Drug Testing (Hansard, 13 December 1994)

§ Mr. Butler
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to introduce random compulsory drug testing in the armed forces.

§ Mr. Jamieson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to introduce random compulsory drug testing in the armed services.

§ Mr. Soames
The House will be aware that we have for some time been working on plans to introduce random compulsory drug tests in the armed forces.
The Government attach very high priority to tackling the problem of drug misuse. This is reflected in the proposals set out in the recent Green Paper "Tackling Drugs Together". In the spirit of the Green Paper, a number of measures are already taken in the armed forces to educate recruits and service personnel about the dangers of drugs, and the unlawful possession or supply of a controlled substance is contrary to service as well as civilian law.
Following detailed studies, a broad policy framework was agreed last year for the introduction of a compulsory drug testing regime in each of the three services, should that be judged necessary. I can now announce that, following an anonymous trial of testing procedures in the Army, we have decided as a further deterrent to introduce compulsory drug testing in the Army.
With immediate effect, Army personnel may be required to provide urine specimens for testing at any time and with no prior warning. Personnel who are tested positive or who refuse to provide a specimen will in the case of officers be required to resign and soldiers will normally be discharged. Lance corporals and below may in certain circumstances be given a second chance and allowed to remain in the Army for counselling.
The Royal Navy is initiating compulsory drug testing trials, which will allow decisions to be taken as to whether there is a need to introduce a drug testing regime. The Royal Air Force does not need to introduce compulsory drug testing for the moment, but it is keeping its policy under review. In the meantime the RN and RAF will continue to apply other measures to deter drugs misuse.