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At least a dozen U.S. sailors under investigation over drug use in Japan

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If stationed IN Singapore waters they would all be facing the death penalty.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I love all the experts here. Both the non-users and the users.

Some drugs ARE addictive. That's been proven. Opiates, Alcohol, Nicotine, Crack, meth, heroin, and many others. However, NOT all drugs are addictive. LSD, Pot, X, and many others are not chemically additive. Certain people become addictive while others don't. Meet someone stuck on heroin or meth, or alcohol, they will explain those additions.

I'm lucky. All the pot and cocaine use didn't get me addicted. I saw friends get addicted to cocaine.

I believe some people have a genetic disposition for different drug addictions. My family doesn't have an issue with alcohol, but 1 in-law is completely addicted to it and destroyed his life 5 times, losing his medical license each time.

As a libertarian, I say recreational use of any substance should be allowed by an adult, provided it doesn't harm anyone else. It isn't any of my business any more than eating 2 lbs of candy, drinking 5 sodas or a whole pizza isn't my business when someone else does that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This "drug use" by American Service people is just terrible! Could this be another sign of where America is heading?

Where to begin....let me guess, you have absolutely zero idea of the history of drugs and the US military, not only in Japan, but world wide.

The U.S. Navy has zero tolerance for drug abuse and takes all allegations involving misconduct of our Sailors, Navy civilians and family members very seriously."

Folks should be looking at the Stars and Stripes and other "western" media outlets for more "informative" reporting than here on JT. THe following is BS.

The report said the navy learned about the suspected drug sales Tuesday when it received a tip about drug use by a petty officer. The case came to light just days after the crew of the Ronald Reagan were issued a two-day drinking ban after some members caused disturbances over drinks.

The allegations came to light on Feb. 6 when the Navy received a tip that a sailor had been using illegal drugs. The sailor was detained before leading investigators to others aboard the carrier who he claimed were distributing or using illegal substances, according to the Wall Street Journal report.

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/japan-based-sailors-suspected-of-buying-selling-using-illegal-drugs-1.511007

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Chickens come home to roost.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Banning drugs is like banning sex. Good luck with that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The melting wall thing on LSD is actually pretty awesome. It’s really interesting to watch, knowing that it’s not real. Oh its real when you become addicted

LSD is not addictive

get a pair of 3D goggles and you can watch whatever hallucinations you want without the bad side effects to your health.

LSD is not bad for your health.

The biggest weakness of drug addiction is not having the nads to say no to it in the first place!

Most drug users never get addicted. So there isn’t a need to say no in the first place.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The melting wall thing on LSD is actually pretty awesome. It’s really interesting to watch, knowing that it’s not real. Oh its real when you become addicted, get a pair of 3D goggles and you can watch whatever hallucinations you want without the bad side effects to your health. The biggest weakness of drug addiction is not having the nads to say no to it in the first place! Same goes with smoking and alcohol abuse.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Drugs. There seem to be a lot of drugs, wherever one goes. The armed forces test for many types of drugs, and if the test comes up positive, there are definitely consequences. Many jobs in the Navy and USAF require technical expertise and a security clearance. Having a drug test come up positive is likely to cause one to lose the security clearance, and thus one's career (unless one works at the White House) is over. Maybe for grunts a security clearance is less necessary.

Seems to me that some of the drugs on the street these days, like meth, can cause permanent brain damage. From what I have read, LSD, on the other hand, can have beneficial effects for personality disorders. However, LSD users can also experience flashbacks at unpredictable times, which have an obvious downside if one is supposed to be responsible for complicated and dangerous machinery.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I read a Cary Grant interview years ago. In the interview, he remarked that he had taken LSD on several occasions (maybe back in the 50s) as part of his psychological treatment. This was before there was any stigma. Grant said that LSD had a beneficial effect on him mentally (broadened his thinking was how he put it...I think) and that he never regretted taking it.

I was extremely angry as a young man. Inner rage. LSD helped me get over that. Of course it wasn’t any kind of medical treatment, it was just me having fun with my friends. While on LSD I was forced to confront my inner rage, and why I had it. It allowed me to see the effects of my rage on those around me. It helped me see the world objectively, without the ‘self’ polluting my image of the world.

LSD was nothing but beneficial to me. And it was self regulating - it’s not the kind of drug you want to or are able to take too often.

And yeah, those melting walls look awesome. Hours of entertainment.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

This "drug use" by American Service people is just terrible! Could this be another sign of where America is heading?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Said many times already, time to kick the US forces out of Japan, they are more trouble then what they are worth.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Acid, that is, "Magic Mushrooms" were perfectly LEGAL in Japan, until about 1996?-8 ?

Acid and magic mushrooms, while having similar effects, are entirely different chemicals. Mushrooms were legal until 2002.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I heard thru a source that it was ED medicine. If you think about, being at sea for 3 months and then coming home you would want to use some ED medicine.

After three months at sea, I would think most men would need the opposite if Viagra, like a cold shower.

I'd be a walking hat rack.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I read a Cary Grant interview years ago. In the interview, he remarked that he had taken LSD on several occasions (maybe back in the 50s) as part of his psychological treatment. This was before there was any stigma. Grant said that LSD had a beneficial effect on him mentally (broadened his thinking was how he put it...I think) and that he never regretted taking it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Addiction is more to do with psychological stress and dissociation from your environment. The concept of a chemical "hook" has been refuted (as has the research it was based on) and the vast sums spent on the "war on drugs" have been wasted as it was based on a false premise.

GyGeneToday . A Vietnam war vet.

Then you will remember the considerable drug problem the US army had in Vietnam, and the very considerable fear that a tidal wave of addicts would return to the USA with the return of the troops; it didn't happen because once they were out of the environment that caused the need. back home with family and friends the vast majority just stopped as they no longer needed it.

To cure the problem the US Navy needs to look at the circumstances or conditions that are causing the need in individuals (not all personnel), by providing the support needed to remove the cause will prevent the problem.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Keep looking. There will be more, and more and more.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This isn’t surprising at all. US military recycles bigots and criminals and send them overseas. Most of these so called army men have no honor or sense of values. It’s just another payday for them.

This is something that is said by self serving people who've never dedicated an ounce of themselves to anything beyond what's advantageous to them. They collect just as many pay days and they do it with the comfort of knowing they cannot be sent anywhere, separated from loved ones, and death on the job is as likely as winning the lottery.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

When they find out who has been doing drugs, kick them out of U.S. Navy! Dishonorable discharge. Do not go into the military thinking you can get away with using drugs. Zero, zero tolerance is a must in military. A Vietnam war vet.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

StrangerlandToday 04:58 pm JST

LSD? Had to do a double take on that. That is the one that makes you think the walls are melting?

You make it sound like that's a bad thing.

I'm old enough to remember LSD and I assure you it has no place in an environment with weapons. It's pretty much what you want your enemy to be on. Yea, it's a BAD thing. It goes beyond "recreational" drugs.

"I'm sorry... I was sure we were under attack..."

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Just make it legal. Cuts out all the dodgy dealers and crap product.

And do it out of work hours, of course. With someone who is straight (i.e. not under the influence).

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

the good or positive.

What's the good or positive of warriors ? At best, it's Roman peace, they are inactive, idle, bored, doing drugs, etc. Alternative is them being busy slaughtering ppl.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Plain and simple, it’s all about the $$$$¥¥¥ !!! Yokohama sees as much drug interdiction as Yokosuka due to merchant ships importing drugs into Japan too. Designer drugs can be home grown/manufactured and all others are transported in vis ships and air. GOJ Drug enforcement is excellent and penalties are harsh.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

..by the way, I've got "News" for you ( not Fake ):

Acid, that is, "Magic Mushrooms" were perfectly LEGAL in Japan, until about 1996?-8 ?

You could buy them (if you knew where to look) in Smoke Shops, I knew a store in Nish-Azabu that had them.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Discipline in US Armed Forces not only in Japan but all around the world are questioned since a very long time. Just ask Okinawans. The list of disciplined members (including staff officers) is very long from admirals to privates.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Yep. Do not know what LSD is. Just heard the stories. You make it sound like that is bad thing.

The melting wall thing on LSD is actually pretty awesome. It’s really interesting to watch, knowing that it’s not real.

Say NO to drugs. Drugs bad very bad.

No, there is nothing inherently wrong with intoxicating one’s self, and it’s aomething humanity has been doing since the dawn of time. The problem is abuse of drugs, not drugs themselves.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Flock of birds-pack off dogs but which animal are called a troop? Working class fodder, just like me. X British army.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@katsu78

psychological research is flawed in my opinion,it only represents the determination based on a certain percentage of individuals who participated in the study,Can't use it to gage every individual.

how people deal with bad situations is determined by how much self discipline and the mental fortitude that individual possesses, mind over matter.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I heard thru a source that it was ED medicine. If you think about, being at sea for 3 months and then coming home you would want to use some ED medicine.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

It's a good thing my drugs (alcohol, coffee, and tobacco) are supported by the government. Too bad we have these criminals ruining society by using and selling non-state approved vices.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Say NO to drugs. Drugs bad very bad.

Drugs are neither good, nor bad. They are a tool when used correctly for the individual under the correct situations, just like any other tool.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

@strangerland.

Yep. Do not know what LSD is. Just heard the stories. You make it sound like that is bad thing.

Say NO to drugs. Drugs bad very bad.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

bonesToday  04:44 pm JST

@Bura

There is discipline and then there is self discipline, some people will use drugs no matter the consequences or circumstances, that doesn’t mean their actions should reflect the entire navy or armed forces.

Actually, modern psychological research into addiction does not support that theory. Addiction is less about who you are or how deep a drug's hooks are into you, and more about how bad your situation is that you feel you need an escape.

I don't know that drug and alcohol problems in the US Navy are necessarily higher than the norm, but if they were, it would suggest that the problem should reflect on the entire Navy, as something about the conditions they live in or recruit from pushes people into needing chemical relief from normal consciousness.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

U.S. sailors were suspected of buying, selling and using LSD, ecstasy and other drugs, and the navy was investigating whether they were distributing them to Japanese residents as well.

Distributing them to Japanese residents? They got them from Japanese residents!

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

Yes they are a (disgraceful) reflection of every single military person on that ship. Not fair at all but that’s what happen when you raise your hand and take an oath like that.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

For once , an article that actually puts the Navy in a good light. It shows that the Navy is active in disciplining it's own people and takes drug abuse seriously. This isn't in response to any incident but an in house tip by their own people. They are being open about what's going on and working with local authorities to find out if any locals we're affected. I'm sure people will find a way to spin it negatively though.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

12 idiots do not represent the almost 40,000 good military personnel serving in Japan.

Yes they do. They wear the iuniform, swore an oath and they are most definitely representing the US Military here. Tell the Okinawans that the three Seamen that raped a 12 yr old eleentary school girl aren't an example of Americans. They will cut you off with more stories of civilian murders by SOFA sponsored "best and finest". Maybe if they had named the ship the "Nancy Reagan" they would have just said "no". The USAF personel I have met have all been great but most of my experiences with USN and USMC in Tokyo show them to be full of BS and generally rather stupid. YMMV

11 ( +21 / -10 )

12 idiots do not represent the almost 40,000 good military personnel serving in Japan.

Yes they do unfortunately. In fact, when you take a job like that not only do you represent the other 40,000 members, you also represent your country as well. It reflects incredibly poorly on everyone when even just a single person breaks the law in this way.

13 ( +18 / -5 )

ACID...like wow man.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Nothing new here. All the ships have sort of drugs on them. Only reason that this is news is because the Japanese police being involved. Other wise this is kept in house

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Brings a new perspective to "Support or troops!" LSD causes perceptual instability.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

LSD? Had to do a double take on that. That is the one that makes you think the walls are melting?

You make it sound like that's a bad thing.

4 ( +17 / -13 )

There is so much Meth / "Sha'bu' " in Japan, it's not even funny. (can't Script THAT either).

Ask any high school / jr high kid....my ex told me the schools in Japan are flooded with it, and she's in

her 40's. Imagine what it's like NOW.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

 LSD, ecstasy and other drugs,

Ex. Okay, I can see that. They get off the ship and its go time. Off to the club.

LSD? Had to do a double take on that. That is the one that makes you think the walls are melting?

What other drugs? How can you get or smuggle drugs aboard an aircraft carrier?

Drop ship mail? Say bye bye to your career.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

''@ BurakuminDes: 12 idiots do not represent the almost 40,000 good military personnel serving in Japan.

11 ( +19 / -8 )

@Bura

There is discipline and then there is self discipline, some people will use drugs no matter the consequences or circumstances, that doesn’t mean their actions should reflect the entire navy or armed forces.

It interesting how so much focus and attention is given to negativity and very if any is given to the good or positive.

-1 ( +11 / -12 )

You really couldnt script it! Clearly there is a major discipline issue within the US forces stationed here - they need to look at rectuitment. These dopes make it hard for all the good men and women. I guess when pay is so poor, you wont exactly end up with a pool of high quality candidates?

5 ( +21 / -16 )

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