alex revision
July 11th, 2010, 11:20 PM
Australian soldiers weary of war: Study
Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:57:26 GMT
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=134372§ionid=351020406
The US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are weighing heavily on Australian soldiers as a new survey shows troops complain over lack of equipment and addiction to illegal drugs.
A survey of frontline troops disclosed by The Australian newspaper has cast a harsh spotlight on the hidden trauma of life for troops on the ground.
The survey, which is part of a $12 million health study funded by the Australian government, indicate many Australian soldiers currently stationed in Afghanistan and several of those who served in Iraq until 28 July 2009 suffer from drug addiction and paralyzing stress disorders emanating from long and intense operations.
According to The Australian, transcripts of drug prescriptions for 120 serving and former troops from the two Iraq offensives, dating back to the early 1990s, and the ongoing war in Afghanistan reveal that pilots are being addicted to Stilnox and other prescribed drugs.
Stilnox ( Zolpidem) is a prescription medication used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, as well as some brain disorders.
The results of the study also show that the soldiers have been engaged in underground trade in illicit substances and sex.
"Their frank and often disheartening comments, were so controversial that Defense has removed the transcripts from a research website and threatened reprisals over the apparent breach of information security," The Australian wrote on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Australian Defense Force brushed aside several of claims made by soldiers in the controversial survey, saying a large number of concerns have been addressed while the Defense will look into those remaining issues.
The revelation comes a month after a young Australian army commando lost his life in Afghanistan due to illegal drug overdose.
Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:57:26 GMT
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=134372§ionid=351020406
The US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are weighing heavily on Australian soldiers as a new survey shows troops complain over lack of equipment and addiction to illegal drugs.
A survey of frontline troops disclosed by The Australian newspaper has cast a harsh spotlight on the hidden trauma of life for troops on the ground.
The survey, which is part of a $12 million health study funded by the Australian government, indicate many Australian soldiers currently stationed in Afghanistan and several of those who served in Iraq until 28 July 2009 suffer from drug addiction and paralyzing stress disorders emanating from long and intense operations.
According to The Australian, transcripts of drug prescriptions for 120 serving and former troops from the two Iraq offensives, dating back to the early 1990s, and the ongoing war in Afghanistan reveal that pilots are being addicted to Stilnox and other prescribed drugs.
Stilnox ( Zolpidem) is a prescription medication used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, as well as some brain disorders.
The results of the study also show that the soldiers have been engaged in underground trade in illicit substances and sex.
"Their frank and often disheartening comments, were so controversial that Defense has removed the transcripts from a research website and threatened reprisals over the apparent breach of information security," The Australian wrote on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Australian Defense Force brushed aside several of claims made by soldiers in the controversial survey, saying a large number of concerns have been addressed while the Defense will look into those remaining issues.
The revelation comes a month after a young Australian army commando lost his life in Afghanistan due to illegal drug overdose.