Drug cases

The UCMJ and Drug Offenses: Maintaining a Ready and Disciplined Force

The military takes a harsh stance against the illegal use and distribution of drugs within the armed forces. This strict approach stems from the military’s critical need for a ready, disciplined, and healthy force capable of carrying out its missions effectively.

Each service has a regulation which prescribes random and unit urinalysis testing. If you test positive, you can be disciplined or even face court-martial. The chances of a court-martial increase with the seriousness of the drug, your rank, whether you were distributing, or whether you got stopped at the base gate to introduce drugs onto the base.

UCMJ Article 112a: The Foundation for Drug Enforcement

Article 112a of the UCMJ, titled “Wrongful Use, Possession, etc., of Controlled Substances,” forms the legal basis for prosecuting drug offenses in the military. It outlines seven specific prohibited activities:

• Wrongful Possession: Owning any illegal drug without legal authorization.
• Wrongful Use: Consuming any illegal drug.
• Wrongful Distribution: Selling, giving away, or otherwise transferring an illegal drug to another person.
• Wrongful Introduction: Bringing an illegal drug onto a military installation.
• Wrongful Manufacture: Producing or creating an illegal drug.
• Wrongful Possession with Intent to Distribute: Having an illegal drug with the specific plan to distribute it.
• Wrongful Importation or Exportation: Bringing an illegal drug into or taking it out of the country.

At court-martial there is a rebuttable presumption that you knowingly used a drug identified through a urinalysis. It is up to you and your military defense counsel to demonstrate that it was an unknowing ingestion (your drink was tampered with) or the ingestion was innocent. There are various ways this can be done.

Punishments for Drug Offenses

The potential punishments for violating Article 112a are severe and can vary depending on the specific offense, the quantity of drugs involved, and the accused’s prior record. Penalties can include:

• Dishonorable Discharge: This is the most serious punishment, effectively ending a military career with a mark of disgrace.
• Bad Conduct Discharge: This discharge carries a negative connotation and makes it difficult to obtain veteran benefits or civilian employment.
• Reduction in Rank: This lowers the service member’s pay grade and can affect their future promotion prospects.
• Forfeiture of Pay: A portion of the service member’s salary can be withheld.
• Confinement: This can range from a few weeks to years in a military prison.

Why a Regular Drug Enforcement Program is Necessary

The military enforces a zero-tolerance policy for drugs due to the potential consequences of drug use on its ability to function effectively:

• Impaired Performance: Drugs can significantly hinder a service member’s physical and mental abilities, compromising their effectiveness in combat, training, and other critical tasks.
• Safety Risks: Drug use can lead to impaired judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents, injuries, and even fatalities during operations or training exercises.
• Security Threats: Drug addiction can make service members susceptible to blackmail or coercion, potentially jeopardizing classified information or national security.
• Unit Cohesion: Drug use within a unit can erode trust, morale, and teamwork, hindering the unit’s ability to function cohesively.
• Medical Costs: Drug addiction can lead to serious health problems, placing a financial burden on military healthcare resources.

Components of a Regular Drug Enforcement Program

To maintain a drug-free environment, the military employs a multi-pronged approach:

• Drug Testing: Regular and random drug testing helps identify and deter drug use.
• Education and Awareness Programs: Service members receive ongoing education about the dangers of drug use and the UCMJ regulations.
• Counseling and Rehabilitation: Programs exist to help service members struggling with addiction seek treatment and recovery.
• Law Enforcement: Military law enforcement actively investigates and prosecutes drug offenses within the ranks.

Conclusion

The UCMJ’s strict stance on drugs and the need for a regular drug enforcement program stem from the military’s essential requirement for a healthy, disciplined, and ready force. Drug use undermines these core values and poses a significant threat to the military’s ability to carry out its missions effectively and safely. By enforcing a zero-tolerance policy, the military strives to maintain a high level of operational readiness and protect its service members and the nation’s security. Should you test positive in a urinalysis or get caught up in a drug sting operation, give the military defense lawyers at Cave & Freeburg, LLP, a call or write to mljucmj@court-martial.com.