Navy to separate 15 sailors in drug probe

By Erik Slavin, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, July 3, 2009

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — The Navy is separating 15 USS George Washington sailors as it intensifies efforts to discourage the use and distribution of several off-limits drugs sold legally in Japan, officials said Tuesday.

Spice, touted by some as an alternative to marijuana because it is not illegal under U.S. federal law, and several other substances were named in a June 25 order signed by Rear Adm. Richard Wren, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan. The order clarifies and extends a 2005 order from the secretary of the Navy that banned use of designer drugs, natural substances and chemicals "with the intent to induce intoxication, excitement or stupefaction of the central nervous system."

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