Army officers accused of dealing cocaine to young soldiers as new figures reveal failed drug tests DOUBLED last year
THE British Army’s recruitment slogan “fail, learn, win” could be “deal, score, lose” – due to widespread substance abuse in the military.
Whistleblowers say those trusted with promotion are pushing drugs on to newcomers — and teens face violence when they can’t later pay.
A Sun Freedom of Information request revealed that the number of troops failing compulsory drug tests has more than DOUBLED in a year, from 380 in 2020 to 825 in 2021.
Multiple sources have confirmed that cocaine abuse is rising and have warned that senior officers must get a grip on the situation.
A recent trend for members of the armed forces to want a ripped physique is also driving up steroid abuse on bases.
Other drugs such as MDMA are also used.
Read More on the Army
Pushers are contacting servicemen and women while they are out on Thursday night booze-ups to offer them cocaine.
The deadly class-A powder has become the drug of choice because it leaves the system within four days, making it far harder to detect.
Testing is carried out randomly, with the frequency varying between locations.
The most recent records show that in just three years more than 20 members of the Armed Forces were found guilty of dealing offences.
Most read in News
Pushers included corporals, lance corporals and a sergeant.
During the three years up to December 2020 there were more than 50 courts-martial for drug-related offences.
The Army, RAF and Navy are all affected, while members of the elite Marines and Grenadier Guards have been found guilty of supply charges.
One ex-soldier told The Sun: “People are doing what they want to and getting away with it.
“Some are taking advantage of their position of power. They are targeting young, vulnerable kids 18 or 19 years old.
“They are getting their minions to knock it out to people then having them beaten up when they can’t pay.
50 Forces’ courts-martial over drugs in three years.
Sun source
“The victims can’t report it because they would have to admit taking drugs, and then they would be kicked out.”
The scandal comes as the Ministry of Defence struggles to recruit and retain troops.
In 2018, the then defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, introduced a one strike and you are out rule for anyone testing positive for drugs.
That meant the military had to ditch too many men and women, who cost around £38,000 to train.
Ben Wallace, the minister currently responsible for the MoD, gave senior officers the opportunity to show discretion.
But our sources say the military police need to catch the gangs recruiting impressionable youngsters.
‘I feel deep shame’
Some veterans who have battled substance abuse broke the code of silence and are now speaking out to prevent others following in their bootsteps.
Gary Weaving, CEO of the charity Forgotten Veterans, told The Sun: “There is a lot of cocaine abuse on military bases.
“They are pushing it on to youngsters. It is a growing problem. There is a lot of peer pressure.”
Afghanistan veteran Gary, who used to take cocaine but has been clean for six years, added: “Dealers call soldiers on a Thursday night.
“They know they are out getting drunk and can sell it to them.
“Cocaine comes out of the system quickly, so if they have a weekend off they know they will be clean by Tuesday, which means less chance of them getting caught by checks.”
825 soldiers failed tests last year.
Sun source
John, a former member of the Coldstream Guards who did not want to give his full name, was discharged in 2019 after cocaine was found in his system during a compulsory drug test.
He says: “I had taken cocaine about three or four times when the drug testers turned up on a Monday morning.
“Everyone had to give a urine sample and I thought I would be in the clear but I tested positive with around six others.
“I feel a deep sense of shame and lost my career for nothing.”
Another base reported to have a problem with cocaine is Gibraltar, where a number of soldiers have tested positive over the past year.
In May 2019 Garry Lowe, 37, a former corporal in the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply outside the Mediterranean barracks.
'There was a lot of fear in me'
Oliver James, 39, who was kicked out of the RAF after testing positive for cocaine in 2010, said: “There will be other people there now in the RAF playing the game — drugs on a Friday and taking Monday and Tuesday off so they are clean by Wednesday. There was a lot of fear in me.”
There is a huge debate within the military about how to handle the problem.
Some parents argue that it is up to the top brass to offer rehab to users, rather than kicking them out.
Special Forces soldier Danny Johnston, 35, took his own life in 2018 after being thrown out of the Army five years earlier for taking Valium to help him sleep.
His mum Viv, 65, says: “Danny put himself in danger time and time again when operating for Special Reconnaissance.
“He was totally let down. People like him need help.”
Senior personnel pushing to young lads.
Sun source
Forgotten Veterans chief Gary claims the MoD sent letters a year ago to soldiers who had been dismissed for failing drug tests offering them a second chance.
He says: “If serving military personnel are honest and come forward, saying they have been taking drugs, they should be put on treatment programmes rather than being kicked out.”
A report by Anglia Ruskin university last year found that cocaine was the drug most used by military personnel.
The authors, who spoke to dismissed members of the forces, said: “There were some reports of harsh and humiliating treatment in the aftermath of a positive result.”
Dr Hugh Milroy, CEO of the crisis support charity Veterans Aid, claims it is “incredibly difficult” to access treatment within the military.
He said: “I have to find the money for detox. Very few of the service charities will ever get involved. It’s scandalous.”
Read More on The Sun
An MoD spokesperson said: “Armed Forces personnel caught dealing or taking drugs can expect to be discharged.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“Each of the services also has a comprehensive education programme on the dangers and consequences of substance misuse.”
- Additional reporting: Matthew Barbour and Sean Rayment
