Department of Defense expands military drug testing panel

In February, the secretary of defense announced that the Department of Defense will be expanding military drug testing in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to avoid possible prescription drug misuse. 

The Air Force Drug Demand Reduction Program seeks to reduce the use of illicit drugs and the misuse of legal drugs through a combination of education and the random testing of military members and civilian personnel. According to the CDC, prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the U.S.  
The Air Force Drug Testing Laboratory will add testing for hydrocodone and hydromorphone to the current drug panel.  Both drugs are classified as opioids and found in several commonly prescribed pain medications. The expansion of the testing panel for service members will commence May 1. 

These prescription medications should only be used under the supervision of a medical professional and within the timeframe specified. When used properly, these drugs can alleviate severe pain.  However, improper use can have dangerous side effects and they can be highly addictive. The misuses of prescription medications can negatively affect the health and safety of the abuser, those around them, and the overall readiness of the unit. Service members are reminded to never take medications that are prescribed to someone else. 

Individuals who need assistance discontinuing the use of these drugs are encouraged to seek counseling services through self-referral, their medical provider, or their chain of command.  Members of Team Ramstein can contact the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment team at 479-2390 for support. Additionally, civilian counselors have been contracted by Military One Source to assist military personnel and their family members.  They can be contacted at 1-800-342-9647 or at www.militaryonesource.com/mos/about/counselingservices.aspx.

Medications should be properly disposed of after their intended use.   Improperly disposed medications (e.g., general refuse, flushing down the toilet, etc.) can have negative environmental impacts, such as contamination of the water supply. Of equal concern is the potential for children to acquire unused and potentially expired medications that are stored in the home. In the U.S., the Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Events support the removal of unneeded prescription medications from homes.  Unused and expired medications can be disposed of at the pharmacy in the Ramstein Clinic 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, or in the Outpatient Pharmacy at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

(Courtesy of 86th Medical Operations Squadron)