editorial comment Overseas postings are a privilege? In Iraq maybe.....

The Defence Force's drug policy has been condemned as "a joke" and "toothless" by staff who say drug users get repeated warnings before dismissal because of problems recruiting new personnel.

Its elimination and zero-tolerance drug policy has come under fire in a confidential survey of 1000 army, navy and air force members.

"Drug users are constantly given four or five chances before they are dismissed which is due to small unit numbers and unit staff not wishing to lose any further members. The policy is a joke and soldiers are neither worried about being caught or tested regularly enough to deter them," an army junior cadet says.

One in five staff had experimented with drugs since they enlisted, the survey found. Nearly two-thirds called for stricter drug-use controls.

"Penalties are not harsh enough, there are no second chances given in battle so why is it possible for someone to be a user and obtain rank and other privileges, such as overseas tours and postings? The policy is toothless - it states zero tolerance but gives people up to four chances in some cases," another respondent said.

Lack of consistency when dealing with those who tested positive for drugs was the single most significant issue raised by staff.

"I know of three servicemen who were tested positive three times and are still serving - another one was discharged after testing positive once," said one respondent.

The survey, by Victoria University master of public policy student Andrena Patterson, a former army major, is the first of its kind.

"It shows there is a gap between what the ministry says it will do and reality. That gap needs to be addressed," she said.

About half those surveyed admitted trying cannabis and about one in 10 using amphetamines or methamphetamines at some time - rates like those for civilians.

Cannabis was the drug of choice, followed by methamphetamine.

Almost 20 per cent of low-ranking staff under 25 had tried drugs since they signed up, compared with about 10 per cent of British soldiers.

Victoria University Institute of Policy Studies director Andrew Ladley said the comparison should be treated cautiously. The British survey of 500 soldiers was done seven years ago. He praised defence chiefs for supporting the study, and their positive response to the findings.

Commodore Bruce Pepperell, assistant chief (personnel), said the Defence Force was working on a consistent approach among the services.

"Our intention is to keep the current system where we have one warning and, depending on the nature of the offence, the person may be discharged or given another chance.

"Drugs are a problem in society as a whole. Technically we do not take a zero-tolerance stance. We take a holistic approach to drug use - using education, counselling, and treatment as deterrents - and believe we have had reasonable success."

More than 3000 drug tests had been done this year within the forces.

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