Dyess AFB Discusses Drug Testing Expansion Coming May 1st
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: March 13, 2012
"THC, marijuana, spice, cocaine...," are all drugs currently included in Air Force drug testing.
Beginning May 1st of this year the Air Force will begin testing for prescription drug abuse.
"The idea here behind this program overall is that military members need to be held to a higher standard and I think that's what the american public really demands of us," explains Medical Group Commander of Dyess Air Force Base, Kevin Seeley.
In order to do that, prescription drugs will be added to the list.
He says, "What's being added under this new program is this hydrocodone and its derivative metabolite and benzodyazapines."
Before the date gets here Dyess Air Force Base is encouraging airmen and their families to seek help.
"We're trying to get folks to identify themselves or become aware of the possibility that they may be addicted to or abusing prescription drugs," says Seeley.
Seeley explains some of the programs Dyess has in place to provide help and support.
"A few years ago the Air Force started what's called a resiliency program and through that we have lots of programs and activities that are available to airmen and their families in order to get help for potential drug addiction or abuse," says Seeley.
The medical group at Dyess says the new additions to the program are not intended to harm their airmen, rather to help them be the best at what they do.
"It's a matter of keeping airmen at their peak mental acuity in order to do their jobs and defend our nation," says Seeley.
Beginning May 1st of this year the Air Force will begin testing for prescription drug abuse.
"The idea here behind this program overall is that military members need to be held to a higher standard and I think that's what the american public really demands of us," explains Medical Group Commander of Dyess Air Force Base, Kevin Seeley.
In order to do that, prescription drugs will be added to the list.
He says, "What's being added under this new program is this hydrocodone and its derivative metabolite and benzodyazapines."
Before the date gets here Dyess Air Force Base is encouraging airmen and their families to seek help.
"We're trying to get folks to identify themselves or become aware of the possibility that they may be addicted to or abusing prescription drugs," says Seeley.
Seeley explains some of the programs Dyess has in place to provide help and support.
"A few years ago the Air Force started what's called a resiliency program and through that we have lots of programs and activities that are available to airmen and their families in order to get help for potential drug addiction or abuse," says Seeley.
The medical group at Dyess says the new additions to the program are not intended to harm their airmen, rather to help them be the best at what they do.
"It's a matter of keeping airmen at their peak mental acuity in order to do their jobs and defend our nation," says Seeley.
