THERE WILL BE no changes to the current system of drug testing in the Defence Forces, despite a record number of military personnel failing tests last year.

Seventeen members failed random drug tests in 2015, which was more than triple the five members who failed in 2014.

The Defence Forces drug testing team carried out 13 drug testing operations last year, testing a total of 1,184 personnel. Of the 1,184 tests, 98.56% were negative.

When asked about the topic in the Dáil during leader’s questions, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility for defence, Paul Kehoe, said, “Appropriate administrative action ensued in all of these positive result cases.”

However, Kehoe added that there are no changes planned for the drug testing programme in view of the record number.

Given the primary aim of both the Compulsory Random Drug Testing (CRDT) and Targeted Drugs Testing (TDT) programmes is deterrence, I believe it would be counter-productive to change the programme due to individuals testing positive.

“Rather, the responsibility is on the individual members of the Defence Forces to ensure that they fully comply with military law in this regard; which the vast majority do, as evidenced by the relatively low number of positive tests.

On the basis of the above, there are no plans to change the current CRDT and TDT programmes.

He added that “due to the insidious and addictive nature of drug and substance abuse, it is particularly dangerous in the military environment where personnel are entrusted with both the access to and the responsibility of using firearms and other potentially lethal equipment”.

“Drug misuse has serious implications for the safety of both members of the public and Defence Forces personnel.”

Read: Less than half of Defence Forces satisfied with military life>