Sailors assigned to Naval Station Norfolk (NAVSTA) Security Department perform the complex and time-consuming job of collecting, shipping and processing more than 100 urine samples each month.

The cornerstone of the Navy's success with its zero tolerance drug abuse policy is an aggressive and random urinalysis program. All Navy commands are required per instruction NAVADMIN 108/10 to test 40 percent of total command personnel monthly.

"The Navy's policy on drugs is clear -- zero tolerance. Drug abuse puts lives and the mission at risk and undercuts unit readiness and morale," said NAVSTA Commanding Officer, Capt. Doug Beaver.

Sailors from the security department operate a random, computer-generated database system that draws from a command-wide personnel log. After making its selection, the computer then notifies the master-at-arms who runs the program of those service members selected for urinalysis. The master-at-arms then informs the Sailors' chains of command.

"Our Sailors are entrusted with the highest levels of responsibility even at the most junior levels, and we need them to ready for action, able to make good decisions and thinking clearly 24 hours a day," said NAVSTA Command Master Chief William Caraballo.

The samples are sent to the Navy drug screening lab in Jacksonville, Florida, for testing. Negative test results show no further reason for concern, but if urine samples test positive, then those samples go through two more tests before being confirmed positive. A sample has to test positive on all three tests before it is considered a positive sample.

"Maintaining a drug-free Navy and Marine Corps is critical to operational readiness," Caraballo said. "The program is testing more samples for more drugs than ever before and is expanding capabilities and capacity to address emerging and future threats."

The Navy's Policy's bottom line is that the drug abuse policy is unwavering and states any member who is found to be unlawfully using, possessing, promoting, manufacturing or distributing drugs or drug abuse paraphernalia will be disciplined and administratively separated.

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For more news from Naval Station Norfolk, visit http://www.navy.mil/.