STANDING UP A NARCOTIC CONFIRMATION LABORATORY FOR THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION MINISTRY OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR PERSONNEL RELIABILITY PROGRAM

Through a cooperative effort between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Russian Federation (RF) Ministry of Defense (MOD), a Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) for the nuclear handlers within the RF MOD has been implemented. A key element in the RF MOD PRP is the detection and confirmation of narcotic use in subject military and civilian personnel. This paper describes the process of narcotics screening and testing in the RF MOD and explains the confirmation process once screening has shown a positive result. Issues of laboratory certification, employee certification, employee training, sample chain-of-custody, and equipment needs will be addressed.