Pubdate: Fri, 07 Jun 2002 Source: Australian, The (Australia) Copyright: 2002 News Limited Contact: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/35 Author: Benjamin Haslem DEAD SAILOR SPURS DRUG TEST PLAN THE board of inquiry investigating the disappearance of a sailor from HMAS Darwin last month is considering recommending drug and alcohol tests for navy crews. The board was told yesterday that one of six sailors reported to have drunk heavily with Leading Seaman Cameron Gurr on the night he disappeared overboard near Christmas Island had just returned from an alcohol rehabilitation program. Mary Ferguson, co-ordinator of the navy drug and alcohol program, told the board in Sydney she would support random blood and urine tests for naval crews. Peter Baston, counsel assisting the inquiry, told The Australian the board was considering recommending random testing in its final report, due later this month. Lieutenant-Commander Ferguson said she would recommend that sailors returning from alcohol rehabilitation should be kept onshore for at least 12 months. Rehabilitated sailors needed access to Alcoholics Anonymous and one-on-one contact with counsellors, which was not possible when they were at sea, she said. But she stopped short of recommending that the sailors' ration of two cans of beer a day be stopped and ships made dry. The board has heard a party of up to seven sailors had drunk their beer ration and then gone through a 750ml bottle of scotch and 1125ml bottle of bourbon on the night of May 3. Gurr, 20, who was not found despite a three-day sea and air search, had excused himself to go to the toilet about 11.30pm but did not return. He was missing the following morning. An able seaman who said he was Gurr's best friend told the board yesterday Gurr did not appear overly depressed about a break-up with his girlfriend. The girlfriend had emailed Gurr a week before his disappearance saying their relationship was over. The hearing continues. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager