From today, you could be put to the test
Prohibited substance testing to resume

By PTE John Wellfare

Ellie Miller, a nurse at CAMU-R, begins testing a sample for a prohibited substance.

Photo by PTE John Wellfare

* The following list provides examples of prohibited substances by type: Narcotic substances – including amphetamine, cannabinoids, cocaine, codeine, heroin, hydrocodone, morphine, methadone, opium, pentazocine and pethidine; Anabolic agents (steroids) – including androstenediol, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA); Hormones and related substances – including erythropoietin (EPO), growth hormone (hGH), gonadotrophins (LH, hCG), insulin, insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) and corticotrophins; Beta-2 agents – including bambuterol, clenbuterol, fenoterol, formoterol and reproterol; Diuretics and other masking agents – including acetazolamide, bumetanide, etacrynic acid, frusemide (furosemide), triamterene, epitestosterone, alpha-reductase inhibitors, and plasma expanders; and Benzodiazepines – including diazepam (Valium), temazepam (Normison), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) and oxazepam (Serepax). For a more detailed list of prohibited substances see the Customs Act 1901, definition of narcotic substance. A positive test result for a prohibited substance will be disregarded where an authorised person is satisfied that the result is wholly attributable to something done in accordance with the directions or recommendations of a legally qualified medical practitioner.

TESTING for prohibited substances, including narcotic drugs, will resume when new policy based on amendments to the Defence Act takes effect on June 16.

The Air Force’s prohibited substances testing program had been on hold since late last year, when it was found that the existing Defence Act did not adequately support the policy.

With the amendments in place since March this year, policy has been redeveloped to make the process clearer and more flexible to cater for individual circumstances.

Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Roxley McLennan said the reasons for Defence’s drug testing program had not changed with the introduction of the new policy.

“The Air Force retains a zero tolerance for illicit drug use,” he said. “This program will help to reassure Air Force members that their work environment is safe, and that illicit drug users can not flourish in their ranks.”

“The legislation that enables us to direct someone to give a sample has now been amended to allow a greater range of testing and clearer direction to commanders on how to deal with any member who returns a positive test.”

AVM McLennan said two parts of the act that had been changed would require members to provide a sample for testing and would establish the framework for expanding the policy to cover new substances and better testing methods in the future.

As new types of drugs enter the market or when new testing methods are proven effective, the CDF can amend the policy, subject to review by parliament, without suspending the program for nine months to amend the Defence Act.

Members identified for testing will provide a sample, which will be subjected to preliminary screening tests at the local level. A sample that returns a positive screening test result will be sent to a laboratory for more detailed analysis.

“The protocol for conducting a prohibited substance screening test is exactly the same across the three Services,” AVM McLennan said. “That means the test will be the same for an Air Force member posted to an Army base or Navy ship as it would be on an Air Force base.”

Laboratory test results will be forwarded directly to the coordinator in Personnel Branch-Air Force in Canberra, who will inform the member’s CO of the result.

“If the member returns a positive test, the result will be recorded in writing and forwarded to the unit. Administrative action will then commence.

“Members who return a positive test will be issued a notice to show cause why they should remain in the Air Force.”

AVM McLennan said Air Force members who had not used prohibited substances should be comforted by the policy.

“If you return a positive test, administrative action will be taken. But if you don’t use prohibited substances, this policy won’t affect you.”

A CAF’s directive will soon be released detailing how the testing program will be implemented in Air Force.

 

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