Do you feel that random urinalysis is actually working?

SFC Stephen King — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 10:49:03 -0400

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jun 14 at 2015 10:51 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 10:51:09 -0400

Yes...it catches those that think they're smarter than testing.

However, random testing does not affect those that don't care.

Response by CH (COL) Geoff Bailey made Jun 14 at 2015 11:05 AM

CH (COL) Geoff Bailey — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 11:05:18 -0400

Random can work when used in conjunction with 100% followed by a repeat 100% 48-72 hours later.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 14 at 2015 11:14 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 11:14:32 -0400

Presumption of Guilt.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 14 at 2015 11:28 AM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 11:28:10 -0400

I remember the marines doing one at the end of every 96.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 14 at 2015 11:28 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 11:28:18 -0400

100% random testing (timing) should work, but a 10% random test would miss 90% of the problem.

When I was in Da Nang they instituted Operation Golden Flow which was a 100% test on a surprise inspection schedule; the General in charge said "Pee negative men - and that's an order!"

I would have thought that an all-volunteer force would have a much smaller problem than we experienced with a largely conscripted force.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 14 at 2015 12:38 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 12:38:19 -0400

It worked for me.

Response by SFC Bryan Clark made Jun 14 at 2015 2:20 PM

SFC Bryan Clark — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 14:20:30 -0400

it does...no need for people doing drugs in a job where you need all your wits about you.....

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 14 at 2015 2:33 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 14:33:25 -0400

It depends upon the level of "surprise" with the test as well as the level of security that a unit has over barracks personnel.......more often than not, the majority of those that were testing positive during urinalysis when I came in back in '87 were those single Soldiers living in the barracks due to the control that NCOs had in the barracks. We would be woken up by a knocking at the door and an NCO would remain in the door as we put our pts on to head to the Orderly Room so as to prevent us from using the latrine...reasoning being that once you got that first pee out of the system you were pretty much clean for the rest of the day. I knew individuals that were using, both married and single, and the ones getting busted lived in the barracks. Everything filters through the kidneys and once you got the first one of the day out, you were good to go, so guys living at home that got the call, first thing to do was take a leak, grab some water or coffee and head on in to the unit. This was/is for THC..as for the others substances tested for, well that all can change dependent on what one used/uses...cocaine would be out of one's system within about 72-hours as the chemical make up is "water-soluble", so provided one wasn't doing lines the entirety of a 3-4 day weekend, one COULD "get away" with it. But you will always have the less than desirable dirtbags that attempt to beat the system and end up getting the green weenie!!

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 14 at 2015 2:42 PM

PO3 David Fries — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 14:42:28 -0400

There was no 10% when I was in. Everyone was checked. It made for the usual jokes about those that did the checking.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2015 3:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 15:43:54 -0400

This tool is being effective as Soldiers continue to get processed out of this organization for illegal use of drug substances.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 14 at 2015 3:49 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 15:49:52 -0400

Yes, though I have had some "random" mandatory appointments which coincidentally seem to happen after getting back from leave.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 14 at 2015 6:01 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 18:01:49 -0400

Been a long time since I retired but I remember the difference between when I started in 76 and the Rampant Drug use in the Navy (My Guess 75%-80%) were using some kind Illicit Substance and when I retired when Drug Use was Unheard of.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Jun 15 at 2015 4:59 AM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 04:59:12 -0400

People occasionally slip thru the cracks, but overall a very good program

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jun 15 at 2015 6:30 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 06:30:47 -0400

While I've never been a big fan of the policy, I do think it has a positive effect in a) preventing many (but not all) people from doing illegal drugs and b) catching some (but not all) of those who do.

Response by PO1 Jason Taylor made Jun 15 at 2015 7:28 AM

PO1 Jason Taylor — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 07:28:58 -0400

yes but some still slip through the cracks!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 8:47 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 08:47:20 -0400

I think this is a hit and miss. It depends on how large your command is. I have seen many who seem to make the list every other month and some that go almost a year before they make the list. Is it random? Yes. Does it always catch everyone? No.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 9:46 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 09:46:17 -0400

It helps when your unit doesn't drop hints like "0430 formation in PT's, make sure you bring your ID card." Or when the SPC network get the word out and your guys start asking if you have one on Friday or not.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Jun 15 at 2015 9:59 AM

CSM David Heidke — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 09:59:47 -0400

Although it works to highlight who is abusing substances, it takes far too long to separate those who are. The paperwork is onerous at best... Only one piece of paper should be needed, the positive test.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jun 15 at 2015 10:01 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:01:02 -0400

I picked maybe, because it is the closest to other. It isn't a deterrent otherwise it wouldn't be catching anyone. The folks it is catching obviously would use anyway so it is effective as a tool to identify folks not adhering to standards.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 10:55 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:55:58 -0400

I feel that it works as a deterrent for Soldiers who are put in situations (peer pressure, etc.) in order to persuade them not to take drugs. However, I feel that the way testing is done leaves something to be desired. I have been in the same unit for my whole military career and there have only been 3-4 times (out of 20+) that I haven't been "randomly selected." In fact, one month, I was tested 3 times all by the military (1 random, 1 for orders, and 1 for where I was assigned for my orders).

Seems awfully redundant, not to mention a waste of money.

Just my $.02

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 11:07 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 11:07:24 -0400

Not really. It's sucking up a lot of time and effort, and yet we aren't catching very many people with it. I suppose one could argue that means it is working...military members aren't using drugs because they worry about the urinalysis. But I would argue that taking people away from their day jobs to watch other people, also taken away from their day jobs, pee in a cup, 2-3 times a year, is probably hurting the mission more than the 0.9% of members who test positive.

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=121345

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Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 15 at 2015 11:35 AM

1LT William Clardy — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 11:35:30 -0400

This is an obvious lapse in the military educational infrastructure.How can we tolerate a standard so low that anybody can pass it with no effort or studying? And where is the mentorship and corrective training plan to provide soldiers with the necessary skills for successfully completing the test requirements? Do we even have workable Skill Level 1 standards for accurate urine placement in the cup?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 12:29 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:29:16 -0400

LTC,

Yes, i still think it is effective and it does work. I think the integrity of the command and how they operate may be innefective but overall it works. I also think that some of our soldiers want to get caught..

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2016 11:19 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 11:19:47 -0500

No, because the same 4-5 guys get "randomly" selected every month and then you have other people who never get selected. Say you have 100 people in the unit and you do "random" 10% every month. by the end of the year you should have theoretically tested 120 people or 120%. But what happens is you test 4-5 of the same people 8-9 times a year so you only wind up actually testing about 60% of the people in the unit.