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Soldiers sacked over drug taking | Soldiers sacked over drug taking |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Ten soldiers from a Scots regiment are to be dismissed from the Army after failing drug tests. | Ten soldiers from a Scots regiment are to be dismissed from the Army after failing drug tests. |
The members of the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland tested positive during a random test this month. | The members of the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland tested positive during a random test this month. |
Army bosses have not disclosed the nature of the drugs identified, or the ranks of those who failed. | Army bosses have not disclosed the nature of the drugs identified, or the ranks of those who failed. |
A total of 441 soldiers took part in the 5 February test at the Borderers' Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh. | |
The Army has a zero-tolerance policy towards drug-taking, with the majority of soldiers found to be taking them instantly dismissed. | The Army has a zero-tolerance policy towards drug-taking, with the majority of soldiers found to be taking them instantly dismissed. |
The Army recruits largely from urban areas so it inherits the problems these areas have themselves Gordon MacKenzieDefence analyst | |
An army spokesman said: "Ten people from the 1st Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland failed compulsory drugs tests. | |
"They are all being discharged and have either gone or will be gone by early next week." | "They are all being discharged and have either gone or will be gone by early next week." |
Defence analyst Gordon MacKenzie, who was formerly an officer with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, said: "Drug-taking in the services is a problem up to a point. | |
"The Army recruits largely from urban areas across Britian so it inherits the problems these areas have themselves. | |
"The Army's zero tolerance policy is an attempt to make sure it doesn't interfere with operations or the behaviour of army personnel." | |
He said there was "a fraction of leeway" for those caught with drugs in their system. | |
'Way out' | |
"That leeway depends on the discretion of the officers involved," he said. | |
"But a positive test nearly always means you're on your way out." | |
There are more than 700 soldiers in the 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland. | There are more than 700 soldiers in the 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland. |
The drug tests happened a week before video footage of soldiers from the Borderers was published apparently showing them snorting a white powder. | The drug tests happened a week before video footage of soldiers from the Borderers was published apparently showing them snorting a white powder. |
After investigating the footage last week, army bosses said it now appeared the incident had been a practical joke. |