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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Major Gen. Raymond Fox, the II Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, implemented a new counter drug campaign Feb. 1 for all units under the II MEF command.
Major Gen. Raymond Fox, the II Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, implemented a new counter drug campaign Feb. 1 for all units under the II MEF command.
Fox said the intent of the campaign is to deter drug use through unit commander-led counter drug actions and it will augment the current Marine Corps-wide anti-drug program.
The campaign’s added measures include increased health and comfort inspections, random vehicle checks and use of military police working dogs to aid in drug searches.
“The goal ultimately is to get rid of substance abuse within II MEF,” said Master Sgt. Joel Whitmoyer, the II MEF command substance abuse control officer. “The campaign provides stepping stones to achieve that goal.”
The campaign is split into four enduring phases to guide unit commanders in the best methods to deter drug use amongst Marines and sailors.
The four phases each have specific directives and each one will be progressively enforced as the next phase begins. The four phases are: education of identifying and deterring illegal drug use, shaping the program to be more effective, implementing proactive operations, and sustained drug deterrence.
Lt. Col. Joseph Delaney, 8th Communications Battalion commanding officer, said he believed the campaign will be effective and he will utilize tools the campaign provides. “An attitude of deterrence will stop impressionable Marines from making mistakes,” said Delaney.
With the start of the campaign, II MEF unit commanders understand the necessity to “up their game” and apply tactics and techniques to deter Marines from using drugs, said Col. Michael Brown, the G-10 assistant chief of staff for II MEF.
A Counter Drug Detachment was established within 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion to help meet the goals of the Counter Drug Campaign. Commanders can request support from the detachment to help units fill the requirements laid out by the campaign.
“We re-assessed last year’s campaign, its strengths and weaknesses, and came to the determination that there’s still a drug threat within II MEF,” said 1st Lt. Jonathan Sackerman, the Counter Drug Detachment’s officer in charge. “Providing the educational tools and resources to the commanders is the best start to this campaign.”
The detachment can provide support to units under II MEF upon request. The types of support include unit safety and education briefs to teach commanders how to properly enforce the campaign’s regulations.
During each phase, the detachment will work with the Provost Marshal Office, 2nd Law Enforcement Bn. and Naval Criminal Investigative Services in to sustain drug deterrence. These agencies will form a Counter Drug Task Force and use their capabilities to further prevent drug use within II MEF.
“The list of capabilities is continuous and having the agencies work together allows us to effect the drug use within the surrounding area of Camp Lejeune,” said Sackerman.
Overall, the campaign is part of a broader effort to get Marines back to their roots, said Brown.
“Marines need to make decisions we would expect of any Marine, and one of those expectations is to not participate in drug use,” said Brown.
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2014 15:05 |
| Story ID: | 124054 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 127 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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