disproportionate to the offense has the right to appeal the award to higher authority. The member must submit the appeal in writing and include the reasons he or she considers the punishment unjust or disproportionate. Normally, members must submit the appeal to the area coordinator having GCM authority. Article 15 requires the appeal to be made “promptly,”   which  means  within  5  days  of imposition–except  under  the  most  unusual circumstances. Appeals not brought within this period may be rejected on that basis. marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, FCP, and opiates. They tested each sample three times-twice using radio immunoassay and once using highly specific gas chromatography or mass spectrometry. These technical procedures are designed to protect the individual. They are standardized at all laboratories and centrally monitored through a blind sample quality control program. Facilities using these procedures are subject to frequent inspections. These inspections are one part of the Navy’s care and expense in ensuring the credibility of the urinalysis program. DRUG ABUSE EDUCATION DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE Drug abuse is incompatible with naval service. It is costly in lost man-hours and unnecessary administrative and judicial processing and is a critical drawdown on morale and esprit de corps. It undermines the very fiber of combat readiness, safety, discipline, judgment, and loyalty. For those reasons, the United States Navy has taken a zero tolerance stand on drug abuse. Zero tolerance is a compassionate policy that offers help to drug abusers who want help. However, it is also a tough policy that separates from the naval service those who defy authority through continued abuse. The Department of Defense authorizes the use of urinalysis for disciplinary purposes. Urinalysis has become the most valuable detection and deterrence tool used by the Navy. New technology enables wide-scale testing for the use of drugs. Today, recruits are tested within 48 hours of arrival at basic training. Those testing positive for any drug other than marijuana (THC) are immediate y discharged. Those testing positive for THC are charged with a first drug offense, which is documented in their record. They are randomly retested for the next 6 months; if found positive again, they are discharged. The recruits are tested again as they report to their first technical school and then tested three times annually throughout their naval service. Knowledge of the certainty of this testing and the severe personal and career consequences for drug abuse act as a powerful deterrent. The Navy emphasizes drug abuse prevention. Education programs make up the largest segment of prevention. General military training on drug abuse prevention and control is annually delivered to over 500,000 enlisted personnel. Other specific education programs include the Navy Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (36 hours of prevention and remedial instruction) with an average annual attendance of 53,000. Supervisory personnel attend an 8-hour policy, identification, and referral seminar. In addition to providing general drug abuse education to every person in the Navy, the Navy trains its own command drug and alcohol  program  advisors,  aftercare  program coordinators, drug and alcohol counselors, and program managers. Results from the Department of Defense worldwide surveys of drug and alcohol use among military personnel have shown a gratifying decrease in the use of illicit drugs among naval personnel. Drug use among all personnel within the 30 days before each survey was reduced from 33% in 1980, to 16% in 1982, to 10% in 1985. Because drug abuse is incompatible with naval service, the Navy will always maintain its zero tolerance stand and will continue to wage war on drugs. TYPES OF DRUGS AND THEIR EFFECTS The Navy has taken a firm stand against drug abuse. It processes for immediate separation from service any This section describes different types of drugs and how they affect the user. There are medicinal drugs used officer, chief petty officer, or petty officer identified as to treat illness or to relieve pain. Without them there a drug abuser or as drug dependent. would be a lot of pain and suffering. These drugs include The Navy’s five drug screening laboratories are aspirin, antihistamines, antacids, penicillins, and a located at Norfolk, Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; variety of others. Drugs have a definite purpose in our Great Lakes, Illinois; Oakland, California; and San society especially when they are prescribed by Diego, California. In fiscal year 1986, these laboratories physicians to cure illness. When used as prescribed by tested close to 2 million urine samples for six drugs: physicians, drugs are legal. 3-8