By Pte John Wellfare
RANDOM drug testing of soldiers at all levels is a key expansion of Army powers under a new directive tightening policy on drug use.

The directive by CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, which outlines a random and targeted drug testing program covering 10 per cent of the Army, will not give any leniency to members who self-refer after being identified for drug testing.

Citing safety, security and public accountability as some of the principal reasons for keeping illicit drugs out of the military, the directive also covers the issue of Defence members associating with criminals.

"[Drug] users are committing a criminal offence by the possession of drugs and interacting with criminal elements when obtaining illicit drug supplies, they are vulnerable to coercion by those elements," it says.

"Army personnel have frequent access to firearms, vehicles (including armoured vehicles), explosives and other military equipment, which has the potential to cause significant harm to the public if misused or allowed to fall into the hands of criminal elements.

"The use of illicit drugs makes a member vulnerable to approaches by foreign intelligence services or unscrupulous commercial organisations and thus poses a risk for the security of information classified in the national interest."

The directive states that random and targeted testing of 10 per cent of Army members during the next 12 months made the risk of detection high for drug users.

Citing the ADF's zero tolerance policy on drug use, the directive describes involvement in illicit drugs as a career-threatening choice.

The testing regime is outlined as an eight-to-10 minute procedure through which a member can be either cleared or pinpointed for laboratory testing.

"Army's drug testing program will involve the use of a screening test, conducted by an authorised drug tester, which will be used to identify those members who have illicit drug metabolites in their urine.

"Members who are identified as having illicit drug metabolites in their urine will have the remainder of their urine specimen forwarded to a laboratory for confirmatory testing.

"Members who return a drug-free specimen are to be returned to duty.

"While awaiting the results of a confirmatory test, a member who returns a 'positive' screening test for illicit drugs is to be removed from the workplace and employed in a non safety or security related area/role.

"These members are specifically forbidden from driving service vehicles including hire cars, aircraft, boats or other similar equipment, handling weapons, ammunition or explosives."

The directive designates Assistant Medical personnel to be trained as authorised drug testers, but states that wherever possible, personnel used as authorised drug testers should not be from within the chain of command of the unit being tested.

Testing coordinators will generally be senior members of the unit or sub unit being tested and the directive outlines a need for these members to be trained to a level in parallel with that of authorised drug testers.

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