Sgt Mathew Franks, 1HSB, labels urine containers after a recent test at Holsworthy.Photo by Bill Cunneen, Army newspaper RSM 1/19RNSWR WO1 Mick Johnson keeps track of his sample as medic WO2 Allyce Hunt, Training WO 5CSSB, labels the container. Photo by Bill Cunneen, Army newspaper

No highs, only lows
Drug testing can happen at any time - what do you need to know?

The Army maintains a "zero tolerance" policy on illicit drug use as it poses a continuing threat to Army's ability to sustain operational capability by undermining safety, morale, security, and the public perception of Army.

In order to provide a safe environment for personnel, CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy has authorised the introduction of an Illicit drug testing program to detect illicit drug users within our ranks.

What are illicit drugs

Army defines illicit drug use as the use of illegal or controlled drugs or abuse of prescription medication.

Illicit drugs generally occur in the following groups (this is not a comprehensive list):

Cocaine (eg, Cocaine, Coke, Crack, Ecstasy*);
Methylamphetamine (eg, Speed, MDMA, LSD, Ecstasy, Ketamine or "Special K");
Opiates (eg, Heroin, Morphine, Ecstasy*);
THC (eg, Cannabis, Marijuana, Hash Oil, Block Hash);
Benzodiazepine (eg. Valium, Serepax, Temazepam, Mogadon, Normison); and
Steroids.
*Ecstacy is commonly "cut" with other drugs and therefore has also been included in the 'cocaine and opiate' drug groups.

Program guiding principles

Health and Safety of Army Members
Illicit drugs, or prescription medication not used in accordance with a doctor's instructions, have the potential to adversely affect the health and performance of the individual.

This impairment also has the potential to adversely impact upon the occupational health and safety of the individual, workmates, other ADF members, members of the public and the operational effectiveness of units and the Army.

Potential for public danger
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.

Use of illicit drugs has potential to cause impairment and thus pose a greater risk to public safety and OH&S.

Young adult guidance responsibility
Army has many young adults serving within its ranks and for many, joining the Army is the first step outside of the family environment.

Army has a duty to provide a safe environment whereby these young adults can continue their development as responsible adults. Freedom from the influences of illicit drugs is implicit in this responsibility.

Public accountability
The public holds the Army to a higher standard of behavior than the community at large. This higher standard of behavior includes the expectation that Army members will not use illicit drugs.

Criminal influence
Illicit drug use by personnel is an entry portal for criminal behaviour into Army. Users are committing a civil criminal offence by the possession of drugs and by interacting with criminal elements when obtaining illicit drug supplies, they are vulnerable to coercion by those elements.

Security
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, commercial-in-confidence, or otherwise protected by law. There is a duty of care to the nation and individuals to discourage this behaviour.

Deterrence
The Army's random and targeted urinalysis drug testing program is designed to deter members from involvement in illicit drugs.

The option to test randomly or target test makes the risk of detection high and the severe consequences for a "positive" drug test makes involvement in illicit drugs a career threatening choice.

Who can be tested?

All officers, warrant officers, NCOs and soldiers of the Army (including Reserves on duty) are liable to be tested under this program.

Foreign exchange/visiting personnel, Defence civilian staff, APS members and contractors cannot be tested.

When can I be tested?

• ARA/CFTS - at any time.
• Reserve members - when on duty.
• You can be recalled from leave/rest/stand-down for testing.
• You can be tested when deployed overseas.

When will testing start?
Illicit drug testing under DI(A) PERS 66-5 Army's Random and Targeted Urinalysis Drug Testing Program commenced on November 27, 2003.

Why random and targeted illicit drug testing?
Random testing ensures that all members have an equal chance of being tested under this program. If however, there is suspicion that a member or group of members have involvement with illicit drugs, Army has a duty of care to follow up with targeted testing of the member or members.

Who selects personnel for illicit drug testing?
CO/OCs have the responsibility for selecting personnel to be tested on a random or targeted basis, as appropriate to the circumstances.

How is the testing done?

• Illicit drug testing involves the collection of a urine specimen from the member by a qualified and authorised illicit drug testing team. The team will consist of a Drug Testing Coordinator (DTC) who will usually be an RSM or senior warrant officer and an Authorised Drug Tester (ADT) who assists the DTC
• When a specimen has been collected from you, a number of tests are performed by the team to confirm its authenticity (ie. ensuring it is your urine), normality (ie. that it has not had any chemicals added which will interfere with the illicit drug test) and then it is tested for the presence of illicit drug metabolites.
• If the screening test detects the presence of drug metabolites which could have been caused by the use of illicit drugs, the remainder of the specimen is forwarded to a laboratory for further testing.

What do I do during testing?
Members undergoing testing should:

• Comply with directions given by testing staff.
• Stay in the waiting area unless authorised by testing staff.
• When directed, provide a urine specimen.
• View the screening test and if required, the sealing of specimen before shipping for a confirmatory test.
• When directed, sign documentation relating to the screening test.

What are my rights?
A member undergoing an illicit drug test has the following rights:

• Privacy while producing the urine specimen (nobody will watch the specimen being provided).
• Privacy of information on the test results.
• The right not to inform testing staff about any prescription medication they may be taking for a legitimate reason.
  • Note: It is a member's right to declare or not to declare any prescription medicine they may be taking for a legitimate reason.

What if a member refuses the test?

• Members cannot be physically forced to provide the required specimen. However, members who refuse to provide a specimen will be ordered by a superior officer to provide the specimen.
• Members who disobey the command from the superior officer to provide the specimen will have their conduct reported to the chain of command for consideration of DFDA action under section 27 of the DFDA, Disobeying a Lawful Command.
• If convicted of the charge, the member will usually then be issued with a Termination Notice in accordance with Defence (Personnel) Regulations 2002.

How long does it take?
The screening test takes eight-10 minutes, depending on the time taken to obtain the urine specimen, and to detect any drug metabolites present.

Members who test negative to illicit drug metabolites during the screening test result will return to duty.

What if I my food/drink has been 'spiked'?

• If you believe that you have been the victim of food or drink "spiking", you are to report the incident to your commander, or out of hours to the Unit Duty Officer, at the earliest opportunity.
• After reporting a suspected food/drink spiking incident, you will be "target tested" to confirm the incident and identify the drug used. If confirmed, the Military and or civil police will be notified of the incident. The employment restrictions imposed for a "pending" screening test will be applied to you and you will be tested at 24-hour intervals thereafter until you are "drug free". You will then be returned to full duties.
• By reporting the incident, you will not be subject to the commencement of administrative action, which would normally result from the detection of illicit drug use. Remember, it is your responsibility to immediately report suspected incidents of food or drink spiking. The protection from the commencement of administrative action will not apply if you "remember" that your food or drink was spiked after you have been identified for illicit drug testing.

Prescription medication detection

Some prescription and some over the counter medications, such as codeine and some cough medicines, will be detected by the screening test. The illicit drug testing team will have a list of medications likely to cause a "pending" screening test result. "Actions on" in the event of prescription medication being detected are discussed later.

Common drugs such as paracetamol headache tablets, contraceptives and anti-inflammatory medications will generally not be detected by the screening test.

Prescription or over-the-counter medication
If prescription medication is detected by the screening test, the following will occur:

• For members who receive Defence health-care (ie, ARA and CFTS members) the member's medical file will be examined to confirm the prescribed use of the drug.
• For members who do not receive Defence health-care (ie Reserve members), the member will be required to provide proof (doctors certificate, prescription medical record, etc) of their lawful access and use of the prescription drug.

What are drug metabolites?
Drug metabolites are the chemicals the body expels as a result of drug use. Drug metabolites may be present in a member's urine from a range of legal and illegal sources. If the screening test detects drug metabolites, a laboratory test is used to identify the type and concentration of the drug metabolites present.

A 'pending' screening result
A "pending" screening test means that illicit or prescription drug metabolites have been detected in a member's urine. This in no way "confirms" involvement by the member with illicit drugs, but does flag that the member's specimen requires laboratory testing.

Employment restrictions will be imposed on the member, on occupational health and safety grounds, until the results of the laboratory test are known.

'Pending' screening test employment restrictions
If a member returns a "pending" screening test for drug metabolites, their commander will restrict them from a workplace or duties involving safety or security related tasks.

This will include them being excluded from driving Service vehicles, including hire cars, aircraft, boats or other similar equipment, operating machinery, handling weapons, ammunition or explosives.

If they are employed in supervisory, decision-making or instructional roles they will be temporarily relieved of these duties until the laboratory test result is known.

Time delay between a positive screening and a result
Confirmatory illicit drug testing will normally take no more than two working days from receipt of the urine specimen at the laboratory.

What happens if the laboratory test is positive?

• All outcomes from the Army Illicit Drug Testing Program are administrative in nature. A member who returns a "positive" laboratory test result will be issued with a Termination Notice in accordance with the Defence (Personnel) Regulations 2002.
• Disciplinary action will not be taken against any member as a result of any positive illicit drug test under the Army's Random and Targeted Urinalysis Drug Testing Program as the DFDA makes no provision for such a charge. However, any information subsequently discovered during the administrative process that indicates a civil offence (or an additional Service offence) may have been committed will be reported to the Military Police and may result in disciplinary action.

What role have the MPs in illicit drug testing?
Army's Random and Targeted Urinalysis Drug Testing Program is separate from any investigation by the Military Police.

Any test result, document, admission or information given in answer to a question posed during an illicit drug test conducted under the Army Illicit Drug Testing Program cannot be used against the tested member in DFDA proceedings relating to the use of illicit drugs.

Other use of illicit drugs
When illicit drug use is detected or suspected by means other than detection by the Army's Random and Targeted Urinalysis Drug Testing Program, the provisions of DI(G) PERS 15-2-Involvement by Members of the ADF with Illegal Drugs apply.

Will members receive illicit drug awareness training?
Appropriate illicit drug awareness training has been provided for all Army personnel.

This training provides Army members knowledge of their rights and responsibilities with respect to illicit drug testing.

Members will be informed when and where training will take place through their chain of command.

Additionally, under the new policy all Army members will be required to attend yearly illicit drug awareness lectures.

What information is kept?
All test results, both positive and negative, will be recorded on PMKeyS.

This will enable statistical reporting to be made as required.

Additionally, a record of attendance of illicit drug awareness sessions will be kept on PMKeyS.

All information will be handled in accordance with normal in-confidence procedures.

Where can I get more information?

• The following policy documents can provide you with further information: DI(A) PERS 66-5 Army's Random and Targeted Urinalysis Drug Testing Program DI(G) PERS 15-2-Involvement by Members of the Australian Defence Force with Illegal Drugs.

Just say no

CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy
Random and targeted urinalysis is a tool that commanders can use to maintain and enforce the Army's zero tolerance approach to the use of illicit drugs.

Illicit drugs are not worth destroying your career for. If you test positive for the use of illicit drugs you will be issued with a termination notice.

When you use drugs you risk not only your life, but those of your mates and depending on your position, you also risk the lives of those under your command.

The Army has a duty of care to protect the welfare of its soldiers.

Drug testing is undertaken to ensure that all units remain highly effective and able to carry out all tasks in a safe manner.

The use of illicit drugs undermines the discipline, welfare, safety, security and operational effectiveness of the Army.

Such behaviour is unacceptable in the Army.

We require soldiers to maintain the highest standards of work performance, behaviour and physical and mental fitness.

The testing applies to all officers, warrant officers, NCOs and ORs - without exception.

RSM-A WO Kevin Woods
Illicit drug use is a threat to Army's capability, it lowers morale and undermines our ethos and culture.

I have recently been subjected to a random urinalysis drug test, (and for those who are wondering the result was negative) and I must say it's about time we had drug testing.

As I travel around, soldiers, JNCOs, SNCOs, WOs and Officers are all saying they don't want illicit drug users in "their" Army.

Now with the introduction of the new drug testing their wish will come true.

Illicit drug use is more than just a social problem for members of the Army.

It destroys the faith, confidence and trust we have in each other and breaks down what I like to call the Army "family", not to mention the devastating effect it can have on family and friends.

Random and targeted urinalysis drug testing has started and it is here to stay, so if you choose to take illicit drugs you will get caught, sooner or later.

You need to ask yourself, is taking illicit drugs really worth it?

Any professional soldier would say no.

LHQ first tested

By Maj Grant King
"TAKE this bottle into the booth and..."

A number of people at LHQ heard these words recently, as the CA's directive that instigated a random and targeted drug-testing program became a reality.

Pte to Maj-General lined up to provide a sample to begin the regime of Random and Targeted Illicit Drug Testing.

Land Commander Maj-Gen Ken Gillespie and other senior officers at LHQ were nominated and became the first to be tested in a procedure that doesn't discriminate against rank or sex.

As with all illicit drug tests, the first people knew about it was when they were told they were participating; any soldier, regardless of rank, in barracks, on exercise or on operational service can now be asked to provide a urine sample.

Maj-Gen Gillespie said the 10-minute procedure was simple and straightforward, involving an unobtrusive screening test conducted by a qualified and authorised illicit drug testing team consisting of a Drug Testing Coordinator and Authorised Drug Tester.

He said the testing procedure was robust, with strong, good processes that confirmed his trust in a system that will now be used on a routine basis throughout the Army and the remainder of the ADF.

"I've been through the process myself, I'm very happy with the way the test is conducted and I believe our soldiers should present themselves, fully confident in the fidelity of the examination and analysis procedures," he said.

If the specimen is drug-free the member is returned to duty, however, if the sample is identified as having drug metabolites that could have resulted from illicit drug consumption, the remainder of their urine specimen is forwarded to a laboratory for confirmatory testing.

"There's no place in the Australian Army for illicit drug users," said Maj-Gen Gillespie. "They're a liability in more ways than one."

"For a start, they've committed a criminal offence but the thought of someone under the influence of drugs during a live-fire exercise, driving a vehicle or handling explosives and the consequences, not only to themselves, [but to] the general public or their mates is frightening," he said.

"They're also a security risk, so is it any wonder we have a zero tolerance policy on drugs?"

Following the initial examinations at Victoria Barracks, other Land Command units and HQ establishments were also tested.

The Land Commander had this message for those who either use drugs or are thinking about using them in the future.

"Random and Targeted Illicit Drug Testing is coming your way sooner or later and I can promise you this, everyone, eventually, will be tested, there'll be no exceptions," he said.

"If you use illicit drugs you will be caught, it might not be this week or this month but you will be caught. Members found to have any involvement in the use of illicit drugs will be issued with a Termination Notice."

Answering your questions

The following is a letter to the Editor of Army news

IN reference to the recent article in Army [February 26].

It is good to see that the ADF is enforcing their no-drugs policy within the Army and ADF in general.

However it is disappointing to see that there is some form of compensation if you get caught.

I was under the impression that the ADF had a "zero tolerance" for drug users and that if members did get caught, they would be discharged from the ADF accordingly.

So why is it that there are still four members who have been caught that have been given a second chance?

Are their positions within the ADF so important that they cannot be replaced?

This to me sends out a negative message to the new soldiers we are recruiting into the Army.

For one, it tells the members that the ADF cannot back its own policy on drugs, and two, that if you do drugs and get caught that their could be a possibility that the ADF will retain you.

So, the question is - what is the ADF policy on drugs?
Cpl Wade Mcfarlane
TRG Cpl/URLO
3/9LHSAMR, Elisabeth Training Depot, S.A
Maj Steve Gale, SO2 Personnel Policy, responds:
Zero tolerance means Army will not overlook or ignore illicit drug use once it is detected but does not mandate automatic discharge.

Automatic issue of a Termination Notice (ie, Notice to Show Cause) by COs is mandated and the following factors are then considered by career managers (SCMA or DOCM-A as appropriate) when considering discharge for drug incidents: nature of offence (use or dealing, drug type, frequency, etc.); rank and maturity of soldier; equitable application of policy; and the CO's recommendation.

Some young private soldiers involved with drugs through immaturity or impulsive behaviour have been retained, especially when recommended for retention by their CO.

Officers, warrant officers and NCOs are invariably discharged.

It should be noted that those members who are retained will now be subject to targeted testing with the introdcution of DI(A) PERS 66-5, Army's Random and Targeted Urinalysis Drug Testing Program for the remainder of their careers.

Any further detection of illicit drug use would result in their immediate dismissal.

.