Pg. 122 Drug testing during 2024:

In 2024, the Defence Forces Drugs Testing Team (DF DTT) conducted 1,192 individual tests. During testing two distinct types of Drugs tests were conducted:

» Random Drug Testing, (R): The DF DTT conducted random drug tests in 22 locations, testing 1,188 personnel.

» Target Drug testing, (T): The DF DTT conducted four target tests during the testing period.

Together the total number of tests conducted in the DF was 1192, which equated to 12.54% of combined PDF/RDF strength. The 1192 tested (random and targeted) in 2024 includes 11 members of the Reserve Forces. One thousand one hundred and eighty one members of the PDF were tested, which represents 15.35% of the PDF. Eleven members of the RDF were tested, which represents 0.6% of the RDF.

At the end of the testing period, eight randomly selected individuals had a positive test recorded against their name. This figure represents 0.67% of the numbers tested. This figure is significantly lower than in previous years as indicated in Charts 2.5 and 2.6.

Further details are contained in Charts 2.5 and 2.6, along with comparisons with recent years.

It is worth noting that although there was a reduction in positives this year we had a notable increase in site visits which are in line with our aim to be more visible.

This serves to reinforce the importance of conducting Compulsory Random Drug Tests (CRDT) on an ongoing basis. Whilst the primary role of the process is to act as a deterrent, the inclusion and formalisation of an education and information campaign will reinforce the statement that “the use of illegal substances is incompatible with a career in the Defence Forces”