Tests take 5 minutes

Equipment that will be used to conduct urine drug testing in the Air Force. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

By CPL Damian Shovell and LACW Renee Best

ON-THE-spot, highly accurate, random and targeted urinalysis testing will soon become common practice across Air Force following its introduction last December.

Flight Lieutenant Lynne Horne, a No. 23 (City of Brisbane) Squadron Reservist and a full-time accredited alcohol and drug tester for Queensland Corrective Services, said the test could be completed in under five minutes.

Testing in Air Force will be managed by the Drug and Alcohol Testing Coordination Cell, and will be implemented by trained and authorised Air Force personnel.

Members will first be asked to provide information of any prescribed medication before testing, then a urine sample is taken under close indirect supervision. The sample is tested for authenticity, masking agents and additives before being screened for drug metabolites using a “test cassette” (similar to a pregnancy test kit).

“If the test cassette comes up clean, the test ends there. If it does come up positive, it will be sent away to a lab for confirmatory testing,” FLTLT Horne said.

“The person’s commanding officer will then be notified of the result. If an illicit drug is detected in the laboratory, administrative action will be taken against the member and they will be given a Termination Notice (Notice to Show Cause).

The introduction of random and targeted testing comes after CAF directed its implementation to reduce the risks posed by illicit drug users to the safety and security of Air Force personnel and assets.

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