ARMY DRUG WAR
THE Defence Force has vowed to ramp up its hard- line stance against illegal drugs as data reveals almost 80 Townsville soldiers have been dismissed after failing tests over the past five years.
Results from the Australian Defence Force’s Prohibited Substance Testing Program, obtained by the Townsville Bulletin through a freedom of information request, showed 33 Townsville army personnel recorded positive test readings for illicit drugs in 2012- 13, 16 in 2013- 14, 15 in 2014- 15, 22 in 2015- 16 and 10 in 2016- 17. Steroids were the drugs most commonly detected, found in some form in 26 tests.
That was followed by cannabis ( 21 positive readings), methamphetamines ( 19), amphetamines ( 18) and ecstasy ( 14).
The Department of Defence has confirmed over the next 12 months it will further toughen its hard- line testing regimen, trialling additional hair and saliva test methods to detect prohibited substances, as well as current urinalysis.
ALMOST 80 Townsville Army personnel have been kicked out of the Australian Army in the past five years after testing positive for drugs including ecstasy, cannabis and steroids.
The revelation comes as the Department of Defence confirms over the next 12 months it will ramp up its hard- line testing regimen, trialling additional hair and saliva test methods to detect prohibited substances, as well as current urinalysis.
Results from the Australian Defence Force’s Prohibited Substance Testing Program, obtained by the Bulletin through a freedom of information request, showed 33 Townsville Army personnel recorded positive test readings for illicit drugs in 2012- 13, 16 in 2013- 14, 15 in 2014- 15, 22 in 2015- 16 and 10 in 2016- 17.
Steroids were the drugs most commonly detected, found in some form in 26 tests.
That was followed by cannabis ( 21 positive readings), methamphetamines ( 19), amphetamines ( 18) and ecstasy ( 14).
Just one person was busted for use of opiates, with 10 caught for use of benzodiazepines and six for cocaine.
Many of the 96 offending personnel were caught with more than one illicit substance in their system.
Five initial positive test results were later deemed to be negative.
Six personnel received formal warnings, one was censured and two escaped serious punishment after self- referring their drug problems to senior officers.
Three personnel from the last financial year are currently having their cases processed.
The remaining 79 were discharged from the army.
Defence Personnel Minister Dan Tehan said the use of drugs was incompatible with an effective and efficient defence force as it could undermine health, safety, discipline, morale, security and reputation.
“The use of prohibited substances is illegal,” he said.
“Prohibited substance use by members leads to reduced performance, health impairment and gives rise to occupational health and safety risks.”
The ADF Prohibited Substance Testing Program was introduced in 2005 with urinalysis as the mode of testing. At least 25 per cent of De- fence members are tested annually.
A Department of Defence spokesman said it could not provide a specific reason for the decrease in the number of positive test results occurring in Townsville from 2012- 13 to 2016- 17, other than confirming positive test results declining in the ADF was a national trend.
“The ADF does not tolerate the use of, or involvement with, prohibited substances, including the illegal use of prescribed, or the misuse of over- the- counter drugs,” the spokesman said.
“Defence’s approach to the deterrence of prohibited substance use is multifaceted and incorporates prohibited substance testing as well as health and drug education initiatives supported by appropriate ADF- wide policies.”
In May this year, a former 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regi- ment soldier was jailed for 3 ½ years for his part in trafficking methamphetamine ( ice) and MDMA ( ecstasy).
The soldier’s lawyer told the Townsville Supreme Court there had been a culture of social drug use among troops at the time of his offending.
During a police raid in November 2015, officers found $ 6530 cash under the soldier’s mattress as well as
PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE USE BY MEMBERS LEADS TO REDUCED PERFORMANCE, HEALTH IMPAIRMENT AND GIVES RISE TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS.
MINISTER DAN TEHAN
scales and utensils for drug use. In the same month, police executed a separate search warrant of another soldier’s room where they found MDMA tablets, Viagra and a mobile phone used to source the drugs.
Commander 3rd Brigade Brigadier Chris Field said Defence had a longstanding and firm “zero tolerance approach to drugs” and the hierarchies within units at Lavarack Barracks tried to enforce that.
“We don’t think drugs are good for people’s health and they’re also not safe to use in the workplace,” he said.
Brig Field said the number one concern was that soldiers had access to vehicles and weapons, and led other people, “and that is incompatible with drug use”.
Brig Field said 3rd Brigade worked locally with Queensland Police to educate soldiers on the dan- gers of drugs and co- operated with any investigations.
“Our view is that our people are educated and they need to make a decision to not take drugs, and they know that from the moment they join the army,” he said.
“We have young Australians who are doing an important job for our nation and we need to make sure we do that safely. We owe that to the Australian people.”
Defence members who return a positive test result for a prohibited substance face administrative action, which may include termination, unless there is a legitimate and medically supported reason for use.
Most are afforded the opportunity to make a case for their continued retention in the ADF.
“The decision to retain or terminate a member who returns a positive prohibited substance test result is made after careful consideration of the member’s circumstances,” the Defence spokesman said.
OUR PEOPLE ARE EDUCATED AND THEY NEED TO MAKE A DECISION TO NOT TAKE DRUGS, AND THEY KNOW THAT FROM THE MOMENT THEY JOIN THE ARMY
BRIGADIER CHRIS FIELD [ PICTURED]
If you are a Defence member having difficulty with mental health or with prohibited substances, contact the Defence Support Service on 1800 IM SICK ( 1800 467 425), the All- Hour Support Line on 1800 628 036 or the Veterans and Veterans’ Families Counselling Service located throughout Australia.