Duntroon cadets busted for drug use

CANBERRA - Nine Australian officer cadets have been turned in by classmates for allegedly using Ecstasy and amphetamines at Royal Military College Duntroon, the school that trains most of the nation's future military leaders.

An investigation into the alleged drug use was announced yesterday by the college commandant, Brigadier Chris Appleton, and follows a series of similar busts within the defence force.

"The investigation is part of the ongoing application of the Army's 'no drugs' policy," he said.

"Illegal drug use by any member of the Army is unacceptable. People who use drugs place their own safety, and that of their mates, at risk."

The investigation is the first major drugs probe at the elite 92-year-old college, modelled on Britain's Sandhurst and America's West Point and whose first commandant, Brigadier-General William Thorsby Bridges, was killed at Gallipoli.

But drugs elsewhere have become an increasing problem for the Army. A zero-tolerance policy and urine-testing programme introduced in 1995 exposed drug use among a number of Australia's most important front-line troops.

Late last year, military and civilian police swooped in a series of raids on Darwin's Robertson Barracks, and several dozen soldiers tested positive for illegal substances.

This year allegations were made of soldiers trading weapons and sophisticated gear such as night vision equipment for drugs supplied by motorcycle gangs based in Darwin.

In March, 19 soldiers of the rapid-reaction 3rd Brigade at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville were investigated after allegations were made to military police.

Random drug tests at Duntroon in May failed to find any trace of drugs, but yesterday nine male and female cadets - all preparing for graduation - were required to provide urine samples after allegations of drug abuse were reported.

"Today's operation was the result of an ongoing investigation that was instigated when members of the Royal Military College came forward to raise allegations of drug use," Appleton said.

"That our people continue to come forward to alert the chain of command to illegal drug use is a clear sign that they will not tolerate it."

The cadets under investigation may return to training until police inquiries are completed.

Appleton said if they were cleared he would be "delighted to shake their hand ... and welcome them back into training".

But if drug use was confirmed the cadets would need to justify why they should remain in the Army.