Pubdate: Mon, 19 Nov 2012
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Murray Brewster

CANADIAN MILITARY CONSIDERED EXPANDING DRUG TESTING

OTTAWA-National Defence quietly examined the idea of designating more
positions within the military as "safety sensitive" in order to catch
and punish soldiers for illegal drug use.

Internal documents show the Canadian Forces was particularly
concerned. Over a four-year period, commanders in charge of troops in
Canada's central and western regions lobbied separately to draw up
expanded lists of jobs that would be subject to the enhanced screening.

A spokeswoman for National Defence says the director of military
career administration has not made any changes, and the drug-screening
program has not been expanded but is subject to continuing review.

Concern about possible drug use among troops over the last few years
extended to the top, where the chief of defence staff, now-retired
general Walt Natynczyk, "stated that he is receptive to requests to
designate other positions or occupations as safety sensitive," said a
Nov. 14, 2011, briefing note, obtained by The Canadian Press under the
Access to Information Act.

The Forces considered expanding the number of jobs subject to enhanced
drug screening in 2007, but was halted because it couldn't justify the
invasion of privacy.

The military administer blind drug testing on a regular basis, but the
system results in no disciplinary action if the results come back
positive. More enhanced screening is given to troops who are in
variety of secure positions, and those who deploy overseas.

But according to the briefing note, prepared for the commander of the
army, the blind test "does not have the same deterrent effect."

A proposal from land forces central area, which apparently surfaced in
May 2011, said a series of blind tests administered to troops not
deployed to Afghanistan showed a "a somewhat higher incidence of
illicit drug use" and those higher results "were not seen as
acceptable" by commanders.

"In their view, one way to respond to these results is to have
permanent positions within formations in which (persons) handle
weapons, drive, operate complex machinery and combat vehicles, and
perform high risk activities be designated as safety sensitive," said
the briefing.

The sweeping nature of the proposal required a detailed explanation
and justification for each job, the note said. The absence of that
sort of rationale doomed to failure an earlier attempt to expand
enhanced testing.

"It is the legal requirements surrounding the warrantless intrusion
into a member's privacy that demands a higher standard of
substantiation and our failure to meet this standard was ultimately
responsible for our unsuccessful request in 2007," the note said.

An expert in military law said there are significant privacy
implications involved in such a proposal, but they are more than
outweighed by the public safety concerns of keeping weapons out of the
hands of soldiers suffering with substance abuse problems.

Michel Drapeau, a retired colonel and a leading commentator on access
to information, said the military would be within its rights to impose
a higher standard test over a wider swath of its ranks.

"People have to know, if they're going to take the paycheque and sign
on the dotted line and be trusted these responsibilities, then this
one of the things they'll have to do," said Drapeau. "I don't have a
problem with that because public interest would come first."

He disagrees with the military on the issue of punishment. As long as
enhanced screening is used to spot problems and get soldiers help, it
is a useful tool.

"It shouldn't be a tool for disciplinary action," said Drapeau. "If
someone hasn't passed the test then it needs to be dealt with
compassionately, administratively and medically."

A spokeswoman for defence, Lt.-Cmdr. Meghan Marsaw, said the tests are
already given to those in high-risk occupations, such as
search-and-rescue technicians and submariners, and that the military
does not tolerate illegal drug use.

"Safety is paramount," she said in an email statement. "As such, there
are a number of factors taken into consideration when determining
whether an occupation is deemed safety sensitive.

"Designating a position or occupation as safety sensitive requires
balancing the (Canadian Forces') interest in safety with the member's
privacy and the right to personal security. Generally, positions are
designated safety sensitive if the risk to safety is increased by the
unauthorized use of drugs."

Statistics have shown the military has far fewer incidents of drug
problems when compared with the civilian population.

According to the last report of the Canadian Forces provost marshal,
charges of drug use have declined but possession and trafficking
charges by military police increased in 2010 when compared with
previous years.
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