Reports: Rise In Number Of UK Troops Caught Taking Drugs

The Armed Forces have seen a 30% increase in personnel caught taking drugs including cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy, according to new figures.

Data obtained by The Sun newspaper under Freedom of Information laws indicate that nearly 1,000 members of the British military have failed drug tests in the last year, with hundreds reportedly being discharged and others awaiting disciplinary action.

But the overall number of personnel failing drug tests is still incredibly low, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence. They said: 

"We conduct compulsory drug tests because substance misuse is incompatible with service life. Only around 0.3% of the Armed Forces fail them and anyone who falls short of our high standards can expect to be disciplined."

The RAF saw the biggest rise, with 80 of its personnel caught compared to 40 in 2015, while the Army had 730 soldiers test positive, an increase from 570 in 2015.  

The Navy saw 60% more sailors and marines caught using drugs, with the number rising to 50 from 30.

Apart from cocaine, ecstasy, and cannabis, 50 soldiers tested positive for taking banned steroids.

The Foot Guards were one of the worst offending units in the Army, with 80 members testing positive over a two-year period. 

The Royal Regiment of Scotland had 90 failures, while the Royal Engineers, which consists of several units, had 110.

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