cannabisnews.com: Air Force Academy To Increase Random Drug Tests Air Force Academy To Increase Random Drug Tests Posted by FoM on January 11, 2001 at 09:34:55 PT By Kevin Vaughan, Scripps Howard News Service Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News Air Force Academy officials plan to increase random drug tests in the wake of a scandal that has seen 14 cadets implicated in the use of marijuana, LSD and other illegal substances.The move came amid questions about the number of cadets subjected to the random tests, which were raised after the investigation came to light. "We take it pretty seriously," said Neil Talbott, chief of media relations. "We are not going to put up with this stuff."The investigation, which began last fall, has looked at 35 cadets:Stephen Pouncy, a senior, may face a court-martial and up to 55 years in prison after being accused of using cocaine, LSD, ecstasy and methamphetamines. He is accused of distributing drugs, too.Pouncy is one of 14 cadets under investigation in the probe, which has uncovered evidence that marijuana, LSD, ecstasy and a body-building drug known as Blue Nitro or Verve were being used.One of those 14 cadets has dropped out of the academy. Twelve cadets were investigated and cleared.Nine cadets were disciplined for knowing about drug use and failing to report it. Their punishment could range from probation to extra marching.Talbott said academy officials have randomly tested 2,500-2,700 cadets a year. That has satisfied an Air Force rule requiring that 65 percent of the cadet population be randomly tested for drugs each year.But Talbott also acknowledged that the tests weren't frequently conducted on weekends.Ecstasy, a popular drug at all-night "rave" parties, leaves the body quickly and might not be detected a couple of days later. As a result, Talbott said, the academy not only will be conducting more tests, but also will order them more often on weekends.Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)Author: Kevin Vaughan, Scripps Howard News Service Published: January 11, 2001Copyright: 2000 Denver Publishing Co.Address: 400 W. Colfax, Denver, CO 80204Contact: letters denver-rmn.com Website: http://www.denver-rmn.com/CannabisNews Drug Testing Archives: http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/drug_testing.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by military officer guy on January 11, 2001 at 21:10:49 PT true, but not true... NiftySplifty you're right in a lot of ways, or at least a couple, there are lots, probably a vast majority of military officers are pro divide and conquer, but there a lots of officers that don't think that way...they partied in college and smoked and realize that THIS war is a big failure...i'm one HUGE anti war on drug supporter, it is a failure...i personally know i'm not alone...so don't rule us all out...ps...random pee test really really suck...we can win this war... [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by NiftySplifty on January 11, 2001 at 19:02:02 PT Dr. Russo, you're right. Alcohol abuse is a definite military tradition. My father (Army Col.) and his Army friends drink their asses off. I recall one time one of his fellow officers said to me, "Are you on drugs? 'Cause you sound like you're on drugs." Merely because I complained that it wasn't right for a lady to lose her car when her husband picked up a prostitute in it (due to forfeiture laws). The military establishment will never understand anything but "Divide and Conquer". They will always think "If we drop more bombs, you'll see we can win." I have had this conversation/debate/argument with my father countless times. Luckily, he's just retired, and seems to be lightening up a bit. He even mentioned wanting to see "Traffic". I guess there is hope, after all.Nifty... [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by cajun01 on January 11, 2001 at 16:50:40 PT Drug Testing I was kicked out of the army for failing a drug test. When I refused to denounce pot as an evil drug, they told me that i was morally unfit to fight for my country. Sorry SOB's. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by freedom fighter on January 11, 2001 at 12:22:48 PT Ya know, drug testings do not work Do you know why?Each time you give someone a drug test and that person pass the test, what do you think this person would do?Most cool people would go out and party their sweet asses off! I would do the same after all I do know that the drugs that I am taking will not show up after 48 hrs. And you betcha that I would not be smoking the herb.I supposed only way drug testings work is to test everyone everyday. AssCroft would love to do that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on January 11, 2001 at 11:13:53 PT: Choose your Poison "We are not going to put up with this stuff."Yeah, we can do constant surveillance, and beat their drug tendency out of them. Then we'll force them to binge drink on the weekends to the point of unconsciousness so that they will fit in properly with established military traditions. Then they'll be real soldiers. What crap! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: