Pubdate: Mon, 06 Dec 2004
Source: Courier-Mail, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2004 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.thecouriermail.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/98

DUNTROON CADETS IN DRUGS PROBE

Nine officer cadets at Australia's most noted military school,
Duntroon, are being investigated for drug use.

The defence department said the nine were targeted as part of a
military police investigation at the Royal Military College (RMC) today.

The investigation began after other students at Duntroon came forward
with information, Duntroon commandant Brigadier Chris Appleton said.

"Today's operation was the result of an ongoing investigation that was
instigated when members of RMC came forward to raise allegations of
drug use," Brigadier Appleton said.

"That our people continue to come forward to alert the chain of
command to illegal drug use is a clear sign that they will not
tolerate it. They are a key part of the army's fight against drug use."

Brigadier Appleton said the army had a strict no-drugs policy and all
personnel, including cadets, were well aware of the risks and
consequences of the misuse of illegal drugs.

"The army requires its members to maintain high standards of work
performance, behaviour and physical and mental fitness -- the use of
illegal drugs can severely compromise performance and place soldiers
in unnecessary danger," he said.

"Here at Duntroon where we are developing Army's future leaders, we
have an obligation to demand the highest standards."

Cadets who misuse drugs or alcohol face disciplinary and/or
administrative action.

"If they are found to have any involvement in the use of illegal drugs
they will have their service reviewed and will be formally asked to
justify why they should remain in the Australian Army," Brigadier
Appleton said.

He said the investigation should in no way diminish the outstanding
work done by the RMC Duntroon, its staff and most of its cadets.

"The performance of our graduates today on operational service in
Iraq, the Solomons and East Timor is a credit to the quality of our
people and the training and education delivered at RMC. This cannot be
compromised," Brigadier Appleton said.

He encouraged anyone with concerns or information about the use of
illegal substances within the army to come forward.

The cadets were suspended from training pending the outcome of the
initial phase of the investigation, which could be completed tonight.

"If there is not a case to answer I would be delighted to be able to
shake the hands of each of these cadets and welcome them back into
training," Brig Appleton said.

The nine cadets were men and women, and some were in the class
preparing for graduation. They would all have to give urine samples to
investigators.

"In the event that this investigation provides evidence to
substantiate these allegations then those cadets will be required to
show cause as to why their service in the army shouldn't be
discontinued," Brigadier Appleton said.

"These nine cadets have let down themselves, they've let their mates
down, they've let their families down and they've let the army down.

"This place enjoys an enviable international reputation for the
standard of its training and the quality of its graduates. Now I will
not compromise on that reputation or that quality."

Despite no drugs being found on the base, Brig Appleton said he was
not pre-empting the outcome of the investigation.

"The fact that these allegations have been made is an indication of
how seriously the army takes this issue. I would not have initiated
this investigation unless I thought that there was a case to answer."

Military police were continuing their search at the base, and the
Australian Federal Police had been informed of the
investigation.

The cadets were likely to be able to return to training after the
initial investigation, while a broader probe was expected to take
about a week.

Brig Appleton said the last random drug testing at Duntroon was
conducted in May this year. It found no evidence of drug use among
cadets.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin