MILITARY DRUGS

There is good news from the U.S. military regarding the use of illegal drugs. A new survey shows that overall drug use has dropped about 90 percent since 1980.

There are a number of reasons for the improved figures, analysts say. Among them are a tough enforcement policy, changes in attitudes by American society and significant shifts in military demographics.

The military's zero-tolerance policy on drug use appears to be weeding out those who turn to drugs while on active duty. Instead of looking the other way or allowing multiple offenses, users are booted out. While there was no attempt in the study to make a correlation, it must still be wondered if such zero-tolerance also would make a dent if families, schools and workplaces had similar stringent rules.

The study indicated that society in general is changing its attitudes about illegal drug use. The casual drug users of the 1960s and 1970s are parents and grandparents now, and many of them have left the drug scene and are trying to deal with keeping future generations off drugs in spite of their own involvement 25 or 30 years ago.

Probably the most important factor in the decline of drugs in the military, however, is the selectivity and higher standards that go hand in glove with an all-volunteer military serving in peacetime.

Recruiters nowadays place a lot of emphasis on weeding out drug users before they get into the military, even if they meet other criteria. And recruits and career military personnel alike are dealt with severely if they are found to be drug users.

This no-nonsense approach sends a clear signal: use drugs, and you are out of the military. This tends to foster a pride in high standards that make enforcement even easier.

The nation's so-called war on drugs is alternately called a miserable failure or a qualified success, depending on who is speaking. But the military statistics are encouraging, because they show that tough policies and consistent enforcement can produce desired results.