MARADMINS : 154/12
R 221627Z MAR 12
UNCLASSIFIED//
MARADMIN 154/12
MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF(UC)/F002//
SUBJ/NOTIFICATION OF EXPANDED PRESCRIPTION DRUG URINALYSIS TESTING WITHIN THE MARINE CORPS//
REF/A/MSGID:SECDEF/311615ZJAN12/-//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRC4/YMD:20110411//
NARR/REF A IS SECDEF MSG, INITIATION OF EXPANDED PRESCRIPTION DRUG URINALYSIS TESTING. REF B IS MCO 5300.17, MARINE CORPS SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM ORDER.//
POC/MR. ERIC HOLLINS/GS13/UNIT:MFC4/-/TEL:703-784-9526//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MARADMIN IS TO INTRODUCE EXPANDED PRESCRIPTION DRUG URINALYSIS TESTING WITHIN THE MARINE CORPS, EFFECTIVE 1 MAY 2012.
2. PER REF (A), ON 1 MAY 2012, THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WILL EXPAND MILITARY DRUG TESTING OF THE MORE COMMONLY ABUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, INCLUDING HYDROCODONE AND BENZODIAZEPINES. WHILE THESE POWERFUL DRUGS CAN ALLEVIATE SUFFERING FROM INJURIES AND ANXIETY, THEY ARE POTENTIALLY HIGHLY ADDICTIVE AND THEIR INAPPROPRIATE USE OUTSIDE OF MEDICAL SUPERVISION PLACES MARINES AND THEIR UNITS AT RISK. MARINES WHO ARE USING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT WERE NOT PRESCRIBED BY THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS OR ARE INAPPROPRIATELY USING LEGITIMATELY PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VOLUNTARILY SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION IN A MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITY PRIOR TO THE INITIATION OF TESTING FOR THESE DRUGS.
3. AS INDICATED IN REF (A), PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE INAPPROPRIATELY USED WHEN THEY ARE NOT USED FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE, BEYOND THEIR PRESCRIBED DATES, IN EXCESS OF THE PRESCRIBED DOSING REGIMEN, OR WHEN A SERVICE MEMBER USES ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL'S PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS.
4. PER REF (B), CURRENT POLICY STATES THAT ALL ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE MARINES WHO SELF-REFER FOR DRUG ABUSE TO QUALIFIED REPRESENTATIVES (ANYONE IN THE CHAIN-OF-COMMAND) SHALL BE SCREENED FOR DRUG DEPENDENCY AT A MEDICAL FACILITY. THOSE WHO ARE DIAGNOSED AS "DRUG DEPENDENT" ARE EXEMPT FROM DISCIPLINARY ACTION, ARE PROCESSED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION, AND OFFERED TREATMENT. PERSONNEL WHO ARE DIAGNOSED AS "NOT DRUG DEPENDENT" ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM DISCIPLINARY ACTION, ARE PROCESSED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION, AND NOT OFFERED TREATMENT. HOWEVER, UNDER THIS SECDEF PRESCRIPTION DRUG TESTING INITIATIVE, INDIVIDUALS WHO SELF-REFER FOR HYDROCODONE AND BENZODIAZEPINE ABUSE, PRIOR TO 1 MAY 2012, SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM DISCIPLINARY ACTION IN ORDER TO AFFORD THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN APPROPRIATE TREATMENT, AVOID A POSITIVE URINALYSIS AND AVOID DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
5. MARINES SEEKING SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING CAN OBTAIN ASSISTANCE THROUGH THEIR CHAIN-OF-COMMAND, MEDICAL OR SELF-REFERRAL TO THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING CENTER.
6. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY SES S. E. MURRAY, ASSISTANT DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR MANPOWER RESERVE AFFAIRS.//