Just the facts about demand reduction

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The staff of Whiteman's Demand Reduction Office has heard just about every urban legend and old wives' tale there is concerning the Air Force's use of random urinalysis to test for illicit drug use. Just a few examples include - "There's no way this is random, I get tested every time I come back from leave!"; "They pick you by the last four of your social security number,"; and "The computer selects by your date of birth."

While none of the statements are true, belief in them persist throughout the Air Force. In an effort to dispel the myth and legends, Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch, 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs, sat down with James Taylor, Whiteman's demand reduction program manager, to talk about the program. Following are questions and answers from that interview.

Is this program really random?

Yes, the program is random. Every person, from the highest ranking to the airman basic, must be available each test day in order for the program to be random. Just because you test today doesn't mean you won't be selected tomorrow.

Does the computer pick you by your social security number or date of birth?

The selection program generates a binary code, a string of 1s and 0s used by computers worldwide, for each name in the database. The binary codes are then selected at random.

Does the program target Airmen and junior officers?

Yes, 100 percent of the E-1 through E-5 and 0-1 through 0-3 population on base will be tested annually. This is not done by name, but only by the total number of personnel in these ranks. It's possible that some members could be tested several times while other members might not be tested. Personnel in the ranks of E-6 to E-9 and 0-4 to 0-10 are tested at a rate of 65 percent each year. The lower ranks are tested at a higher percentage because statistics say these rank and age groups test positive more often than other ranks and ages. Anyone can be tested at any time.

Does the program always select members coming back from leave?

No, the system does not recognize a member is on leave, temporary duty, quarters, flying or on crew rest. If a member is selected while on leave, a trusted agent at the squadron will give us the member's return date. The member will then be tested on the return date. Also, if a member is on a shift where immediate notification of selection for testing would result in their being awakened from sleep, they will be tested during their next duty shift.

Do members have to test if they are selected while they are on leave?

Yes, upon returning from leave, temporary duty, quarters, flying or on crew rest the member will be tested. As we often say in the office, "Once selected, it will be collected."

If a member inhales second-hand marijuana smoke will that show up on their test?

No, the Department of Defense has set the cutoff at a level that eliminates the possibility of secondary inhalation.

Can a member's test be wrong?

Yes, there is a possibility that a test could be wrong, but because we are dealing with people's careers, families and lives we take the utmost precaution. If a member's test is positive for illicit drugs, it is then tested two more times. If any of the three tests come back negative for illicit drug use they are all thrown out. Furthermore, upon the member's sample reaching the lab at Brooks City-Base, Texas, it is assigned a serial number so any form of bias is removed from the equation.

What drugs does the program test for?

The program test for the eight most-prominent illicit drugs and is constantly changing to stay current. In addition to testing for the eight current drugs, we will test members for anything that is recommended to us by the local Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

Why doesn't the program use hair or blood samples?

Because urinalysis is the best method available for determining drug use. Hair testing is not as accurate and has several limiting factors and blood is continually cleansed if the member has a working liver.

How many people does demand reduction catch a year?

Less than one half of one percent of the base population. But, it's the unknown statistics, like how many people don't do drugs because of the program, that makes our mission essential. In 1975 approximately 25 percent of the Air Force used illegal drugs or illicit substances. Since our inception at Whiteman in 1997, we have had less than one percent of Team Whiteman members test positive.