I-COMMENTS ON REPORT OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON A - Lack of hard data relating to the extent and nature of drug abuse. The report's discussion of this subject is accurate. The broad study objectives indicated by the subcommittee are supported, and the Department of Defense is progressing on such a study. Linplementation requires administrative action. B - Issues relating to the prevention of drug abuse. a. The report accurately discusses this subject in a responsible manner. The Department of Defense has reservations only with regard to whether the probability is sufficiently high of developing a mechanism which will screen out potential drug abusers to justify special priority attention. The Surgeon General of the Army is experimenting with ways to identify drug users by analysis of body fluids. Proposals are also being considered for developing a system utilizing psychological and chemical methods for identifying drug users at the time of induction. b. Consideration of the feasibility of making entrance examinations more effective in screening out drug abusers is supported. C. The voluntary referral of individuals rejected for service to appropriate civilian treatment facilities merits further serious consideration. d. Evaluation of the performance of AFEES stations is a routine and continuous effort insofar as the overall operations of the stations is concerned. And, as such, screening procedures, including the screening out of drug abusers, are a part of these overall operations. No performance differential among AFEES in the detection of drug abusers has been observed. It would seem preferable to look into the matter further before immediate establishment of a special evaluation system. Implementation requires administrative action, however, feasibility discussions need not be delayed. 2 2. Prevention Environmental Factors The comment of the subcommittee is concurred in regarding the need for continuing concern of environmental factors and their correlation with drug abuse. Minimal administrative action is required for implementation. C- Prevention - Education The Department of Defense does not concur in the view that primary emphasis has been generally placed upon command training rather than troop training. Drug educational activities however should be continuously reviewed and evaluated with emphasis being placed where the greatest need is indicated. 1. The intensity of drug education efforts at beth command and troop level is being increased. At the same time the importance of permitting the services and field commanders the greatest possible flexibility in designing programs tailored to their own particular situation and problem should not be overlooked. 2. Individual participation in troop education programs is a technique that has promise and merits further consideration. 1. "Drug Abuse Suppression Teams" in certain situations are considered useful drug abuse preventien teels. The Air Force has completed a full scale test of this type of team concept and is now evaluating the results. Implementation requires administrative action. Discussions to determine feasibility need not be delayed. The Department of Defense concurs. Further emphasis should be placed upon the continuous improvement and developing of precedures and training programs that will lessen the problems associated with law enforcement and legal process by the military in dealing with drug abuse. Implementation requires minimal administrative action. The report's discussion of the treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers accurately summarises many of the very difficult and complex problems and questions which are encountered in this area of concern. Feasibility Questions 1. There is doubt as to whether at this time any single unitary policy regarding treatment and rehabilitation is the final answer. Diverse initiatives and policies of the individual services are valuable in the search for better solutions to the problem. 2. Drug offenders are eligible for needed medical treatment in the military services. 3. Post-separation treatment for drug abuse problems appears to be the logical approach. 4. Commanders, in the majority of instances, have a wide range of options in dealing with drug abuse cases. 5. It is extremely doubtful that absolute confidentiality is feasible at present, given the possible consequences of a return to drug abuse in duty involving aircraft, nuclear weapons, or the security of the nation. 6. At present in the Air Force there is a minimum one year disqualification from flying duty and duty involving nuclear weapons when drug abuse is substantiated. There is not, however, a minimal removal period from ether sensitive or privileged duties. Each case is evaluated on its merits. The possibility exists of guidelines acting as a detriment to this process. 7. Both local and central rehabilitation medes would appear to be appropriate. 8. It is believed that in most instances drug abusers should be subject to normal administrative discharge procedures and should receive the type of discharge which their whole service warrants. 65-419 O 71 - 10 |