'Spice' up your life = end your career

Published Jan. 27, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst leadership brought in the new year with a renewed intention to eliminate drug use among servicemembers.

The Joint Drug Enforcement Team was created Jan. 1 to focus specifically on eliminating drug use among servicemembers. One of the team's primary goals is to eliminate the use of synthetic marijuana, also known as "Spice."

The JDET, a collaborative effort between the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and Security Forces Investigations, works with the service-specific legal offices here to investigate and, if necessary, prosecute all allegations of drug use affecting JB MDL.

"Servicemembers look for easily-obtainable drugs they think are undetectable through urinalysis," said Clark Kameron, JDET investigator. "Because of that, many servicemembers turn to synthetic marijuana, commonly known as Spice. Some members don't understand that Spice can be detected via a urinalysis and is illegal for military members."

The joint base drug analysis and testing program staff conduct urinalyses to detect ingredients used in Spice and similar products. Servicemembers may be punished under Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice if Spice ingredients are detected during the test.

"Spice is likely to be used in a group setting unlike heroin, which users tend to do on their own," said Olsen. "When individuals get caught, they often turn in other Spice users, which leads to large groups of servicemembers being discharged at once.

Members who are discharged for drug use often lose a majority of their military benefits including the GI Bill."

Drug use by servicemembers is punishable under Article 112a: Wrongful use or possession of controlled substances.

"Because the UCMJ does not recognize certain variations of Spice as a controlled substance like most states do, Spice use is prosecuted under Article 92 to limit confusion," said Kameron.

Airmen who violate this article face a maximum punishment of dishonorable discharge and five-years imprisonment.

"The numerous cases of Spice users I've dealt with ended with multiple servicemembers being offered an Article 15 in lieu of courts-martial and subsequently discharge from the Air Force for drug use," said Capt. Adam Olsen, chief of litigation for the 87th Air Base Wing Legal Office. "Numerous factors affect a commander's decision; and in some instances an Airman may be brought before a court-martial for using or possessing Spice."

The JDET investigates allegations of illegal drug use among servicemembers.

"We have several individuals strictly dedicated to enforcing the military's no-tolerance policy on illegal drug use among servicemembers," said Kameron. "If it's a drug, it's our focus to eliminate its use."

Even though the JDET focuses its main efforts on servicemembers, investigators can still charge civilians with possession and other illegal drug use.

"Our goal is to rid the entire joint-base community of drugs regardless of military affiliation," said a Kameron.

The JDET encourages community members to report any drug use by calling 754-5456.

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