Recruiters armed with drug-test kits

[unhappycamper]

Recruiters armed with drug-test kits
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 22, 2008 14:21:11 EST

Marine recruiters are stocking low-tech drug testing kits and conducting preliminary screenings on potential recruits before taking them to a Military Entrance Processing Station, where they get their official drug test.

Officials say the new test is to prevent busy recruiters from wasting time taking a prospect up for processing only to see him kicked out of the MEPS because of a failed drug test.

“It allows recruiters to better screen applicants for possible drug use, thereby reducing wasted time on applicants who would be disqualified,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Griffin, a spokesman at Marine Corps Recruiting Command. “We want to make sure we are weeding out those who are not eligible.”

There are 65 MEPS nationwide. The process of preparing the necessary paperwork, along with driving a prospective recruit to the nearest facility, can be costly and time consuming for individual recruiters.

The new Non-Instrumental Drug Tests were tried out in some recruiting locations early last year, and the program was extended to recruiting stations nationwide in July, Griffin said.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/02/marine_drugtest_080222/