of rank or age, are subject to participation in the urinalysis  testing  program. The  urinalysis  program  uses  a  system  of biochemical  testing  of  urine  samples  to  achieve  the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. Establish  a  valid  and  reliable  means  for  the detection of drug abuse Serve as a strong deterrent against drug abuse Monitor  the  status  of  personnel  in  drug  and alcohol  abuse  rehabilitation  programs Provide  statistical  data  on  the  prevalence  and demographics  of  drug  abuse Drug Detection Dogs Commands  can  request,  through  the  security department,  the  use  of  drug  detection  dog  (DDD)  teams to help identify drug abusers. Dogs are effective, and the possibility of their repeated use increases their effectiveness  as  a  deterrent.  The  only  persons  needing prior  knowledge  of  a  DDD  inspection  or  an  authorized search are the commanding officer and the dog handler. DDDs  may  conduct  inspections  anywhere  under  naval jurisdiction  at  any  time. Dogs are trained to inspect for controlled substances and  will  not  harm  humans  unless  provoked.  No  matter how effective a dog-and-handler team is in detecting drugs, the physical presence of the team alone is often the  best  deterrent  to  drug  abuse.  Abusers  can  seldom  fool dogs;  they  rarely  succeed  in  their  efforts  to  mask  the trace  odors  the  dogs  are  capable  of  detecting. DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION Today,  the  basic  approach  to  drug  abuse  prevention calls  for  understanding  that  goes  beyond  information about  drugs.  You  need  to  understand  people,  their feelings, their needs, their goals, and their reasons for taking  drugs.  You  also  need  to  understand  the  effects  of a family or group situation upon human behavior. Showing  people  you  care  about  them  is  the  most important  tool  of  all  for  preventing  the  abuse  of  drugs. Learn  how  to  recognize  the  potential  drug  abuser and  the  situations  that  might  contribute  to  a  person’s choice to abuse drugs. Offer the abuser or potential abuser  alternatives  to  drugs.  Help  your  people  to develop  attitudes  and  value  that  oppose  the  acceptance of drug abuse. Help them to see that drugs provide only transitory, counterfeit experiences that can never change the  real  world,  but  constructive  activity  can.  Encourage them  to  become  involved  in  constructive  activities  such as  volunteer  work,  sports,  clubs,  divisional  outings, divisional  tours,  off-duty  education,  community  service activities,  part-time  jobs,  and  hobbies. For nonusers who have never used drugs or who have merely experimented with them, drug abuse education  can  highlight  valid  reasons  for  not  using drugs. This type of education also offers alternative ways of achieving satisfaction. Use the basic alternative appeal  to  “turn  on”  to  life. One former user who is a recognized antidrug authority  suggests  four  basic  steps  in  dealing  with people who already may be using drugs regularly: 1. 2. 3. 4. Develop  a  sympathetic  and  an  honest  attitude. Provide  accurate  information. Provide  information  from  sources  that  are credible to the user, such as ex-users. Give  people  alternatives  to  the  use  of  drugs. The young member, particularly on board ship, may need  special  counseling.  When  members  walk  up  the gangplank  upon  reporting  for  duty,  they  are apprehensive and have a strong desire to be accepted. They may alter their beliefs and actions in an effort to be accepted by their peers, even if acceptance includes using  drugs. You can control this situation and eliminate many of the problems that may occur by providing proper guidance at this crucial time. When you receive new members  in  your  division,  assign  one  of  your  most competent division personnel to help them adapt to their new environment. That person will encourage and guide the  young  members  to  develop  acceptable  values  and specific  goals. ALCOHOL ABUSE Alcohol  is  the  number  one  drug  problem  in  the United States today. The leading causes of death for the 17- to 25-year age group are alcohol-related driving accidents,  suicides,  and  homicides.  About  55  percent  of all fatal auto accidents are alcohol related, and 60 percent  of  all  motorcycle  deaths  involve  alcohol. Historically,  alcohol  has  had  widespread  use  in  our society.  Throughout  history,  alcoholic  drinks  have  been used with meals, at social gatherings, in religious ceremonies,  and  at  celebrations.  Alcohol  does  have some acceptable uses, but it also can be abused. 3-14