Does Drug Testing Influence Drug Choice?

Several years ago, a five-year study into drug use among American military recruits prior to their enlistment showed that 75% of recruits regularly consumed alcohol prior to enlistment and that 26% drank “heavily”. Half of the recruits were tobacco smokers, and 1/3 of them had used “illicit” drugs.

Another set of research conducted by the Uniformed Services of the Health Sciences reported that lower ranking military personal are far more likely to drink and consume drugs. 

In France 20% of all enlisted soldiers have confirmed they use marijuana regularly. One in twenty Canadian servicepeople use illegal drugs with cannabis being the main drug of choice, greatly shadowing cocaine; whereas in Britain the drug of choice has become cocaine, with heroin and ecstasy close behind. 

The difference in drug use between the enlisted and civilian populations of the world differs not in the amount of drugs consumed, but in the type. So, what is the reason why “harder” drugs are so popular among military personnel whereas cannabis is the drug of choice among the civilian population (and, coincidentally, French and Canadian servicepeople)?

Canada, Britain and the US all have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the military and drug use, however the tests for drug use are administered in different ways. Canadian Forces, for example, concentrate their testing on smaller populations in only one of the branches, or among key military professionals such as submariners or divers. In the US however, testing is much more unpredictable, and Britain tests about 85% of military. 

Why would the testing method and frequency affect the soldiers’ choice in drugs? Perhaps it has to do with the amount of time it takes marijuana to be excreted from the human body – up to thirty days. Cocaine, heroin and ecstasy, on the other hand, are out of the system in a matter of days. It stands to reason that 50% of the British servicepeople that get “caught” upon urine analysis are shown to have used marijuana. 

Perhaps it also stands to reason that soldiers, already having selected a dangerous calling, are risk averse and, ignoring the relative safety of marijuana, choose harder drugs instead. However it seems more likely that passing the drugs tests might be the overriding factor influencing their drug choice. 

At around age 18, when many kids are finishing school and thinking about going to university, working or joining the military, it would be quite ironic to think that some of the “hardest” parties aren’t taking place in university dorm rooms, but in military barracks around the world.