Increased punishments for drug abuse

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  President Barack Obama signed a legislation placing 26 additional drugs on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, July 9.

The Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 includes 15 synthetic cannabinoids or "spice," and 11 synthetic cathinones or "bath salts."

"The Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 was passed in response to the growing threat of synthetic drug abuse," said Kenneth Jennings, 4th Fighter Wing legal intern. "Of specific importance are the drugs' easy availability, lack of legitimate uses and dangerous one or the other lethal side effects, including violent incidents resulting in injury or death to the drug user and others. Furthermore, synthetic drug-related incidents have become more and more common."

By adding the drugs on the Schedule I list, the punishments for Department of Defense civilians and military members were increased.

"For Airmen, this means it is now possible to be charged for the possession, use, introduction and distribution of these 26 substances as a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice," said Lt. Col. Debra Luker, 4th Fighter Wing staff staff judge judge advocateadvocate.

Airmen who use any of these substances face punishments up to and including a dishonorable discharge and between five and 15 years confinement, Luker explained.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration a substance on Schedule I has a high potential for abuse and does not have a medical use for any treatment in the United States.

"Both bath salts and spice are synthetic or manufactured designer drugs replicating cocaine and marijuana respectively," said Tech. Sgt. Marc Llafet, a 4th Security Forces squadron police services flight member. "While the pure forms of the drugs are dangerous and illegal, the synthetic replicates carry a higher degree of risk due to variances in manufacturing and the numerous toxic and lethal chemicals used in the manufacturing process."

Luker said using drugs in the military not only affects the individual, but can impact completing the Air Force mission.

"Members who abuse drugs adversely affect the safety and security of their fellow Airmen and violate the trust placed in them by the American people," Luker said. "We must always be at our best in order to protect the rights and freedoms of our country."