New figures reveal number of Defence Force members that have failed drug tests
Failed drugs tests on some members of the Defence Forces taken at Casement Aerodrome have occurred each year since 2015, newly released figures reveal.
According to Department of Defence figures, random tests carried out on personnel resulted in six failed tests over the past three years.
The 2017 figures showed that overall 59 members of the Defence Forces have failed drug tests in the previous five years, but just 29 were discharged from duty.
Responding to a parliamentary question from Sinn Fein’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Defence Minister Paul Kehoe said the Defence Forces conduct Compulsory Random Drug Testing of all employees with approximately 10% of Defence Forces personnel tested annually.
While Compulsory Random Drug Testing (CRDT) commenced in the Defence Forces in 2003, the collection of statistical data on the number of personnel tested in Casement Aerodrome did not commence until 2007. From 2007, a total of 931 random tests were carried out and up to 2015, no failed tests at Casement emerged.
There have been two failed tests out of 70 tests so far in 2018.
The unique and challenging nature of military service requires that military personnel are free from the presence or influence of any controlled drug or substance,” Mr Kehoe said.
He said while information on individual failures cannot be divulged, there are a number of reasons why a failure may occur.
These include the sample provided reveals the presence of a controlled drug or other substance, at a concentration level equal to or greater than the allowable cut-off level or the sample provided, having been tested by a designated civilian laboratory, reveals evidence of adulteration.
Also, a failed result will be confirmed if an individual refused to have the “B” sample tested on having tested positive on the “A” sample.
The military authorities have advised me that any further information, such as the initial of the surname of the person tested, cannot be divulged as it is seen to be in breach of the Data Protection policy. In order to preserve the operational integrity of the CRDT process, I have also been advised that details pertaining to randomly selected individuals cannot be released,” Mr Kehoe said.
Overall, as part of the random drugs testing of Defence Force members, screenings are for illicit drugs such as cocaine and cannabis as well as legal medications.
Mr Kehoe has said that almost 1,000 members are tested each year.
According to the department, the testing is to ensure that an individual, who has tested positive for the presence of a controlled drug but “who conditionally remains in service as a result of a decision of their Formation Commander, is devoid of the presence and/or influence of any controlled drug or substance”.
Of the 59 members who failed the test, 23 were discharged by purchase (bought out), six were discharged, four were retained after testing, two were retained in service and two retired, details released to the Dáil revealed.
The department said the objective of its Targeted Drug Testing (TDT) is to ensure an individual, who has tested positive in a Compulsory Random Drug Test but who conditionally remains in service as a result of a decision of their Formation Commander, is devoid of the presence and/or influence of any controlled drug or substance.
