18 Royal Navy Sailors Failed Drugs Test: MoD
The Ministry of Defence announced on August 28th that 18 Royal Navy sailors deployed aboard the warship HMS Liverpool had not passed a routine drugs test - an episode that stands as the largest of its kind to have ever occurred within the RN.
"The Royal Navy does not tolerate misuse of drugs by its personnel and internal action is under way against all 18 individuals", the MoD stated, adding:"Notwithstanding the numbers involved in this single unprecedented incident, which is being treated very seriously, it has not affected the ship's ability to do its job."
HMS Liverpool
HMS Liverpool is a Type 42 Destroyer, which carries a crew of 240. Recent missions for the vessel have included a combined patrol around South Georgia, as well as frequent Falkland Islands patrols.
Historically, HMS Liverpool has also been involved in anti-drug operations, although the drug test failures are not associated with this.
According to reports, testing of the 18 sailors occurred while they were off the vessel and in Brazil. No information has yet emerged on the type of drugs discovered, or on whether any of the 18 were female.
Drug Test Results
A spokeswoman for the MoD, however, urged for the results of the test to be contextualised within society at large.
"Positive test rates in the Navy last year averaged less than 0.4%, compared with over 7% in civilian workplaces", she stated, adding: "We are not complacent though, and our compulsory drug tests will continue to expose those few that let the rest down."
Military Discharge
Standard practice within the British military as regards instances of drug test failure is for the serviceman/ woman concerned to be discharged.
Several days ago, five soldiers serving with the elite King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery failed to pass a drugs test.
Source - Armed Forces International's Political Correspondent
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