escalated urinalysis testing by including reserves, National Guards, and civilians employed in the military. This in itself is vital, as all men and women in uniform as well as civilian members of military are greatly involved in war effort. Nurturing military force free from drugs remains a major challenge for United States Defense Department. To overcome this challenge, the novel policy as well calls for a minimum, across the board repercussions for every member of DoD (civilian or military) found using illegal drugs (Powers, 2010). In the past prior to this policy, service members from different branches caught using illicit drugs under similar situation were subjected to dissimilar punishments. Implementation of this policy brings in force the uniformity to enhance not just the sense of fairness, but clarity that drug utilization is incompatible with both civilian employment and military service as well (Powers, 2010).

Active service members, national guards, reserves and employed civilian screened with urinalysis test and found to be drug abusers could be subjected to dishonorable discharges, such as prison time, dismissals, criminal records and fines (Powers, 2010). In the recent DoD urinalysis test results indicate a modest augment in the overall  of active military members testing positive for drugs. For instance, in fiscal 1999, 1.11 of 1.1 million active service members tested were found positive for prohibited drugs. This percent has been on the rise since then, as in fiscal 2000 it was 1.32, whilst in fiscal 2001 it was 1.45 (Powers, 2010).   DoD drug tests or urinalysis tests indicate that marijuana remains to be active military members prohibited drug of choice, since it was established be used by 70 percent of the total number of abusers caught in fiscal 2001. This was down a few  points from the previous year (2000). Other drugs screened and established as most abused by active service members include methamphetamine (speed), cocaine and ecstasy (Powers, 2010).

That aside, it has been indicated by several studies that drug abuse degrades the performance and may as well lead to known adverse health effects to the abusers. Medical experts in DoD for example, have pointed out that a small dose of drugs, such as ecstasy can cause an individual to suffer from permanent brain damage (Powers, 2010). This is unfortunate because out of 12, 264 active service members screened by drug test in fiscal 1999, 495 were ecstasy abusers. Additionally, with stern, stringent and rigorous screening standards in place, in fiscal year 2001, out of 16, 759 abusers found, ecstasy users totaled to 1,744 (Powers, 2010). Therefore, this drug test results imply that about 1, 744 active service members of military were at a high risk of encountering permanent brain damage (Powers, 2010).To dissuade the adverse effects of drugs, it is expected that the new policy will simultaneously educate and encourage active service members to shun drug use. The same policy need to be anchored in the military recruitment process to ensure that potential recruits are free from drug abuse.

Advantages of Testing for DoD
When urinalysis test is employed, active service members, national guards, reserves and civilian employed in military are normally instructed to go to a collection site. Their urine is then collected at isolated location in a designed secure cup, sealed using a tamper resistant tape (Powers, 2010). Thereafter these samples are sent through express delivery service to the testing laboratories to screen for illegal drugs. Instant drug testing is one of the advantages of this test and this has made it widely used not only in Department of Defense, but in a number of States for drugs and other forensic investigations. Secondly, the method is cost friendly and thus, can be used in detecting illegal drug abuse in a large number people, for instance in military with no financial infringement (Powers, 2010). Thirdly, the kits used in testing illicit drugs have shown maximum specificity implying that they are extremely accurate in detecting drug abusers. Finally, testing of drugs for DoD ensures both mental alertness as well as physical fitness to active services members, reserves, guards and civilians working there.

However, these advantages are believed to benefit the Defense Department and not the active service members or any other military affiliate, as those found using illegal drugs are at a risk losing their jobs. With the new policy of no tolerance on drug abuse, any positive screen is enough for an immediate dismissal from duty and thus, drug testing for DoD is a major drawback to potential illegal drug users (Powers, 2010).