Controlled Substances (Hansard, 14 November 2000)

§ Mr. Keetch
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of(a) the Army, (b) the Navy and (c) the RAF tested positive for the use of controlled substances in the most recent testing programme, stating in each instance what percentage of trained strength tested positive for (a) cannabis, (b) cocaine, (c) heroin and (d) other controlled substances; and if he will make a statement. [137861]

§ Mr. Spellar
From 1 January to mid-October 2000, 580 Army personnel tested positive. Of the trained strength, 0.26 per cent. tested positive for cannabis, 0.04 per cent. for cocaine and 0.10 per cent. for other controlled substances as previously described. No one on the trained strength tested positive for heroin.
During the same period, 41 Naval Service personnel (including Royal Marines) tested positive. Of the trained strength, 0.04 per cent. tested positive for cannabis, 0.01 per cent. for cocaine and 0.03 per cent. for other controlled substances (Ecstasy, LSD, Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines and Performance Enhancing Drugs). No one on the trained strength tested positive for heroin.
577W
The corresponding figures for the RAF record that 14 personnel tested positive. Of the trained strength, 0.08 per cent. tested positive for cannabis, 0.03 per cent. for cocaine and 0.03 per cent. for other controlled substances as previously described. No one on the trained strength tested positive for heroin.

§ Mr. Keetch
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the controlled substances that members of the armed forces were routinely tested for in(a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999 and (e) 2000; what plans he has to adjust the testing programme with regard to (i) the number of substances tested for, (ii) the interval between testing and (iii) the penalties for service personnel testing positive; and if he will make a statement. [137863]

§ Mr. Spellar
When first introduced by the Army in 1995, the Compulsory Drug Testing (CDT) programme routinely tested for: Cannabis, Cocaine, Amphetamines (including Ecstasy) and one of Opiates, Benzodiazepines or LSD. Since 15 October 1999, the tri-Service programme has tested routinely for: Cannabis, Cocaine, Amphetamines (including Ecstasy), Benzodiazepines and one of other Opiates or LSD.
If prevailing drug trends change, or a particular risk exists that is not covered by the routine testing programme and where appropriate analytical technology is available, other drugs of misuse can be added, exceptionally, to the testing programmes, e.g. performance enhancing drugs.
Increasing the frequency of CDT enhances deterrence but a balance must be established between deterrence and minimising disruption to the services operational and training commitments. A recent amendment to the random rolling drug testing strategy has increased the probability of higher risk groups being tested on a more frequent basis, without having a significant impact on the services' ability to meet their operational liability.
It continues to be service policy that, save in exceptional cases, a positive random test result, or the refusal to provide a specimen, will lead to Army and RAF officers being required to resign and to administrative discharge in the case of an RN officer. Soldiers, ratings and airmen will normally be administratively discharged. Personnel of the rank of lance corporal (and equivalent in the other services) and below may be retained in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of their Commanding Officer.

§ Mr. Keetch
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how often are members of(a) the Army, (b) the Navy and (c) the RAF tested for the use of controlled substances; which controlled substances are tested for; which testing kits are used; and if he will make a statement. [137862]

§ Mr. Spellar
The Army aims to test all personnel annually for drugs. Units that are deemed to be at higher risk by nature of their location or their previous Compulsory Drug Testing (CDT) record may be subject to more frequent testing. The Naval Service aims to conduct random testing in every ship and establishment at least annually, with some establishments subject to more regular testing, and this year plans to test approximately 30 per cent. of its personnel. The RAF aims to test 25 per cent. of its personnel annually. The services conduct their random CDT agenda as part of a rolling programme.
578W
Currently, the tri-service programme tests routinely for: Cannabis, Cocaine, Amphetamines (including Ecstasy), Benzodiazepines and one of either Opiates or LSD.
The drug testing process utilises Microgenics Clonable Enzyme Doner Immune-Assay (CEDIA) technology. Previous immuno-assay technologies utilised were Syva's EMTH and Roche' s ONLINE. Samples that screen positive are then confirmed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). A sample will be reported positive only after the presence of drugs has been verified by the confirmatory GC/MS process.