PACIFIC OCEAN - Forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) conducted its first synthetic compound urinalysis Aug. 11.

The urinalysis testing for synthetic chemical compounds such as spice was directed from NAVADMIN 082/12 to implement the military substance abuse prevention and control program.

"The urinalysis program overall is a random sampling of Sailors to ensure compliance with the Navy's policy on drug use," said Capt. Daniel Dusek, commanding officer of Bonhomme Richard.

Spice is a synthetic drug designed to impair users. The Navy is conducting urinalyses to confront illegal substances such as spice and other synthetic compounds to ensure Sailor safety outside and within the working environment.

Honor, courage and commitment are the Navy's core values. These values are the ethos of the United States Navy and guide Sailors to set a higher standard.

"We're doing a command sweep because it's authorized by the CO in order to test the entire ship to ensure the integrity of our Sailors aboard," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Cornelius Johnson.

"The urinalysis program is the command's best way to be in compliance with the Navy's zero tolerance drug policy," said Lt. j.g. Ann Tuddenham, Staff Judge Advocate for Commodore Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 11.

This program is in place to test and protect Sailors from illegal drug use and to maintain the high standard of the United States Navy.

"We wanted to take the lead in this specific urinalysis to test for synthetic (chemicals)," said Lt. Antonio Williams, security officer aboard USS Bonhomme Richard. "So everyone is subject to testing."

"Spice is used in the United States and, according to the Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) in Sasebo, there is spice used in and around Japan," said Dusek. "We want to make sure that we are in step with the ships in the U.S. so we are going to do testing for spice as well."