Airman Faces Drug Charge Over Adderall

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative file photo. Edmund Diaz, 60th Medical Operations Squadron drug testing program administrative manager, prepares an Airman for a urinalysis test at the Drug Demand Reduction Program office at Travis Air Force Base, California, in April 2011. Tech. Sgt. Thomas Goddard says a random urinalysis later detected amphetamines from Adderall prescribed by a military doctor, leading to an Article 112a charge. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Katie Batchelder)

An Air Force technical sergeant approaching 16 years of military service says his career is in jeopardy after a random drug test detected amphetamines from Adderall that he says was prescribed by a military doctor.

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Goddard, 40, is stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California.

Goddard told Military.com that he was diagnosed with ADHD about five years ago while serving as an Air Force recruiter and was prescribed Adderall by a military physician.

He says the prescription has remained active ever since.

In early July, Goddard was selected for a random urinalysis.

Several weeks later, his first sergeant brought him to Security Forces, where investigators told him the test had come back positive for amphetamines.

That result itself was not necessarily surprising.

Adderall contains amphetamine salts, and Air Force guidance specifically recognizes that prescription medications used to treat ADHD can produce positive amphetamine results during military drug testing.

Goddard told investigators that he had an active Adderall prescription.

According to his account, Security Forces then contacted David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base.

Goddard says the medical center confirmed with investigators that he had been prescribed the medication.

He told Military.com that a Security Forces investigator then said the case would likely be determined to be unfounded and sent him back to work.

For about a month, Goddard said nothing else happened.

Then his first sergeant contacted him again.

Goddard learned that his security clearance had been pulled and that the investigation had continued despite what he says was confirmation of his prescription.

He went to the Area Defense Counsel seeking legal advice.

Goddard said he also checked with his medical providers and confirmed that his prescription had not lapsed.

Several days later, according to Goddard, Security Forces called him back.

This time he says he was booked.

He was fingerprinted.

He was photographed.

And he says he was charged under Article 112a of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which covers wrongful use, possession and distribution of controlled substances.

No final disciplinary decision has been made.

Military.com reported that the investigative report is now expected to go to Goddard's commander, who will determine whether to take action such as nonjudicial punishment or another course.

There has been no reported court martial conviction, Article 15 finding or discharge decision.

That distinction matters.

At this stage, much of what is known about the individual case comes directly from Goddard.

The 60th Air Mobility Wing confirmed that it conducts military drug testing under Department of the Air Force rules but declined to discuss Goddard's specific medical information or legal case.

The wing said it takes suspected violations of military standards seriously.

But the Air Force's own published drug testing rules raise an obvious question about how a positive result involving a legitimate prescription is supposed to be handled.

Department of the Air Force Manual 44 197 says some positive drug results can result from drugs used for legitimate medical purposes.

Because of that, certain results must be evaluated by a qualified medical review officer.

Amphetamines are explicitly included on that list.

The guidance says positive results for amphetamines require medical review before notification of the member's unit commander.

The medical review officer examines available medical and dental records to determine whether a legitimate medical explanation exists for the positive result.

Older Air Force guidance describes the same basic safeguard even more directly.

An Air Force Drug Demand Reduction official explained that when a member tests positive for a prescription medication, the result is reviewed by a medical review officer.

If the member has a legal prescription, the test is then reported as negative and no further action is required.

Air Force guidance has also specifically warned that medications used to treat ADHD can trigger positive amphetamine tests, while distinguishing legitimate prescribed use from taking someone else's medication or using a prescription outside its authorized period.

That makes the unresolved issue in Goddard's case more specific than simply whether Adderall can produce a positive drug test.

It can.

The question is why Goddard says the investigation continued after his military medical provider reportedly confirmed that the prescription was legitimate.

The Air Force has not publicly provided its explanation because officials say they cannot discuss the details of his medical or legal case.

Goddard says the consequences have already reached beyond the investigation.

He told Military.com that losing his security clearance has affected his work and his chances for advancement.

As a technical sergeant, he is also reaching the stage of his career when retirement benefits become increasingly significant.

Next month will mark 16 years of military service, according to the report.

Goddard says he fears that disciplinary action could ultimately cost him his career, retirement eligibility or the character of his eventual discharge.

Whether any of those consequences actually occur will depend on what his commander and the military justice system decide next.

For now, the central facts remain disputed in an important way.

Goddard says he took medication prescribed by a military physician, tested positive for the substance contained in that medication, had the prescription confirmed by the military hospital and was later fingerprinted, photographed and booked for suspected wrongful drug use anyway.

The Air Force confirms there is a legal matter involving Goddard but has not publicly explained why the case continued.

(Source: OAF Nation)