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Newsbrief:
Iowa
Guardsmen
Home
from
Iraq
Face
Drug
Discipline
3/5/04
The Iowa National Guard sent
21 soldiers to Iraq despite positive drug tests that normally would have
kept them home. Now, after they survived months of service in the
war zone, the Guard wants to throw them out with dishonorable discharges,
according to the Des Moines Register.
The Register unearthed a
memo from Iowa National Guard judge advocate general Lt. Col. Michael Kuehn
notifying commanders that positive drug test results would be "held in
suspense" until soldiers arrive back from Iraq, when the Guard will begin
steps to discharge them "other than honorably" in every case. "Regardless
of whether they come back a war hero, served admirably or were a dirtball,
they'll be processed for separation," said Kuehn.
Of the 2,158 Iowa Guardsman
called up through last April, 37 tested positive for drugs, but the results
were not known before the soldiers left the state. Sixteen soldiers
were not mobilized because their tests came back positive, the Register
reported. The Iowa troops in Iraq are assigned to medical treatment
units and the supply convoys that have been the target of frequent attacks
by Iraqi insurgents.
One Iowa Guard official told
the Register he hoped commanders would take troops' battlefield service
into account. "They have made sacrifices. They've performed
their mission over there in an outstanding manner," said Maj. Gen. Ron
Dardis, the Iowa Guard's adjutant general. "I would hope that their
commanders take that into consideration."
-- END --
|
Issue #327, 3/5/04
Editorial: What's the Real Reason? |
The 2005 Federal Anti-Drug Budget: More of the Same, and Some Hidden Costs |
The 2004 Federal Drug Strategy: Drug Czar Makes It Official -- It's War on Pain Patients, Doctors |
Fight Looms Over Detroit Medical Marijuana Measure |
UN Drug Report Criticizes Safe Injection Sites |
Screenings! "BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters" to Air Around the Country March 29th to April 12th -- Host One in Your Home or Community or School! |
DRCNet StoptheDrugWar.org Merchandise Special Extended |
Newsbrief: Players in Haiti Revolt Linked to Drug Traffic |
Newsbrief: With Vermont Medical Marijuana Bill Pending, Burlington Voters Send a Message |
Newsbrief: Iowa Guardsmen Home from Iraq Face Drug Discipline |
Newsbrief: Thailand to Launch New Drug War This Month, Shrugs off US Human Rights Criticism |
Newsbrief: Doctors, Scientists Urge Media to End "Crack Baby" Myth |
Newsbrief: Canadian New Democratic Party Calls for Regulation of Marijuana |
Newsbrief: Jamaica Ganja Decrim Moves Toward Parliament Vote |
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