The Ministry of Defense may ease its zero-tolerance policy on soft drugs.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence is considering easing its strict zero-tolerance policy on soft drugs for soldiers, potentially shifting from immediate dismissal to a stronger focus on awareness and prevention.
Currently, the use of hard drugs by military personnel leads to instant dismissal, whether it occurs on or off duty. Soldiers caught using soft drugs in their free time receive a warning, but a second offense results in dismissal, while use during working hours leads to immediate termination.
A spokesperson told Nieuwsuur (Current Affairs Programme) that attitudes toward drug use are changing and that the army is reviewing its approach. Under the new direction, violations would result in warnings instead of automatic dismissal, while educational efforts about risks and responsibilities would be increased. Since 2021, random drug tests have led to around 50 soldiers leaving the service each year.
Military union official جون فان دير هولست strongly opposes the plan, arguing that soldiers must always be fit for rapid deployment. He warned that drug use could endanger lives during high-risk tasks such as driving, diving, shooting, and parachuting, especially for personnel required to be ready within 48 hours.
Former soldier بيبين, who was dismissed after being caught smoking marijuana following an exercise, said the current policy is unfair. He argued that heavy alcohol consumption is tolerated even though it can affect performance the next day, while limited cannabis use would not necessarily impair a soldier’s ability to work.