DDR 101 Published Feb. 11, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Patrick Mitchell 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- With the Drug Demand Reduction program testing all active duty, guard, and reserve members, Department of Defense civilians, applicants for the Armed Forces Academies, and Reserve Officers' Training Corps, a lot of misconceptions and rumors circulate. The goal of the Drug Abuse Testing Program is to maintain the health and wellness of a fit and ready fighting force and a drug-free Air Force community. It also deters military members, including those members on initial entry on active duty after enlistment or appointment, from abusing illegal drugs and other illicit substances, according to Air Force Instruction 44-120. "The biggest misconception is that we select the personnel that get tested," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Sankey, one of the Drug Testing Program administrative managers. On testing days, DTPAM's will first obtain the computer-generated list of names of those who have been randomly selected to test and then provide the names to their respective units. Shaw AFB follows strict testing guidelines as outlined in the AFI. That instruction states that active duty personnel will be tested often according to the Department of Defense, Drug Enforcement Policy and Support, and Secretary of the Air Force. Also, testing shall be frequent enough to preclude predictability. "Most people want to do the right thing, then you have some that are dare-devils living life half-heartedly," Tech. Sgt. Brian Sankey said. For those dare-devils it is important to understand that the DDR is here to identify and deter the use of illicit drugs, he added. Individuals whose test samples are positive may face administrative actions including, but not limited to: letters of admonishment, counseling and reprimands, denial of re-enlistment, removal from the personnel reliability program, removal from duties involving firearms, removal from flying status or sensitive duties, suspension of security clearance, and removal of restricted area badges.