A Brief Analysis of Pre-service Drug Abuse Waiver Attrition
Abstract
Drug attrition data acquired by PERS-6 were analyzed at Navy Personnel Research, Studies, and Technology (NPRST/PERS-1). These data were merged with May 2005 Enlisted Master File (EMF) data to determine those applicants for Navy enlistment who had positive drug tests while processing for enlistment at MEPS and were subsequently enlisted with a drug waiver. Additionally, trend analysis of this cohort of Sailors was performed for enlistment years 2000 through 2004. This paper does not advocate acceptance or rejection of any particular position. It does, however, suggest that the statistical findings of PERS-6, while technically accurate, do not afford decision-makers with a comprehensive view of this issue. The 85.6 percent attrition rate reported by PERS-6 is based only on those who entered Naval service with drug waivers and were subsequently attrited for drug reasons (n = 1737). An additional 291 persons with drug waivers attrited for other than drug related reasons (n = 1737 + 291 = 2028 total attrites). Drugs attrites (n - 1737) from the total population of those admitted to Naval service with waivers subsequent to positive drug tests at MEPS (N = 4320) is 40.2 percent. However, total attrites (n = 2028) account for 46.9 percent of the entire population; therefore, 53.1 percent of the (N = 4320) Sailors accepted for enlistment with a drug waiver remain on active duty.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA456783
Entities
People
- Geoffrey E. Fedak
- L. A. Jones
Organizations
- Navy Personnel Research, Studies, and Technology