SOLDIERS' DRUG USE 'RISING'

Eighteen members of the Armed Forces a week are testing positive for
drug use, it has been disclosed.

The Independent on Sunday reported that official Ministry of Defence
figures showed that cocaine use among service personnel had trebled
since the start of the Iraq war in 2003.

Altogether, more than 1,500 have tested positive since the start of
2006 in the MoD's random drugs testing programme - 80% of them for
class A drugs.

In 2006 alone, 769 members of the Army tested positive compared to
518 in 2003 - a 48% increase.

Cocaine accounted for more than half the failed tests - 423 - far
ahead of cannabis (221) and ecstasy (95).

The MoD said that drug use in the military was far lower than in
civilian life and was dealt with severely.

"Drug misuse is incompatible with life in the Armed Forces and will
not be tolerated," a spokesman said.

"A positive test result or the refusal to provide a specimen will
normally lead to soldiers being administratively discharged.

"Positive rates in the Army over the last four years average around
0.7%, compared with over 5% in civilian workplace drug testing
programmes in the UK.

"Drugs misuse is significantly less prevalent among service
personnel than in corresponding civilian demographic."