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Drug addict soldiers get detox before axe

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Published Date: 27 January 2008
By Murdo MacLeod Political Correspondent
THE Ministry of Defence is sending drug-addicted soldiers to £500-a-night detox clinics before throwing them out of the armed forces.
Despite the armed forces' uncompromising "no illegal drugs" policy, the military insists that it has a "duty of care" to its troops even if the offenders are to be discharged.

The MoD is currently inviting tenders for contracts to run in-patient m
ental health services for members of the armed forces who are suffering from combat stress, drug and alcohol addiction, and eating disorders. The contract is estimated to be worth up to £10m a year.

Last year it emerged that 17 soldiers from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were being thrown out of the army after being found to be taking hard drugs.

A spokesman for the MoD said it was policy to treat troops for addiction before throwing them out of the army. He said: "The MoD takes its duty of care very seriously. We ensure the patient will receive appropriate treatment in these cases. Normal service policy on substance misuse will apply once the patient has been discharged from a mental health care episode. We will treat them even though they will be discharged from the armed forces."

But the MoD's policy of treating troops and then discharging them has led to calls for some personnel who are recovered addicts to be allowed back into the forces. Troops suffering from alcoholism are normally treated at detox clinics and then sent back to their units.

Ben Wilmott, employee relations adviser for the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, said: "The normal practice would be to treat sufferers from drug addiction with a view to returning them to the workplace. This practice is not one I have encountered before, although I appreciate the military will have their own issues because of the nature of their roles."

Clive Fairweather, the former deputy commander of the SAS, said: "The army is understandably wary of drugs because soldiers handle dangerous things like weapons and helicopters and so forth. But I think that there is a place for allowing soldiers back in, after a period of being clean from drugs. You would get an wiser and more experienced soldier and recoup all that training."



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  • Last Updated: 26 January 2008 8:46 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
  • Related Topics: British armed forces
 
1

subrosa,

27/01/2008 01:40:43
The reason some of these soldiers take the drugs in the first place is to get OUT of the army. Having to work a notice of 6 to 12 months can be too much for them, particularly the ones seeing endless tours of duty to war zones. It doesn't appear to bother them too much that they receive a dishonourable discharge - they just want out.

Perhaps this is the latest way of ensuring they don't get out or perhaps I'm cynical. Let's see if the drug taking cases reduce if this system is set up.

The army are not good at looking after their personnel. Back in the days where we had military hospitals I agree that was the case but today the level of care is disgraceful.
2

Haleakelaman,

Auld Grey City 27/01/2008 08:47:56
Does that mean the MOD will stop giving it's Armed Forces a class A drug, Amphetamine or "Speed" then?
3

Peter O'Loughlin,

Beckenham England. 27/01/2008 14:42:22
As an ex professional soldier, and now a psychotherapist specialising in drug and alcohol addiction recovery, I am delighted to learn that the MoD is taking its duty of care obligations seriously.

The suggestion that soldiers should be allowed to return to service after treatment reveals a lack of knowledge of the nature of addiction on the part of those who make it.

Addiction as defined by the World Health Organisation, and the American Psychiatric Association, is an irreversible mental disorder, freqently accompanied by other psychiatric and physical problems. There is no cure for it, but it can be put into remission with appropriate abstinence focused treatment. However without accompanying psychiatric and physiological disorders being addressed in parralel, together with ongoing support maintainence designed to assist the lifetime process of recovery, relapse is more likely than not. Given the mental and physical problems involved in addiction, together with the extremely stressful, dangerous and traumatic situations that soldiers face, it is unrealistic to expect someone in recovery to be able to cope, indeed it would be irresponsible of the mod to re-enlist them. I would also point out that addicts are recognised by the DoH as 'disabled' and as such they do are unable meet the extremely high mental and physical and challenging demands that soldiers are expected to handle in a calm and professional manner.

It is because of the foregoing that our services must have a zero tolerance approach to drug taking. This of course may raise the question of why soldiers take drugs in the first place including alcohol, to which twice as many people become addicted as compared to all other drugs combined.

There are probably more theories about what casues addiction than there are drugs, but the one common factor why people, including soldiers, take drugs is to change the way they feel. If at first the drug(s) used appear to help people to function or to feel be
4

GalacticCannibal,

Murrieta, CA..captured from Mexico 1845 27/01/2008 18:07:45
Last year it emerged that 17 soldiers from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were being thrown out of the army after being found to be taking hard drugs.
-------------------------------------------------

Hey dudes,
And what has Ur SNP, Slick Salmond got to say or do about the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders drug addict soldiers.

Here in the US those of our "so-called finest and best"
Are kicked out of the military when they are caught doing illegal drugs . But they can remain if they stick to legal drugs..................WOW.

When it comes to drug use . The old Russian saying What's good for the Duck is not good for the Pigeon" does not apply to the Argyll and Sutherlands Highlanders.

Does it Dudes.



GC
5

I'mallymax,

upvinesass, scotland. 28/01/2008 04:20:29
#3, Pete, never say never!
But I do applaud you're consciousness of your fellow warriors.

We all in this land really appreciate your efforts in our armed forces. However, I was always told as a youngster; join the forces only if you can't get a job normally. I'm not saying this was the best advice, but why would anyone want to put their life on the line for an out-dated cause; i.e. nation-hood?

It's not a jibe, just a question.
6

Peter O'Loughlin,

Beckenham 28/01/2008 16:00:55
# 5 Well, coming from a long line of professional soldiers 'allymax', I probably see things a little differently, and what's more I'm delighted to say that my son followed in my footsteps in the same regiment, and having completed 17 years service continues to serve his country in a different capactity.

I wasn't aware there was anything otdated about love of nation, although I'm aware respect for it together with patriotism is old fashioned; but then again that may be why we have so little respect for each other these days, and given that we've 'surrendered' to Brussels, perhaps you are right.

Nevertheless let's continue to respect the guys who do defend our country.

In the interim period given that we are short of trained soldiers, maybe its time to bring back conscription for those layabouts who wont work, together with those who think its good fun to terrorise others.
7

subrosa,

28/01/2008 17:28:51
# 6

A good idea but wrong one. Today's military are too stretched, too professional and too well qualified to have interest in 'training' the layabouts the rest of society can't handle. Do you really think these layabouts should be trusted with a gun at any point in say a 2 year training? Why should the failings of the rest of us be dumped at the door of the army? The days are gone where the army was the last resort for a job. The decision from the Army is 'thanks but no thanks'.

Some form of civil or social service would be brought about by some adult-thinking politicians though. Other European countries use a mandatory system involving society. Yes we reap what we sow right enough and we ought to stand up and be accountable for it. Let the do-gooders help sort out their mess and also the rest of us who allowed them to do so whilst sitting on our hands.

 

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