Do you feel the use of illegal drugs is becoming a problem in the military?

Question

ABC News ran a special last night about a possible problem with the use of illegal drugs (most notably cocaine, marijuana, meth) by returning troops from Iraq and Afghanistan as a way to get away from the realities of war they face in their lives after returning home. I didn't see the special but read about it on military.com. Do currently serving members of our Armed Forces see the problem escalating on bases around the US in larger numbers and easier to get the drug of choice, or is it a fairly small number and those are using this habit as an excuse for possible injuries or trauma experienced? Also, do you feel the DoD is doing enough to help the soldiers/sailors/marines/airmen/coast guardsmen including reserve components with addiction problems? Im really interested in hearing what Active and Reserve troops and Vets of the current conflicts have to say or know themselves on the issue. Respectful answers only please.

So far great answers guys and ladies! Keep em coming too. Read the article about this story on military.com and just thought it seemed very worthy of discussion, so like I said...keep the answers flowing!

Answer 1

The ABC News article shows a fundamental lack of misunderstanding about the situation. The fact is that drugs are a problem with military personnel world-wide. The fact that soldiers are returning from Iraq or Afghanistan really doesn't play a significant role.

In my mind though the larger problem is the Chain of Commands present decision to overlook such problems. I think that in the case of drugs such as marijuana when a soldier is stationed state-side they should perhaps be given another chance. I personally know several people who tested positive for hard narcotics such as cocaine and meth who weren't seperated from the military. The present leadership is putting numbers ahead of responsibility.

Answer 2

My goodness ABC,did not run nothing new that we haven't known about for decades or those of us who have served in the military especially during war time or peace time it does not matter when the time was.
Growing up during the Vietnam war that is all we saw on the news about the illegal drugs that the soldiers were taking mainly to cope believe it or not and personal n close to home my cousin a Marine,came home addicted as well after the (Tet-Offensive) so I saw it first hand and if we go back through history some were it has always been a problem n I myself no! not adrug problem served in the military as well I entered just as Vietnam was ending age was the difference in my entry I was not old enough to go during Vietnam,else I would have n I wanted too.
I am not trying to make excuses or defend my fellow veterans either but as my cousin told me all he had to do was put his hand out of his barracks windows while in Vietnam,n pull in a hand full of weed is that easy enough n of course my fellow veterans have to see the problem rising because they r on the inside were it is happening first hand but if u think they r going to drop a dime on there fellow soldier u-r- wrong because they understand especially if u-r- in a combat zone n on the other hand u need that soldier to have a clear head as well to cover ur back in a war zone so their is a catch 22 here it is a matter of life n death so what do u do?
Listen we can talk about this to the end of time but lets face the facts here this will never go away as long as there r wars or something else going on whether home or abroad or in theater face it,it just will not go away we can talk about it news station can report it we will see it in the military returning home including family members but it will always be in the lives of the US military who seek it and want it as n escape especially during a time of war that is just the realities we have to face n I hope I am proven wrong in my life time but I doubt it history is on my side on this one.

Answer 3

Illegal drugs have always been a problem in the military.......but I see no significant increase of abuse.
The military does everything it can to control and treat drug abuse.

During the Vietnam War the liberal ABC News came to my unit......They asked each troop what they Thought about the war.....If the troop was patriotic.....they moved on....If the troop said something negative.....on came the cameras and the recorders......the troops quickly learned .....If you want Suzie and Mom to see you on TV.....just bad mouth the war.....
ABC news did not "report" the news it created it....

ABC also did a graphic report on a group of "typical" troops who smoked grass on patrol.....even used their shotgun as a bong...... it made everyone think our troops were all druggies and high when they went into combat
I spent a year in the mud and the blood.... I led and went on patrols all the time....nobody used illegal drugs..... they would get you killed..... only ran across drugs twice..... our company clerk was caught with drugs...... and I got a infantry reject druggie who lasted three days before I put him in ASCOM jail......
There were hundreds of thousands of good honorable patriotic troops who served in Vietnam..... to label them druggies , war criminals or PTSD time bombs.....because of the actions of a FEW soldiers in grossly inaccurate and unfair

And I suspect the same is true of Iraq

Answer 4

What the biased media does not tell you is that drug use is a fraction of what it was in the past. The media has an axe to grind and they'll twist the story to fit their agenda.

When I enlisted in the Army in 1984, drug use was out of control. We had a revolving door of guys being chaptered out of the Army for coming up hot on the urine test.

What the Army has always had is a robust ADACP (Alcohol and Drug Addiction Control Program) which includes mandatory referral and counseling for any drug or alcohol incident.

Answer 5

I don't see how this could be happening when on post or any other military base. All soldiers are randomly urine tested around the clock, 24/7.
Now if you're talking about returning soldiers who get a hold of the drugs here, then that's another story.

Answer 6

The ones on it are the ones who are being repressed, so if you don't do the drugs, then you don't have a problem. It is a matter of personal choice. You didn't mention ganja, which is probably more prevalent than the drugs you mentioned, and costs the justice system untold amounts of money.

Answer 7

Im in the Army and have not noticed any increase or decrease in drug abusers in the military. Seems about the same. I have been in the military since 1987.
The military has good programs to help drug and alcohol abusers but those programs only work if someone wants to quit.

Answer 8

I didn't see the report. However, we had the same problem after Nam. I feel this time America is more prepared to deal with these issues. I also think the report could misleading. I know several soldiers that have served in both theatres and are just fine. I'm not saying the problem does not exist, I just have not had to deal with it on a personal level.

Answer 9

Actually, all the stories I heard in the 70's and 80's sounded alot worse!! Granted, there are cases of drug abuse in today's military, but from what I've seen it's about average from past years. As far as people abusing drugs after coming back from being deployed, I think they were using before they left and just weren't caught yet.

Answer 10

No it is illegals! It is colleges, the leftist, ideology! As if..?
All of a sudden it is a problem in the military! Anything to take away the honor of the military! Propaganda! Our military is the very BEST of America! It is all that we have left that is good and people want to destroy it. They protect what is good. Unfortunely, we are a nation of illegals and lawbending politicians.