The costs of drug testing, and the benefits

The Irish Mirror reports on drug testing in the Defence Forces:

The Defence Forces have paid almost €200,000 to a private company to carry out random drug testing on its personnel in the past four years. 

At least 105 members of the services have tested positive since compulsory checks were introduced in 2003. 

The screening team is comprised of Defence Forces staff, Medical Corps personnel and civilian collection officers. 

Alere Toxicology PLC has held the contract for the tests since 2012, during which time it has been paid €199,673. 

In that period 51 military personnel have tested positive while approximately 5,375 random checks were carried out.