Pubdate: Sun, 28 Oct 2007
Source: Daily Express (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Northern and Shell Media Publications
Contact:  http://www.express.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/145
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

SOLDIERS' DRUG USE 'RISING'

Eighteen members of the Armed Forces a week are testing  positive for 
drug use, it has been disclosed.

The Independent on Sunday reported that official  Ministry of Defence 
figures showed that cocaine use  among service personnel had trebled 
since the start of  the Iraq war in 2003.

Altogether, more than 1,500 have tested positive since  the start of 
2006 in the MoD's random drugs testing  programme - 80% of them for 
class A drugs.

In 2006 alone, 769 members of the Army tested positive  compared to 
518 in 2003 - a 48% increase.

Cocaine accounted for more than half the failed tests -  423 - far 
ahead of cannabis (221) and ecstasy (95).

The MoD said that drug use in the military was far  lower than in 
civilian life and was dealt with  severely.

"Drug misuse is incompatible with life in the Armed  Forces and will 
not be tolerated," a spokesman said.

"A positive test result or the refusal to provide a  specimen will 
normally lead to soldiers being  administratively discharged.

"Positive rates in the Army over the last four years  average around 
0.7%, compared with over 5% in civilian  workplace drug testing 
programmes in the UK.

"Drugs misuse is significantly less prevalent among  service 
personnel than in corresponding civilian  demographic."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom