News (Media Awareness Project) - US TN: Testing Finds Soldiers' Drug Use Up |
| Title: | US TN: Testing Finds Soldiers' Drug Use Up |
| Published On: | 2002-11-02 |
| Source: | Tennessean, The (TN) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-08-29 10:54:00 |
TESTING FINDS SOLDIERS' DRUG USE UP
Army Spokesman Says Anxiety Of Afghan War Is Likely The Reason
CLARKSVILLE - The rate of illegal drug use by Fort Campbell soldiers has
doubled in the latest round of routine testing, post statistics show.
Out of 23,500 urine samples tested, 518 - about 2.2% - came back positive,
the results show. Testing was conducted between Oct. 1, 2001, and Sept. 30,
2002.
The previous round showed 423 samples of 40,000 samples - or about 1.1% -
tested were positive for drugs. That testing occurred Oct. 1, 2000, through
Sept. 30, 2001.
Fewer samples were included this year because samples taken between January
and March of this year were tainted and could not be tested, post officials
said.
Marijuana was the most frequently used illegal drug, followed by cocaine
and Ecstasy.
Post spokesman Maj. Paul Fitzpatrick said he couldn't speculate as to why
more tests came back positive. He did say, however, that illegal drug use
among soldiers is not tolerated.
''Every soldier in the Army is a volunteer. They volunteered to serve our
country. With that service, soldiers are expected to follow all rules and
regulations,'' Fitzpatrick said. ''Drug use is wrong and either soldiers
must adhere to these rules or seek another profession.''
Department of the Army spokesman Capt. Ben Kuykendall said he doesn't know
Fort Campbell's circumstances, but added that as a former company commander
he knows how the anxiety of war can impact soldiers and family members.
About 4,000 Fort Campbell troops returned in September after being deployed
to Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of the war on terrorism. Soldiers
usually are not tested regularly for drug use during combat.
''As an individual, I would think definitely, when you look at the reasons
people use drugs, with deployments and whether they're going to come back
alive or not,'' said Kuykendall, stressing the need for a substance abuse
prevention program. ''I'm not a drug counselor but it makes sense to me
that the increased stress and the war on terrorism would stand to reason.''
Army Spokesman Says Anxiety Of Afghan War Is Likely The Reason
CLARKSVILLE - The rate of illegal drug use by Fort Campbell soldiers has
doubled in the latest round of routine testing, post statistics show.
Out of 23,500 urine samples tested, 518 - about 2.2% - came back positive,
the results show. Testing was conducted between Oct. 1, 2001, and Sept. 30,
2002.
The previous round showed 423 samples of 40,000 samples - or about 1.1% -
tested were positive for drugs. That testing occurred Oct. 1, 2000, through
Sept. 30, 2001.
Fewer samples were included this year because samples taken between January
and March of this year were tainted and could not be tested, post officials
said.
Marijuana was the most frequently used illegal drug, followed by cocaine
and Ecstasy.
Post spokesman Maj. Paul Fitzpatrick said he couldn't speculate as to why
more tests came back positive. He did say, however, that illegal drug use
among soldiers is not tolerated.
''Every soldier in the Army is a volunteer. They volunteered to serve our
country. With that service, soldiers are expected to follow all rules and
regulations,'' Fitzpatrick said. ''Drug use is wrong and either soldiers
must adhere to these rules or seek another profession.''
Department of the Army spokesman Capt. Ben Kuykendall said he doesn't know
Fort Campbell's circumstances, but added that as a former company commander
he knows how the anxiety of war can impact soldiers and family members.
About 4,000 Fort Campbell troops returned in September after being deployed
to Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of the war on terrorism. Soldiers
usually are not tested regularly for drug use during combat.
''As an individual, I would think definitely, when you look at the reasons
people use drugs, with deployments and whether they're going to come back
alive or not,'' said Kuykendall, stressing the need for a substance abuse
prevention program. ''I'm not a drug counselor but it makes sense to me
that the increased stress and the war on terrorism would stand to reason.''
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