MORE than 100 Royal Navy submarine crews have been expelled for taking drugs in the last five years, statistics show.
They tested positive for cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, steroids and benzodiazepines.
The figures – released by the Ministry of Defense – show that 116 submariners tested positive for drugs between 2018 and 2022.
In 32 cases, the submariners were at sea at the time they failed the tests.
This raises concerns as the UK’s submarine fleet carries our nuclear deterrent.
The Navy operates ten submarines, all powered by onboard nuclear reactors.
And four – the Vanguard class – carry Trident nuclear missiles.
One of these four is always at sea.
A spokesperson said: “The Royal Navy has a zero tolerance drug policy and will not tolerate the misuse of drugs by any service personnel.
“We maintain a comprehensive program of mandatory random drug testing to ensure maximum deterrence.”
In 2022, the Navy launched an inquiry into behavior on its submarines following reports from female submariners of bullying, sexual assault and harassment.
The report has not yet been published and critics of the Navy have accused it of dragging its feet in publishing the inquiry.
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