IDF LAUNCHES WAR ON ITS SOLDIERS' DRUG USE

The IDF will soon embark on a stringent new program to to fight drug
use among its troops, with the goal of testing every soldier at least
once in his three-year stint.

IDF investigations of soldiers being released from service in recent
years show a substantial rise in the number of soldiers using drugs.
The average age soldiers first report using drugs is just over 17,
about a year before their induction into military service.
Drug-related disciplinary action files on soldiers who have sold or
used drugs (mostly marijuana and Ecstasy) also continue to rise.

One senior IDF official told Ha'aretz that the IDF recently
reevaluated its stance on drug abuse and decided to continue its
existing policy of treating light drugs no differently than hard
drugs. "In civilian society people tend to look the other way when it
comes to light drug abuse, which is obviously growing among young
people, but the IDF has concluded it cannot allow itself the same
attitude," he said.

These are some elements of the new program, designed by the manpower
unity of the army:

* Expanded drug tests. "From now on, no unit will be out of bounds,"
said the senior official. "Not even combat units, especially
considering that the ban on testing soldiers in Lebanon is no longer
relevant.

"Our figures show that drug use is more widespread among non-combat
soldiers, but we will get to the fighters as well. It is easy to deal
only with administrative personnel, but that is no problem. From now
on, no one will be exempt. Our goal: to test every soldier."

* More severe punishments. The military courts will impose harsher
punishments for drug-related offenses. However, the IDF emphasizes,
"The punishments still have to be proportional and not
unreasonable."

* Expanded drug education, including young people before they are
inducted. From now on, when high school students receive their first
order to appear at a recruitment center, they will have to sign a
statement saying they are aware of the IDF's policy regarding drug use
in its ranks. A more ambitious idea, to require inductees to sign that
they will not use drugs during their service, was nixed by lawyers.