PARAS ARRESTED AFTER NARCOTICS SHOCK

Seven soldiers from the elite Parachute Regiment were today facing
dismissal from the Army after failing a drugs test.

Six privates and a lance-corporal were held last week after failing tests
for Class A drugs at the regiment's Aldershot barracks, says The Mirror.

The random testing is designed to detect substances including heroin,
cocaine and amphetamines such as Ecstasy and LSD.

The men, all veterans of the Kosovo conflict, are under open-house arrest
at the 1st Battalion's New Normandy barracks, says the newspaper.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman told PA News: "I can confirm that seven
members of the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment were found to have
provided positive samples following the unit's testing as part of the
Army's drug testing programme.

"Drug misuse is unacceptable in the Army and offenders will normally be
removed from the service.

"The Army has a vigorous education programme aimed at deterring misuse of
drugs."

Drug testing of soldiers was introduced in December 1994, since when
323,000 servicemen and women have been tested.

The spokesman said: "Under 0.7% of that number have tested positive.
Compared to the civilian population for the same age group, our figures are
very low."