Army ‘ignoring drug use by recruits’

THE Army is turning a blind eye to drug use by recruits amid fears it is losing too many soldiers, according to reports.

Recruits in the first 14 weeks of training who fail their first drugs test are being “back-squadded”, or returned to early stages of drills, but given the opportunity to pass a second test and remain in the Army, according to The Mail on Sunday.

If they fail a second time, they are dismissed, while fully trained soldiers can expect to be discharged the first time they are caught taking drugs, according to an internal MOD document obtained by the newspaper.

It follows reports that more soldiers are failing drug tests while the Army faces a recruitment crisis.

However, the Army has insisted it is “completely untrue” that its zero-tolerance policy on drugs has been relaxed. A spokesman said: “There has been no relaxation of the long-standing zero-tolerance policy on drug misuse. To suggest otherwise is untrue.”

According to the paper, the document explains the move: “The Army recruits from all parts of society and it recognises that some soldiers come from a background where recreational drug use can be common. It is therefore appropriate to combine strict regulation with a focus on education and nurture for recruits.”

General Lord Richard Dannatt, a former Army chief, said: “The Army needs a 21st century approach to a 21st century problem. This is a societal problem that the Army has to deal with. So I think it makes sense to give a second chance to recruits. But the Army must never tolerate drug-taking in field formation units.”

Recent MOD figures reveal that 700 fully trained service personnel were discharged in 2015 after failing drug tests, mostly testing positive for crack, heroin, LSD or cocaine.

Of these, 630 were soldiers and 70 were from the Royal Navy and RAF.