Illegal Drugs Usage in the Military

Paper Summary:

This paper examines drug usage in the United States military and some of the steps the military is taking to combat drugs. The paper explains that drug usage in the military is beginning to rise again and the military is attempting to combat illegal drug usage in a variety of ways. The paper then points out that the military seems to be sending the wrong message by reducing waiting times for drug tests and may be adding to the problem with these new policies. The paper also looks at how the U.S. military continues to pursue illegal drug use among its members by testing before and after enlistment and making it clear that the military has a "zero-tolerance" stand on drug abuse. The paper suggests that many soldiers do not need zero-tolerance, they need help and understanding to break their addiction.

From the Paper:

"Drug use in the military is not new. World War II veterans remember taking methamphetamines to stay awake during combat, and marijuana usage was quite common during the Vietnam War. However, today the U.S. military frowns on illegal drug use, and they have taken several steps to make sure that military personnel do not take illegal drugs. Before enlistment, recruits must pass a drug test, and there is random drug testing throughout the military after enlistment. In fact, "the military randomly tests about 10 percent of personnel each month" ("Drug Use"). Unfortunately, there is still an illegal drug problem in the military, and personnel who test positive for drugs can face discharge."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Drug Use in Military Increasing." NewsMax.com. 2 Aug. 2002. 25 March 2004.< http://www.newsmax.com/showinside.shtml?a=2002/8/2/205708 >
• Bachman, Jerald G. Smoking, Drinking, and Drug Use in Young Adulthood: The Impacts of New Freedoms and New Responsibilities. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1997.
• Bray, Robert M., John A. Fairbank, and Mary Ellen Marsden. "Stress and Substance Use among Military Women and Men." American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 25.2 (1999): 239.
• Scarborough, Rowan. "Military Loosens Drug Retest Policy." The Washington Times 2 June 2000: 6.

More papers on Illegal Drugs Usage in the Military:

• Essay # 54499 : "Drugs in the Military"
• Essay # 67516 : "Ethics in the Military"

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