20 axed over test fails Soldiers in drugs shame

TWENTY- ONE Townsville soldiers have “failed” in their duty after being caught taking drugs.

Results from the Australian Defence Force’s Prohibited Substance Testing Program obtained by the Townsville Bulletin through a Freedom of Information request revealed 21 army members were caught with drugs in their system from January 2019 to April this year.

One soldier is lucky to have kept their place in the army after testing positive to cocaine, everyone else was terminated. It is unclear why this soldier was able to remain in the ADF and instead given an administrative sanction.

3rd Brigade Commander Brigadier Kahlil Fegan said soldiers needed to train and be prepared to defend Australia and its national interests.

“Our professionalism, selfdiscipline and ability to follow direction has and will continue to define us both in training and when deployed on operations,” Brig Fegan said.

“Those individuals who make the decision to take illegal substances have failed in this respect.”

The most common drug used was ecstasy, having been detected in nine people.

Cocaine followed as the second most popular drug, having been taken by five soldiers.

Only two members of the Royal Australian Air Force returned positive test results in 2019, with none this year.

One person was terminated after cannabis was detected in their system, with the other retained with a warning for having been caught using anxiety relief medication.

A Defence Department spokesman said mental health support services were available to personnel struggling with the use of drugs.

“Defence has zero tolerance to the use of, or involvement with, prohibited substances – including the illegal use of prescription, or the misuse of over-the-counter drugs – by any of its members,” he said.

“Defence provides health and drug education initiatives to Australian Defence Force members.

“Where an ADF member tests positive for a prohibited substance, and is subject to administrative action, they are afforded the opportunity to make a case to remain in the ADF. The decision to retain or terminate an ADF member is dependent on the individual circumstances of the case.”

ADF personnel can

1800 628 036 for help.

Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling can be contacted on 1800 011 046. call