Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of personnel who have failed drug tests in the Defence Forces for the years 2004 and 2005; if all these personnel were discharged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32352/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The military authorities advise that the number of personnel who tested "positive" under the Compulsory Random Drug Test programme in the Defence Forces in the years 2004 and 2005 was four and seven respectively. The four members who tested "positive" in 2004 were discharged and six of the seven who tested positive in 2005 have been discharged. The proposed discharge of one of the members who tested "positive" in 2005 is the subject of legal action therefore I cannot comment further on that case.

Drug abuse has long been recognised as a serious and escalating problem in our society and while there have been relatively few instances of drug related problems within the Defence Forces, it is recognised that the Defence Forces, as a component of the wider community, mirror the community at large. The implications of drug abuse in an organisation where personnel have access to firearms are too obvious to require elaboration.

A Compulsory Substance Testing Programme was introduced on 1 February 2002, as part of a Defence Forces Substance Abuse Programme, following a long consultative process involving the Office of the Attorney General, the Deputy Judge Advocate General and the Defence Forces Representative Associations. Prior to the launch of the programme, an education programme and awareness briefings were conducted throughout the Defence Forces. All personnel were issued with a booklet devised to inform them of the purpose of the new Compulsory Random Drug Testing programme, the administrative procedures involved and the potential administrative action and liability for discharge or retirement for those who test positive. All necessary measures, including pre-enlistment screening, education, compulsory random drug testing, monitoring and sanctions, will be taken to maintain a drug free environment within the Defence Forces.

The primary objective of Compulsory Random Drugs Testing is deterrence. In order to provide a credible level of deterrent, the testing programme has been devised to maximise the possibility of random selection for testing. A trained Drugs Testing Team is responsible for taking urine samples for compulsory random testing throughout the Defence Forces. Testing commenced on 14th November 2002 and the programme is now in its fourth year of operation. The target of testing 10% of the Permanent Defence Force each year has been achieved and it is anticipated that this target will also be reached in 2006. A member of the Permanent Defence Force, randomly selected, may be required, at any time, to provide a urine sample which will be tested for evidence of use of controlled drugs, or the abuse or misuse of other substances, or for the detection of the metabolites thereof. A member of the Permanent Defence Force who refuses to provide a urine sample, or who provides a urine sample which tests positive, shall be liable to retirement, discharge or relinquishment of commission or withdrawal of cadetship as appropriate under the provisions of Defence Force Regulations.

All personnel have the option of having an independent test carried out on the "B sample" of any specimen obtained under the Compulsory Random Drug testing procedures. Where personnel have confirmed positive test results, they are liable to be discharged or retired in accordance with the relevant regulations. In such circumstances personnel are afforded a full opportunity to submit representations in relation to any recommendation that they be discharged or retired as a result of a confirmed positive test result.