USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) Drug and Alcohol Program (DAPA) coordinators continue to educate and bring awareness to the Navy’s zero policy and the dangers of using Spice and other synthetic drugs, Oct. 9.
“We continue to learn more every day about the potential harm and side-effects associated with Spice,” said Chief Cryptological Technician Jeremy Crandall, Lincoln’s DAPA coordinator.
OPNAVINST 5350.4D defines drug abuse as the wrongful use of controlled substance including designer drugs, illicit-use anabolic steroids, prescription or over-the-counter medications. Crandall further described potential hazards associated with drug use.
“There are no regulations placed on the chemicals used in Spice’s production,” said Crandall. “This leads to the user not knowing exactly what they are consuming and means they are taking serious health risks.”
Chief Legalman Myron Chism stated that the risks of using Spice and other illegal substances weigh heavily on Sailors not just because of health and legal reasons.
“If caught using or in possession of Spice a Sailor could be discharged not only for the drug itself but for misconduct as well,” said Chism. “Looking at it from a wide perspective that [means] restriction, loss of pay, loss of employment and legal fees. It will make it harder to gain employment with that mark on your record.”
Chism went on to detail how strict the military service is coming down on substance abuse.
“If you use, you lose,” said Chism. “And it’s just not worth it.”
Even with the zero tolerance policy, Crandall wanted to ensure that Sailors know there are options for help if they turn themselves in before being caught.
“DAPA is the first stop on the road to recover,” said Crandall. “The DAPA team serves as an advocate for Sailors who may have a drug problem and DAPA can schedule appointments with treatment facilities. DAPA manages individual Sailors in aftercare programs. We do our best to set Sailors up for success after they depart naval service.”
Lincoln is currently undergoing a refueling complex overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries.
Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz-class to undergo RCOH, a major life-cycle milestone. Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation’s defense.
[mappress] Press Release, October 11, 2013