Beginning May 1, Department of Defense-administered urinalysis testing will expand to include prescription drugs that are frequently misused, such as hydrocodone and benzodiazepines. Both medications frequently are prescribed for pain, but are highly addictive. The services want to ensure that members do not use them for other than their expressed purpose. Authorities want service members who are abusing prescription drugs to seek help. Persons who misuse the drugs but are diagnosed as not being drug-dependent could face disciplinary action. Those abusers who are diagnosed as drug-dependent will be exempt from disciplinary action, and offered medical help and counseling. In either case, service members who abuse prescription drugs likely will face separation.
