Drug Abuse/Zero Tolerance

United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps

Region 7-1 – Recruit Training

Drug Abuse/Zero Tolerance



Introduction• The objectives of the Sea Cadet program are to introduce

youth to naval life, to develop in them a sense of pride, patriotism, courage, and self-reliance, and to maintain an environment free of drugs and gangs.

• Drug and alcohol abuse is a severe detriment to US Navy combat readiness in terms of performance, reliability, judgment, and lost time.

• The US Navy and NSCC policies with regard to drug abuse are ZERO TOLERANCE.



Class Objectives1. Explain the NSCC policy on drug abuse and prevention.

2. Explain the US Navy’s policy on drug abuse and prevention.

3. Explain the NSCC policy on alcohol and tobacco use.

4. Identify different types of drugs and understand their uses and hazards.

5. Understand the hazards of tobacco and alcohol use.



Importance

• Drug and alcohol abuse and tobacco use and are not healthy!• Destructive to NSCC and Navy efforts to:

– Instill Pride– Promote Professionalism– Enhance Personal Excellence

• Creates hardships on:– Family– Friends– Shipmates

• Incompatible with NSCC and military discipline standards.



NSCC Policy

The NSCC’s Drug Abuse Policy is ZERO TOLERANCE!



NSCC Policy

• Any NSCC personnel found to be in possession or under the influence of drugs will be processed for immediate dismissal from the program.

• Personnel may be subject to criminal proceedings depending on situation or if illegal drugs are involved.

• ZERO TOLERANCE means dismissal will occur on the FIRST OFFENSE!



Department of the Navy Policy

The Navy’s Drug Abuse Policy is also ZERO TOLERANCE!



Department of the Navy Policy• Any sailor guilty of a single incident of drug abuse will be

processed for separation, and likely further discipline as well.

• What kind of further discipline?– Jail time or criminal record

– Captain’s Mast

– Reduction in rate, fines, restriction

– Humiliation

– Discharged under “Other than Honorable” conditions



Navy Drug Testing

• The Navy tests for drugs primarily through Urinalysis.

• Commands must test 10-40% of their personnel on a monthly basis.

• All service members will be tested at least one a year, and up to five times at random intervals.

• Positive samples are tested three times for accuracy, and must be positive all three times in order to result in a positive report.



Facts About Drug Use

• U.S. contains 6% of the world population, using 80% of the world’s drug supply.

• U.S. spends over $175 billion a year on the war on drugs

• 1.5 million emergency room visits each year because of drug use

• Half of all federal prisoners are there because of drugs or drug related offenses

• Violent juvenile crime, most due to drugs, rose 118% in the last decade

• There are more than 2 million new users of marijuana since January 1, 2000.



Effects of Drug Use on Health

• Heart failure

• Rapid heart rate

• Coma

• Respiratory failure

• Nausea

• Seizures

• Depression

• Disorientation

• Paranoia

• Memory impairment• Impotence• Blurred vision• Psychosis



Types of Drugs

• Marijuana• Inhalants• Heroin• Ecstasy• Cocaine/Crack• LSD• GHB• Methamphetamines• PCP• “Club Drugs”



Marijuana

How it is used: Smoked

Harmful Effects:– Increased heart rate, anxiety, & panic attacks

– 3-5 times as much carbon monoxide as cigarettes

– Loss of memory, attention span, & capacity to learn

– Is highly addictive

– Significantly impairs judgment



Inhalants

How it is used: Sniffing or Snorting

Harmful Effects:– Slow body functions– Hearing loss– Liver & kidney damage– Blood oxygen depletion– Limb spasms

Inhalant abuse can result in death from the very first use!



Heroin

How it is used: Injected, Smoked, Snorted

Harmful Effects:– Collapsed veins– Liver disease– Pulmonary disease– HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis from needle sharing– Depression– Highly addictive

Top ranking drug among drug related deaths!



Ecstasy

How it is used: Taken as a pill

Harmful Effects:– Increased heart rate & blood pressure

– Confusion & depression

– Severe anxiety & paranoia

– Blurred vision

– Lack of coordination, tremors, paralysis



Cocaine/Crack

How it is used: Snorted, Injected, Smoked

Harmful Effects:– Paranoia and aggression

– Damage or collapse of nasal septum

– Cardiac arrest and seizures

– HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis from needle sharing

– Chemical reaction with alcohol



LSD

How it is used: Ingested as a liquid, often on paper

Harmful Effects:– Hallucinations

– Severe mood swings

– Terrifying thoughts and fear during “acid trip”

– Flashbacks to bad “trips”

– Long-lasting psychosis



GHB

How it is used: Ingested as liquid or pill

Harmful Effects:– Nausea & vomiting

– Seizure & coma

– Respiratory problems

– Liver failure

– Severely impaired judgment

Has been used in date rape cases!



Methamphetamines

How it is used: Smoked or as a pill

Harmful Effects:– Nausea & vomiting– Seizure & coma– Parkinson’s Disease like symptoms– Extreme anorexia– Anxiety, paranoia and aggressiveness– Irreversible damage to the brain, resulting in strokes

Quickly addictive, leading to larger, more frequent doses!



How it is used: Injected

Harmful Effects:– Causes Liver & Heart Problems

– Sterility & Hair Loss

– Penile or Breast Reduction

– Depression & Aggressive Behavior

– Bone loss & stunted growth

Approximately 2% of teenagers will use steroids before high school graduation!

Steroids



How it is used: Smoked, Ingested, Injected or taken as a pill

Harmful Effects:– Impaired judgment

– Reduced inhibitions – date rape common

– Impaired memory

– Long term brain damage

– Can cause death when used with alcohol and other drugs

Includes Rohypnol, Ketamine, Ecstasy, GHB, & more.

“Club Drugs”



Alcohol Use and Abuse

• The NSCC Policy is ZERO TOLERANCE for alcohol use by any cadet.

• All cadets are under age 21, and therefore prohibited by law to purchase or consume alcohol.

• Sea Cadet Officers and Instructors who can legally drink:– May not do so in the proximity of cadets.– May not do so within 8 hours of interaction with cadets.



Alcohol Use and Abuse

• The Navy’s policy on alcohol use is “Responsible Use”.

• Underage drinkers violate the law and will be prosecuted accordingly.

• Punishment is based on misconduct… not on the alcohol problem.

• Severe alcohol related misconduct may result in administrative separation.



Consequences of Drinking & Driving

• Navy consequences include:– Restriction, confinement

– Loss of pay, reduction in rank, loss of promotion recommendation

– Loss of base driving privileges

– Separation/discharge

• Civilian consequences include:– Fines, court costs, higher insurance rates, loss of insurance

– Revoked, suspended, or restricted drivers license

– Jail time



Consequences of Drinking & Driving

The drunk driver and two others were killed.



NSCC Tobacco Policy

• All NSCC cadets, regardless of age, are prohibited from use of tobacco products while at NSCC functions.

• NSCC Officers, Midshipman & Instructors who are of legal age may only use tobacco products in a designated area, free from interaction with cadets.

• All NSCC personnel are discouraged from using tobacco products anytime and anywhere in their lives.



US Navy Tobacco Policy

• Reduce tobacco use and protect personnel from involuntary exposure to second hand smoke to the greatest extent possible.

• Prohibits smoking in all spaces except designated smoking areas.

• Encourages members to quit smoking through use of:– Formal programs and counseling– Medical assistance– Learning how to deal with causes of smoking



Facts About Tobacco Use

• More than 400,000 deaths annually• 3,000 children start smoking everyday – 1,000 of whom

will eventually die from smoking• Cigarettes cost their users $68 billion annually in health

care and insurance• Nearly all first use of tobacco occurs before high school

graduation• Chewing tobacco is NOT a safe alternative

– Contains nicotine and a number of known cancer-causing agents– More addictive



Consequences of Tobacco Use

• Yellow teeth

• Bad breath

• Cancer

• Emphysema

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Asthma

• Heart disease

• Birth defects in women who smoke while pregnant

Human lungs after years of tobacco use.



Summary1. Explain the NSCC policy on drug abuse and prevention.

2. Explain the US Navy’s policy on drug abuse and prevention.

3. Explain the NSCC policy on alcohol and tobacco use.

4. Identify different types of drugs and understand their uses and hazards.

5. Understand the hazards of tobacco and alcohol use.



Questions???

Documents

Drug Abuse/Zero Tolerance