4 - The Black Vault

THE BDM CORPORATION
Hurst, Cook, and Ramsey conclude this assessment of drug
prevalence studies in the Army by observing, -'The use of a brief, anonymous,
confidential self-report form provides rates which are most probably
nearer the actual rates of illicit use, mainly because the self-report has
less potential for error and because it
estimated over a longer period." 115/
permits drug use patterns to be
5. Drug Abuse
The study by Douglas A. Ramsey for the Army Research Institute
contains the most significant findings relating to various factors which
affect the incidence of drug abuse. 116/
The investigation examined the
roles of leadership, social-organizational forces, and physical/mental
activities which may influence the course of drug abuse.
A study of social-organizational influences on drug abuse was
significantly associated with low morale, boredom, and dissatisfaction with
job, officers, and the insit.itution of the Army in general.
With respect to unit leadership and drug use, the analysts found
that drug use within squads did not appear to be associated with enlisted
men's perceptions of their squad leader's behavior, but was related to
perceived leadership behavior for all other major levels, i.e., platoon
leaders, sergeants, first sergeants, and ccmpany commanders. A significant
finding was that the degree to which various leaders helped members of the
squad achieve their work goals correlated positively with low drug use in
the squad. In addition it was found that the frequency of meetings
involving unit leaders and subordinates over work'-related problems also
corresponded positively with lower frequencies of unit drug usage.
Indications showed that when alternative programs for the
development of self-esteem, such as karate lessons, were carried over a
long period of time there wac potential for a significant decline in drug
usage. Similarly, when transcendental meditation (TM) lessons were carried
over a long period of tinE, the participants tended to show 'changes
mood and outlook with attendant significant decrease in drug involvement."
117/
in
6-40