Be recreational, but not with drugs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  With the weather warming up and summer just around the corner, everyone is starting to shed their winter coat and get outside to enjoy some recreational activities. Unfortunately, that can also include recreational drug use.

The summer months, specifically June and July, have shown a drastic increase in first-time drug use according to a survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The Air Force enforces a zero-tolerance policy, meaning that Airmen need to always be conscious of what they are putting into their bodies.

All active-duty Service members can be randomly drug tested at any time and are only required to be given a two-hour notice beforehand. Also, anyone that drives onto base is subject to a car search to check for illegal substances.

"Have some respect for what you're doing," said Brandon Bible, Air Force Office of Special Investigations investigator. "You're serving the greatest country in the world and you've taken that step to go through all the troubles to wear that uniform. You've got to let your past be your past at some point in your life."

OSI partners with the 4th Security Forces Squadron to form the Joint Drug Enforcement Team (JDET). The coalition handles drug cases ranging from distribution to high-volume trafficking. They also work together with local law enforcement agencies to take down operations that impact Seymour Johnson and its Airmen.

According to Bible, the JDET prosecutes more than 30 cases on average each year. As a separate component, the 4th SFS office of investigations mostly handles simple use cases that are more prevalent.

"Think before you act," said Lionell Peake-Marshall, 4th SFS investigator. "You're affecting your peers and other Airman by doing a careless act.  You're taking a chance to cause injury or death to yourself or others, which effects mission readiness."

Living the military life can be difficult at times. It can cause many stressful situations and hardships that Airmen, regardless of age, might not have the ability to cope with. There are numerous resources available to get help. Turning to drugs is only going to intensify the problem by adding paperwork, possible discharge or jail time.

"First of all, you have your front line supervisors," Bible said. "You can go to them even if you're just struggling with the temptation to use. If you feel an urge to use or you have no other outlet, whether it be to relieve stress or anything like that, just talk to people."

The 4th Medical Operation Squadron mental health clinic also offers the Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Treatment program for individuals seeking help.

Regardless of the problem, turning to drugs is never the answer. It is not supported by the Air Force and should not be tolerated by any Airman.