DOD Increases Drug Screening for New Recruits

(Summer 2017) As of April 3^rd, the Department of Defense (DOD) requires military applicants to be drug tested for the same substances active-duty members are tested. The new policy is designed to match the use of both illegal and prescription drug abuse among the general population as well as the rise in the use of synthetic drugs and heroin.

Presently members of the military can be random drug tested up to three times a year. They are tested for 26 drug types including cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and amphetamines, designer amphetamines such as MDMA (commonly called Ecstasy or Molly) and MDA (also called Adam), codeine, morphine, heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, synthetic marijuana (also called spice), and benzodiazepine sedatives.

More than 279,000 volunteers are screened for acceptance into the U.S. military each year. Approximately 2,400 of them do not pass the drug test. Another 450 individuals are anticipated to fail with the implementation of the more stringent drug testing requirements.

Those who fail the new screening will be permitted to reapply after three months. Anyone who tests positive twice will not be considered further for any type of military service.

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