When one mentions the word “Australian Army” what comes to mind? We think of the Australian army as a highly disciplined force – people of high moral and ethical integrity, people of strength and valour armed to the teeth, keeping vigil on the nation’s air, sea and water borders. We do not think of them as a bunch of generally undisciplined louts with drug and alcohol abuse. How fair is our expectation that the army be clean as driven snow1?
Consider this:
- Drug and alcohol use generally begins in the school and colleges
- Our army recruits from the schools and colleges
- The majority of those opting to join the Australian army are kids who do not fancy bright careers elsewhere.
- Love for guns and explosives seem to be the major reason for joining the Australian army.
The extent of the problem
Given the above background, I except most would reconsider their assessment of the Australian army. This is not to say that young recruits cannot improve or be disciplined once they sign-up. Indeed, most young recruits to the Australian army do change but the sizeable minority drug and alcohol users continue to exist and cause serious trouble.
In fact, the extent of the problem is indicated by the Australian Army’s advertisements seeking to sign-up specialists for eradicating drug and alcohol abuse in the army. Some estimates suggest the number of drug and alcohol abusers in the Australian army could be as high as 57,000. 2
In a recent interview, Chief of Army, Ken Gillespie claimed that more Australian soldiers died due to incidents stemming from drug and alcohol abuse then soldiers who died while on duty in Afghanistan.
Clearly, muscle power, drug and alcohol do not mix with guns and explosives. In fact, during a recent basketball tournament near Albury army barracks, it was reported that the players from the Australian army were found to be inebriated and even enacted crude initiation ceremonies. There have also been a spate of charges of sexual harassment against young cadets. Clearly, much needs to be done by the Australian army before successfully eradicating drug and alcohol abuse completely. 3
Possible solutions to eradicate the drug and alcohol abuse problem
Some of the possible solutions and ideas being discussed include a more detailed screening of new recruits. Any new recruit that found to have a drug and alcohol problem was to be first ‘cured’ of the problem.
Another idea being discussed is to ensure the members of the army were kept adequately busy doing productive work so that they did not have time to indulge in drug and alcohol abuse or behaviour unbecoming of an army officer.
It is hoped some of these and other ideas being offered would be implemented at the earliest and that the Australian army would once again regain the trust and admiration of the nation. 4
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References
1. The Australian Army: http://www.army.gov.au/
2. Drug abuse reports in the Australian army: http://www.smh.com.au/national/defence-to-deal-with-its-alcohol-drug-abuse-culture-20110116-19sly.html
3. Drug abuse reports in the Australian army: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/us-army-top-brass-blamed-for-rise-in-troop-suicides/story-e6frg6so-1225899208617
4. Possible solutions for the Australian army: http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/R600_85.pdf
