Keeping Aviano Airmen drug-free, mission-ready

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Lotz
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  A new urinalysis facility is scheduled to open in the spring of 2015 as part of the Air Force's Drug Demand Reduction Program here.

The facility will move to a larger building allowing more members to be drug-tested daily and include a new training room to educate trusted agents -- Airmen selected to help observe the drug-testing. The new design will cost approximately $25,000, but is projected to save the Air Force money in the long run by investing in the education for our Airmen.

"With more military members being screened and trusted agents getting the proper education, the DDR program will thrive and grow at Aviano," said Maj. Ryan Wilmes, 31st Fighter Wing director of staff.

The program uses randomly-selected drug tests called sweeps that help eliminate drug abuse throughout the Air Force.

"The DDR program is in place to deter the use of illegal substances to better ensure that Aviano Airmen and personnel are fully capable of supporting the mission," explained Mercedes Snow, 31st Fighter Wing DDR program manager. "There should never be a question whether or not Airmen are using drugs or alcohol at work because they're supposed to value integrity and excellence, but this program remains in place to assist those who have forgotten those values."

According to Snow, the program helps educate Airmen on drug-related concerns, and reminds them that using drugs is an offense punishable under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice.

"My goal for the program is to provide education and outreach that hasn't been done quite as extensively before," said Snow. "We're in Europe - there's definitely other ways to relieve stress and have fun. I think people just forget that."

Drug abuse in the military is classified as wrongful, illegal or illicit use of a controlled substance, medication or intoxicating substance other than alcohol. Possession, distribution or introduction of any drug onto a military installation is illegal.

"With so much time and hard work invested in today's Airmen, we should be doing everything we can to prevent them from making a mistake that could ruin their career," said Wilmes. "Doing something that can hurt you or someone else, for even a second, could ruin the rest of your life."

Illegal drugs found and confirmed in a service member's urinalysis test can be subject to an Article 15, resulting in a forfeiture of pay and reduction in rank for that Airman. To help prevent drug abuse, the DDR program recommends speaking with a Chaplain or contacting an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment counselor. 

For more information on how the DDR program can help, visit the urinalysis facility currently located next to the Italian Mensa on Area F.