VOL. 12, No. 2 BUCKEYE GUARD Magazine is an un­ official, bimonthly offset publication iri which the views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Depart­ ment of the Army or the Adjutant General of Ohio. The magazine, published in ac­ cordance with AR360-81, is a product of the Public Affairs Office, Ohio Adjutant General's Department, 2825 W Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio 43235-2712; (614) 889-7000; AV 273-7000. Letters to theed­ itor, questions or comments about the magazine should be directed to the above address. Winter Survival................................................ 16 STATE OF OHIO ADJUTANT GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT State Commander-In-Chief Gov. Richard F. Celeste Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Richard C. Alexander Asst. AG, Army Brig. Gen. Thomas D. Schulte Asst. AG, Air Brig. Gen. Robert E. Preston Public Affairs Officer 1LT. James T. Boling Down Under .................................................... 2 Editor SFC Donald R. Lundy Contributors: Becky A. Haden, Secy. Spt. 196th P.A.D. Photojournalists HQ STARC 10 Photojournalists Maggie Puskar, Illustrator BUCKEYE GU ARD Magazine has been rec­ ognized by Department of the Anny as the best of its kind among Active Army, Army Re­ serve and National Guard publications world­ wide. In addition to the 1985 Department of Top Air NCO .................................................... 14 the Army Keith L. Ware Award, BUCKEYE GU ARD has been recognized for profes­ sional excellence in journalism with the fol­ lowing awards: Department of Defense, Thomas Jefferson Award - 1982; Keith L. Ware Award - 1977, 1979, 1982, 1984; Na­ DEPARTMENTS tional Guard Association of the United States, Best Newspaper Award - 1982, 1984, and Buckeye Briefs ....................... , ................................... 26 1985. People ................................................................... 28-30 Buckeye Guard Spring '88 Pg. 3 BY DON MATHIS Q. Will drinking large amounts of Q. What should be done if a person do this prior to giving your sample. HQ, Ohio Air National Guard vinegar or pickle juice have any effect is unable to provide a urine sample or Be aware tha1 there is no legal med­ on the test? is unable to provide a full sample? ical use in the military for THC, the We have been involved in drug A. For the radioimmunoassay/gas A. That person should be given a active ingredient in marijuana. testing of military members for over liquid chromatography (RIA) and the reasonable amount of time and liq­ Q. How many ways can I be told to a year. As I travel around the state gas chromatography/mass spectro­ uids to stimulate sample giving. Rea­ get tested? with the Ohio Air National Guard metry (GOMS) test used by the Air sonable time is determined by the A. There are three; random selec­ Headquarters staff on assistance vis­ Force - no. local commander. If after a reason­ tion; command directed; and com­ its one of my jobs is to see that unit Q. How about the use of diureters able time a person can't provide or mand directed for probable cause. drug test programs are run correctly. such as Lasixl refuses to provide a sample, a com­ Random selection may be accom­ I am also asked many questions A. These substances work the mander may consider taking action plished on any member of the unit. about drug testing. Over the last same as drinking large amounts of regarding failure to obey a lawful or­ Command directed is usually done year and a half I have accumulated a liquids. But remember most diuret­ der. because the commander has re­ number of common questions. This ics are prescription drugs. The im­ Q. If I was at a party the night be­ ceived information ind icating you article is an attempt to answer most p roper procu rement and use of fore I'm tested and someone there was might be involved in drug use. Di­ questions that you may have. While these drugs is illegal under both fed­ smoking marijuana and I inhale the rected for probable cause is used I will address only the military pro­ eral law and the UCMJ. The key is in smoke, will I test positive? when observed behavior indicates gram, you will find that many of the keeping who is to be tested confi­ A. That depends on the test used. your actions are not considered nor­ answers are also applicable to the ci­ dential, provide as little lead as pos­ Research has shown that marijuana mal ; i.e., conti nued attempts to vilian testing programs. Please re­ sible for testing after notification, passive inhalation, as it is called, will walk through a solid wall. member that these answers address and allow reasonable amounts of liq­ cause a positive if the GC/MS is Q. Is there any sure way to make the Air Force/Air National Guard test uids when they are requested. used. However, the first test used by sure I don't test positive! program which is "State of the Art" Q. Can other foreign substances af­ the Air Force is the RIA which does A. Yes, just say no! If you haven't in science. fect the outcome of the Air Force test? not test below 100 ng/ml per sample. used, you can't be accused. Q. Does the drug test program Are there precautions that can be Since research into passive inhala­ Q. Alcohol is a drug too and lots of really prevent people from doing takenl tion indicates that even in the most people in my unit drink. What about drugs? A. Yes and no. I have heard claims closed areas a person would accu­ that! of using bleach crystals, salt, sugar, mulate approximately 50 ng/ml and A. Alcohol is a legal drug and as A. No, but it does deter. The pos­ household cleaner, jet fuels, and this amount dissipates in about five long as its users don't let it affect job sibility of being randomly selected at other substances on the fingertips or hours, the level of 100 ng/ml, which performance they are ok, however, any time docs have a cooling effect on adhesive bandages on the finger­ is twice that of 50 ng/ml, would not the moment it does, they are subject on drug use and abuse. tips. These are attempts to change be reached. Thus, the GOMS test to the same regulations that govern Q. Can drinking large amounts of the Ph or acidity of urine to be would not be used. A better answer drug use and abuse. other chemical~ dilute illegal drugs to tested. As far as the RIA and GC/MS is - if you are at a party and they are Q. How sure are you that the tests the point that they can't be detected? tests are concerned they are a waste smoking marijuana, leave. are accurate and are conducted cor­ A. Yes, but read on . Large of time. My advice is that if someone Q. Do they test for all the illegal rectly and f airlyl amounts of liquids do increase urine seeks to wash their hands prior to drugs that could be used? A. I have myself tested by every output and as this output increases, testing, let them. A. No. The lab tests all samples major unit we visit each year. That's the amount of detectable drugs de­ Q. How widespread is drug testing for THC, the active ingredient in five test results a year. I feel the tests creases. When we combined this and will we eventually be involved in marijuana and they test for cocaine. are pretty accurate and conducted with a time factor we can reach a civilian drug testing! Ten percent of each batch are tested by very professional Ohio ANG per­ point where drugs can no longer be A. At the present time drug test­ for other drugs, but we do not know sonnel. I stake my career on it. detected. However, since our policy ing is becoming more widespread, SUBSTANCE ABUSE: for what drugs they are testing. If you have additional questions is that personnel should be notified especially in the areas of public Q. What if my doctor is treating me about drug testing ask your Drug just prior to being tested, th is pre­ safety. Between 40 and 50 percent of with some legal drugs which would in­ and Alcohol Abuse Prevention NCO, cludes any attempt to superhydrate. Fortune 500 Compani es conduct dicate positive if I were tested? Social Actions personnel, or medical Personnel are allowed to drink a rea­ drug testing of new employees. We Questions and Answers A. Have your doctor send a letter· personnel. You can also write to me, sonable amount of liquids if they re­ are already testing our military mem­ directly to your unit indicating the Major Don A. Mathis, HQ, Ohio quest it but there is no way they bers in the Air Guard. These individ­ To Myths About Drug Testing drugs that are being used to treat ,ANG, Bldg. 440, Rickenbacker you or your medical or Social Ac­ could drink enough to prevent de­ uals make up 95% of our technician (A Comnentary.) ANGB, Columbus, Ohio 43217-5001. tection. work force. tions personnel will tell you how to • Pg. 4 Buckeye Guard Spring '88 Buckeye Guard Spring '88 Pg. 5 • GOLD MINER EDUCATION owner of the mine right now, I'd like to acquire an interest in it by working there." White said last summer he was OPTIONS ab le to garner about 20 ounces of gold from surface samples. White said the hot desert temperatures forced him and his fellow workers BY DAVID BIROS stricted to undergraduate use. Also, to stay in the shade most of the 196th Public Affairs Detachment ACES will pay 100 percent for so l­ time.