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Ignorance is dangerous with banned substances

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carl Berry
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Ignorance may be bliss, but it can be dangerous in the context of illegal substances.

Recently the Air Force reported that a popular brand of yogurt uses hemp seed as an ingredient in one of its flavors.

Hemp seed and hemp seed oil are prohibited substances pursuant to Air Force Instructions 44-120 and 44-121, and Airmen who ingest banned substances such as hemp seed may test positive under the Air Force drug testing program.

"All Airmen need to be careful with what they put into their bodies, for both health and legal reasons," said Capt. Trenton Hamilton, 434th Air Refueling Wing deputy staff judge advocate. "The Uniform Code of Military Justice prohibits the wrongful use of illegal substances. Although unknowing or innocent ingestion may be a defense, Airmen who don't pay attention to what they consume are putting themselves in a bad position."

To assist servicemembers in determining whether a product contains banned substances, the Department of Defense's Human Performance Resource Center provides information on dietary supplements at http://hprc-online.org/dietary-supplements. The list, however, is not all inclusive, and Airmen should fully research items in question.

Another potential danger is the use of medicinal marijuana by a military member, said Gary Flook, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron drug demand reduction specialist. Although some state laws, including those around Indiana, may allow for the use of marijuana, Airmen are still prohibited from using it under the UCMJ.

"Military restrictions on drug use were created to ensure military readiness, safeguard the health and wellness of the force, and maintain good order and discipline in the service," shared Hamilton. "The consequences of a knowing violation may include administrative discipline, military discharge, and even possible criminal prosecution."

If Airmen think they may have consumed a prohibited substance, they have a couple of options.

Air Force Instructions allow Airmen to self-identify drug use or possession to the unit commander, first sergeant or a military medical professional. By voluntarily disclosing this information, an Airman may be granted limited protections.

"Another option is to contact the local Area Defense Counsel, who is always available to provide confidential legal advice," said Hamilton.

"Knowing what we take into our bodies is a matter of fitness, wellness, and in this case protecting one's career," concluded Hamilton. "If an Airman is unsure as to whether a product is illegal, he or she should err on the side of caution."

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserce Command.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer