Accession Number:

ADA343662

Title:

Minimizing Drug Related Attrition Costs for Incoming Naval Recruits.

Descriptive Note:

Master's Thesis

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Jacklich, John J.

Report Date:

1998-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

102.0

Abstract:

This thesis investigates alternative strategies for enforcing the Navys zero-tolerance drug use policy among Navy recruits. Current policy relies mainly on the gas chromatographymass spectrometry GCMS urinalysis for recruits when they arrive at boot camp. GCMS, a laboratory test, takes at least three days for confirmation. The cost of separating recruits who fail urinalysis or admit to drug use at boot camp is 2.7 million per year. Key ideas investigated in the thesis are the administration of drug tests at Military Entrance Processing Stations MEPS on the day of shipping to boot camp, and the use of a new non-instrumented drug test NIDT. The NIDT, though not as accurate as GCMS, requires no laboratory equipment or expertise to administer and furnishes results immediately. This thesis designs and recommends a new policy, which includes NIDT testing for marijuana at the MEPS in addition to GCMS at RTC. Through the use of detailed statistical, cost and sensitivity analyses, the thesis concludes that the Navy can save well over a 1 million per year by instituting this policy. These results have been reported to RADM Kevin Green, commander of NTC, Great Lakes, who has announced his intention to adopt the new policy.

Descriptors:

• *NAVAL PERSONNEL
• *ATTRITION
• *COSTS
• *DRUGS
• *RECRUITS
• *GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
• TEST AND EVALUATION
• STATIONS
• LABORATORY TESTS
• POLICIES
• PROCESSING
• THESES
• SENSITIVITY
• INSTRUMENTATION
• MILITARY TRAINING
• LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
• GREAT LAKES
• MASS SPECTROMETRY
• URINALYSIS
• CANNABIS

Subject Categories:

• Personnel Management and Labor Relations
• Pharmacology
• Physical Chemistry

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE