Court ruling puts Defence drug tests in doubt

The Australian Defence Force testing regime for illicit drugs has been undermined by a military court case in Darwin.

Debate in the Senate has revealed that in September a court dismissed drugs charges against a Defence Force member from Darwin's Robertson Barracks because the Army's random drug testing system was considered unlawful.

The Opposition has asked the Defence Minister if the cases of the other 46 soldiers caught during drug raids on the barracks last year could also be affected by the Defence magistrate's decision.

A Defence spokesman told the ABC last night that the Defence Force has suspended random drug tests but is continuing targeted testing based on suspicion or evidence of illicit drug use.

The spokesman could not confirm whether the suspension applied to the entire Defence Force, or just to Robertson Barracks.

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Pubdate: 8th December 2004
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au
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Copyright: 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation