A research paper on the effectiveness of the New Zealand Defence Force's drug policy has been welcomed by the Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson.
The research, completed by Major Andrena Patterson as part of her Master of Public Policy degree, shows the existing NZDF penalties for illicit drug use are felt by Service personnel to be an effective deterrent. Personnel surveyed want the NZDF to be consistent in its approach towards those who use illicit drugs.
Major Patterson sent questionnaires to 2138 (25 percent of the NZDF) random Regular Force personnel across all three Services. About half the surveys, filled out anonymously as required, were returned. The survey sought information on the respondents' knowledge of illicit drugs, their views on drug taking within the NZDF, and whether or not they had taken illicit drugs since they enlisted.
Air Marshal Ferguson says the NZDF has an obligation to provide a safe and healthy workplace. “We must always be mindful of the potential substance abuse has to seriously undermine teamwork and reliance on colleagues in both operational and non-operational situations.” The research, he says, is useful in that it provides information that will be beneficial in the NZDF's current review of its substance misuse policy.
“NZDF personnel come from all walks of society, so we must expect that in some ways, some attitudes towards illicit drug use, especially when personnel first enlist, will reflect society as a whole. We expect higher standards of our personnel, and expect all personnel to observe the law, along with the core values and ethics of the military.”
Of the 1059 survey respondents, 217, or 20.5 percent claim to have experimented with drugs at least once since they enlisted. Marijuana was the most commonly reported drug used.
NZDF Assistant Chief Personnel Commodore Bruce Pepperell says the Defence Force takes a holistic approach to the drug challenge and this includes strong policy, education, deterrents, and rehabilitation.
Urinalysis, a random check of urine for up to six different narcotics, is used in all three Services. These procedures, which last year were used to check approximately 3000 Service personnel, show that about one percent of those tested had used illicit drugs.
If personnel are found in possession of illicit drugs they will be disciplined. Those who test positive through urinalysis will be dealt with using administrative procedures, which generally result in counselling and a warning for release. Two positive urinalysis tests usually mean dismissal.
One of the aims of the review of the NZDF substance misuse policy is to provide consistency across the Services. Commodore Pepperell says Major Patterson's research reinforces that the NZDF is “going down the right path” with its policies on illicit drug use.
“If you are serious about improvement you have to subject your organisation to some form of scrutiny. Other research shows that about 50 percent of people outside the NZDF have tried an illicit drug at some stage in their life. Major Patterson's research indicates the figure is 20 percent in the NZDF. That's not good, but we don't know from the research results if those who say they have tried drugs did so 15 years ago before urinalysis, or even 30 years ago.
“Research suggests that if respondents to the survey were asked directly when they had tried drugs the response to the question would have been extremely low.” One of the many heartening aspects of the survey results was the attitude of the majority of those surveyed towards fellow personnel who use illicit drugs. “They don't want to work alongside someone who may be putting them, or their unit, at risk. They realise the health benefits of being drug-free, and appreciate being part of an organisation where their colleagues do not condone drug use.”
Major Patterson says her research paper is exploratory and pushes boundaries. She chose the subject because she felt it could be valuable to the NZDF. “I wanted to do a paper on something I was passionately interested in, and I knew from my time as a platoon commander and legal officer that soldiers, sailors and airmen felt they had something to say about illicit drug use. “I think the research shows NZDF personnel want a clear policy on illicit drug use, and want it to be consistently applied.”
Major Patterson has received an “A” range grade from Victoria University for her research paper.
Random check: Navy policeman Master at Arms Brendon Chase processes a urinalysis sample.