DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 405/09
Sunday, 22 November 2009
AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE REFUTES DRUG USE IN
AFGHANISTAN CLAIM
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) refutes the claim in today’s Sunday Telegraph
and Sunday Mail Brisbane that members of the ADF are using illicit drugs while
deployed on tours of duty in Afghanistan and are returning home addicted. The ADF
had recently provided detailed responses to the journalists responsible for this article
and deplores the fact that they chose to omit much of the information provided to
them in search of a headline.
The ADF has conducted Prohibited Substance Testing in Afghanistan since 2005.
Since testing commenced all test results for members of the ADF deployed on
operations in Afghanistan have been negative.
“On the basis of these results today’s story is completely baseless,” the Chief of the
Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said.
Tests conducted under the Prohibited Substance Testing Program include both
random testing (where personnel are randomly selected for testing) and targeted
testing (where information is considered and personnel are targeted for testing on the
basis of information brought to the attention of the command).
The Prohibited Substance Testing Program is conducted in accordance with the
appropriate Australian/New Zealand Standard and tests for the following five drug
classes: Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Methylamphetamines, Opiates (including heroin)
and Cannabis. In addition, the Australian Defence Force members may also be tested
for the use of steroids.
Between 16 June 2005 and 31 August 2009, more than 35,000 tests were conducted
on ADF members, both in Australia and those deployed overseas on operations. The
average rate of positive results over that period has been 1.54 percent.
The Australian Defence Force positive test percentage of 0.98 percent for the current
Fiscal Year (July to August 2009) is lower than that recorded against the preceding
FYs (05/06: 1.76 percent, 06/07: 1.81 percent, 07/08: 1.52 percent and 08/09: 1.29
percent). The low use of prohibited substances by the Australian Defence Force
members is attributed to the selection and recruitment process, education and the
culture of non-tolerance.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
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