Military cracks down on drug use

MEMBERS of the Defence Forces who test positive for drugs under a new random screening programme will automatically be dismissed.

One-in-ten members of the army, air corps and naval service will be tested under the Compulsory Random Drug Testing (CRDT) programme introduced last month.

Tests will also be carried out on members of the Reserve Defence Forces, formally known as the FCA and Slua Muire.

So far, three series of tests have been carried out at three locations. However, there are no indications whether any member has tested positive.

A Defence Forces spokesman stressed the scheme was being introduced as a deterrent, particularly for young recruits, and was not indicative of any widespread use of drugs in the military.

“We have no information that we have a particular problem,” Commandant Kieran McDaid said yesterday. “But we have to take account of the increase in drug use among young people.”

The compulsory nature of the programme has drawn criticism from PDFORRA, the association that represents enlisted personnel.

“The vast majority of members would see it as unnecessary. We argued against instant dismissal on the grounds that it might be possible to rehabilitate a drug offender,” the association’s general secretary Gerry Rooney said. However, pressure to provide a drug rehabilitation programme as an alternative to dismissal was rejected.

Mr Rooney also objected to the fact that no difference was being made between hard and soft drugs.

“Someone who smokes a joint will be dismissed the same as someone who takes heroin,” he said. “In the British and German armies they make a distinction.”

While agreeing with the broad principle of a drug-free military, he anticipated a possible legal challenge by someone who has been sacked.

“There is no indication of a drug problem in the Defence Forces. We doubt very much whether this system is warranted.”

The drug screening programme mirrors the system used to test athletes. Members of the Defence Forces will be selected and will be asked to produce a urine sample.

If the sample proves negative, then the specimen and all records will be destroyed. If it is positive, the sample is divided in two with one being retained by the military and the other presented to the individual, who has the option of having it independently tested.

If this second test confirms the first positive test, then the offender has seven days to appeal. If the appeal fails, automatic dismissal will follow, regardless of the person’s rank, according to the military spokesman.

However, he said the offender would not lose accumulated pension or gratuity benefits, though the reason for dismissal will be included in the individual’s reference.