THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR PERSONNEL OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE TESTIFIED BEFORE A CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE THAT THE USE OF HARD DRUGS BY AIR FORCE PERSONNEL HAS BEEN DECLINING SINCE THE END OF THE VIETNAM CONFLICT, AND THAT THE USE OF MARIJUANA HAS REMAINED STABLE. DRUG ABUSE TRENDS, HOWEVER, VARY GEOGRAPHICALLY. AMONG PERSONNEL IN THE PACIFIC AREA, DRUG ABUSE HAS DECLINED, WHEREAS USE OF HARD DRUGS HAS INCREASED AMONG PERSONNEL IN GERMANY AND GREAT BRITAIN. THE AIR FORCE HAS DESIGNED A DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT SYSTEM TO ENABLE SENIOR COMMANDERS TO JUDGE THE EXTENT OF THE DRUG PROBLEM AT EACH OF THE BASES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM PERMITS THE DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTERMEASURES COMMENSURATE WITH THE DRUG ENVIRONMENT AND ABUSE PATTERNS AND ALLOWS THE MONITORING OF CONTROL PROGRAMS. ALL PERSONNEL AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES RECEIVE MANDATORY DRUG ABUSE EDUCATION UPON ARRIVAL AT OVERSEAS BASES OF ASSIGNMENT. WELFARE AND RECREATION PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT ALL INSTALLATIONS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO DRUG ABUSE. OTHER PREVENTION PROGRAMS INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT, DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS, COUNSELING PROGRAMS, AND URINALYSIS TESTING FOR ANY AIRMAN SUSPECTED OF DRUG ABUSE. METHODS OF SUSPECT IDENTIFICATION ARE DISCUSSED. TABULAR DATA IS PROVIDED. (TWK)