Written by
Gretel C. Kovach
The Marine Corps is beginning
the New Year with the introduction of a strict alcohol screening
program, becoming the first service to adopt mandatory alcohol testing
of all personnel. The Navy will soon follow.
Starting
Jan. 1, all Marines and sailors serving with Marine units will be given
random “breathalyzer” tests twice yearly to measure blood alcohol
levels, the Corps announced this month. Anyone with a level of 0.01
percent or higher can be referred to counseling.
One
drink during the work day, or heavier consumption the night before, can
raise blood alcohol levels to 0.01 percent. Drivers with 0.08 percent
blood-alcohol levels or higher are considered legally drunk.
Marines
who blow a blood-alcohol level of 0.04 percent or higher will be
referred to medical personnel to assess fitness for duty.
The
program aims to deter Marines from abusing alcohol and coming to work
under the influence of any amount, as well as identification of those
who may be developing a drinking problem.
The
main goal “is not to catch people and drive up the number of
non-judicial punishments,” said John Veneziano, a Marine veteran who
directs the Consolidated Substance Abuse Counseling Center at Camp
Pendleton. “It is early intervention.”
Alcohol
abuse may have career consequences, however. “Although the (alcohol
screening program) is primarily for deterrence and education, it does
not preclude commanders from taking appropriate administrative action
should the situation warrant,” Lt. Gen. Robert Milstead, Jr., deputy
commandant for manpower and reserve affairs, said in a message this
month to Marines.
The
program is part of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus’ 21st Century Sailor and
Marine initiative to improve health, safety and military readiness.
Other newer programs target tobacco use and synthetic drugs.
Both
services are campaigning to deglamorize, treat and track alcohol use,
the Navy Department says: “Sailors who drink excessively or late into
the night and report to duty under the influence of alcohol place
themselves, their shipmates, and our equipment at risk.”
gretel.kovach@uniontrib.com; (619) 293-1293; Facebook page: UT Military; Twitter @gckovach
