Pubdate: Sat, 09 Jul 2005
Source: Dominion Post, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 The Dominion Post
Contact:  http://www.dompost.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2550
Author: Kay Blundell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DEFENCE POLICY ON DRUGS 'A JOKE'

The Defence Force's drug policy has been condemned as "a joke" and 
"toothless" by staff who say drug users get repeated warnings before 
dismissal because of problems recruiting new personnel.

Its elimination and zero-tolerance drug policy has come under fire in 
a confidential survey of 1000 army, navy and air force members.

"Drug users are constantly given four or five chances before they are 
dismissed which is due to small unit numbers and unit staff not 
wishing to lose any further members. The policy is a joke and 
soldiers are neither worried about being caught or tested regularly 
enough to deter them," an army junior cadet says.

One in five staff had experimented with drugs since they enlisted, 
the survey found. Nearly two-thirds called for stricter drug-use controls.

"Penalties are not harsh enough, there are no second chances given in 
battle so why is it possible for someone to be a user and obtain rank 
and other privileges, such as overseas tours and postings? The policy 
is toothless - it states zero tolerance but gives people up to four 
chances in some cases," another respondent said.

Lack of consistency when dealing with those who tested positive for 
drugs was the single most significant issue raised by staff.

"I know of three servicemen who were tested positive three times and 
are still serving - another one was discharged after testing positive 
once," said one respondent.

The survey, by Victoria University master of public policy student 
Andrena Patterson, a former army major, is the first of its kind.

"It shows there is a gap between what the ministry says it will do 
and reality. That gap needs to be addressed," she said.

About half those surveyed admitted trying cannabis and about one in 
10 using amphetamines or methamphetamines at some time - rates like 
those for civilians.

Cannabis was the drug of choice, followed by methamphetamine.

Almost 20 per cent of low-ranking staff under 25 had tried drugs 
since they signed up, compared with about 10 per cent of British soldiers.

Victoria University Institute of Policy Studies director Andrew 
Ladley said the comparison should be treated cautiously. The British 
survey of 500 soldiers was done seven years ago. He praised defence 
chiefs for supporting the study, and their positive response to the findings.

Commodore Bruce Pepperell, assistant chief (personnel), said the 
Defence Force was working on a consistent approach among the services.

"Our intention is to keep the current system where we have one 
warning and, depending on the nature of the offence, the person may 
be discharged or given another chance.

"Drugs are a problem in society as a whole. Technically we do not 
take a zero-tolerance stance. We take a holistic approach to drug use 
- - using education, counselling, and treatment as deterrents - and 
believe we have had reasonable success."

More than 3000 drug tests had been done this year within the forces.
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MAP posted-by: Beth