3/12/11

Some of the United States military services are starting to introduce random breath tests of the troops on duty. This applies particularly to the Navy and Marines. The random tests are a part of a broader health and safety push. Officials say that the push will be a tough sell with weary troops that are returning after a decade long war. This program is being installed to identify troops that need counseling or treatment. For the ones that test postivily for a high blood alcohol level or for illegal substances will not be allowed to go on duty but they will not be penalized on their permant record. Armed Forces such as the Army or Air Force do not have such a policy intact.

They are starting these tests because they are coming out of a decade long war and the long term effects that such a thing could have on someone is troubling. By installing such a program, you can see what troops need help and what ones are having trouble coping with what they just went through.

Some people are against this because such troops have been away for years on end and to just al of a sudden tell them that they can't enjoy themselves by drinking is somewhat wrong. They have fought for our country, haven't seen their families in over a decade, and want to celebrate returning home. They should be able to.

In my opinion, I think these tests are good and bad. They are bad because these troops are grown men and should be able to do what they want after being in combat for ten or so years. On the other hand, you don't want your troops getting out of hand. And by doing these tests, you can see who really needs help because of either what they did in combat or for their addiciton.

Part 2

It turns out that the number of Army soliders enrolled in treatment programs for drugs and/or alcohol has doubled since 2003. This is a sign of the growing stress on soliders after the war in Iraq and Afganhistan. Soliders diagnosed with alcohol abuse in 2003 was 6.1 per 1000 soliders. This has increased to nearly 11.4 per 1000 soliders. The Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Army have all noticed that this is do to stress in combat.