Navy cracks down on urinalysis cheaters

All Hands, March, 2006 by Austin Rice

The Navy is cracking down on Sailors who cheat on their urinalysis tests and began prosecuting them early this year. The new policy will not change testing procedures, but may ultimately result in jail time and a separation from the Navy.

According to Aviation Machinists Mate 2nd Class Cheryl Coburn, assistant urinalysis program coordinator, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md. "The test is still standardized and random. But the use or possession of substances that mask drug use is now a violation of the [Uniformed Code of Military Justice] ."

The new policy also designates punishment for any Sailor who helps or has knowledge of another Sailor defeating a urinalysis. Sailors who have information about cheating should go up their chain of command.

"It's simple, if you pop positive on a [urinalysis] you should get prosecuted," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Patricia Hazelrigg, assistant urinalysis program coordinator. "If you are caught trying to cheat the test, or know about somebody trying to cheat the test and don't report it, you should also be prosecuted."

Another change in policy is the end of fiscal year sweep. This requires commands to test Sailors not tested during the year.

"Since the testing process is random some people may not get picked to give a sample throughout the course of the year," said Coburn. "This new policy assures that everyone in the command is tested at least once a year, and urinalysis results will be posted privately on the Intranet and be available within a few days after testing."

Web-based reporting is mandatory for all Sailors attached to a non-deployed command and began Jan. 31. After that date, urinalysis results will no longer be sent via naval message. Sailors will be able to check their results using Web-based reporting with the Alcohol and Drug Management Information Tracking System.

Story by JOSN Austin Rice, public affairs office, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.