Military convicts 300 over drugs

[Oz]

Secret military courts have handed out more than 300 drug convictions to defence personnel over a three-year period, Australian Defence Force documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws reveal.

 

In 2003 alone, the ADF launched almost 1000 separate investigations into drug abuse by serving members, the documents reveal.

 

The documents also warn the ADF's anti-drugs policy could fall into disrepute because civil authorities may fail to prosecute personnel who are caught with less than a "traffickable quantity of illegal drugs".

 

Most investigations involve soldiers or sailors, with only a tiny fraction ultimately referred to civilian police, the documents show.

 

Marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine and heroin have been detected, with convictions expected to increase steeply since the introduction of random drug testing of the military in November 2003.

 

The ADF's sensitivity on illegal drug use is also revealed by internal memos showing plans to "manage" media inquiries, following drug raids in Darwin where about half of the 97 soldiers investigated returned positive tests for cannabis, benzodiazepines, amphetamines or opiates.

 

"The ADF's plan to manage reporting on illegal drug use within the ADF is extremely sensitive and could cause subsequent media reporting," documents state.

 

Since 2000, navy police have investigated 419 suspects, mainly for marijuana (237) but also for ecstasy (190), amphetamines (62) and cocaine (65) - with five drug-related matters referred to civil police, according to the documents.

 

"Individual illicit drug cases referred to Navy Alcohol and Drug Program for 2002 was 32, with 31 so far this year."

 

Since May 2002, 60 sailors have been investigated, with 36 either discharged or set to be discharged. The army had 334 investigations in 2003, with just eight cases referred to civil police.

 

Administrative action was taken against 30 soldiers and 135 were awaiting action.

 

The documents did not say how many soldiers, if any, were discharged.

 

In the air force in 2002-2003 there were 39 investigations into 37 airmen and two officers. Twenty of the cases were cannabis-related and 15 were for other drugs, either not known or not specified.

 

Nine serving members were discharged, 27 received warnings and two cases are yet to be dealt with.

 

Military tribunals can deal with cases involving marijuana or possessing up to 25g of cannabis.

 

Overseas, an Australian defence tribunal can deal with selling, dealing or trafficking narcotics including amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin.

 

However, concerns about ADF personnel falling between the gap of military and civil authorities are shown in a defence memo stating: "NTPOL (Northern Territory Police) jurisdiction prevents it from taking action with respect to less than 40g of cannabis or three tablets of any illicit drug."

 

The Australian reported last month that defence force health experts expect to find increasing numbers of drug users in the military showing up following the introduction of random drug testing.

 

An ADF spokesman said yesterday that the defence force had a zero tolerance for drug misuse. "ADF personnel found to be misusing drugs are automatically asked to show cause why they should not be discharged," he said.

 

JOINT OPERATION

Drug abuse and dealing investigations

NAVY - 569 since November 2000

ARMY - 334 during 2003

AIRFORCE - 38 during 2003

. Between 1999 and 2002, there were 304 convictions for possession and dealing of drugs under the Defence Force Discipline Act, according to the Defence Legal Service

 

Author: Michael McKinnon

Date: 07/06/04

Source: The Australian

Copyright: 2004 News Limited.

[free choice]

TRUST THE MILITARY TO BE SUCH PIG HEADS ...

they are trained , organised killers ...

 

don't ever expect sympathy from General Dumb Shit Warmonger

 

"SMOKE IT" GENERAL ... you might just find some peace