Nearly 200 Royal Navy sailors within the highly trained nuclear submarine force have been discovered using drugs in the past seven years. Ministry of Defence data revealed that 175 submariners tested positive for various banned substances such as cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, steroids, and benzodiazepine between 2018 and 2024.
Former British military intelligence colonel, Philip Ingram, emphasized the unsuitability of drug use within the Armed Forces, particularly in critical areas like the submarine service where drug users could be vulnerable to exploitation for classified information. He stressed the importance of maintaining zero tolerance towards drug use.
Out of the 175 cases, 52 submariners were caught using drugs while on duty aboard submarines. Most of the individuals involved have been dismissed. However, a few personnel may have avoided punishment if they were unaware of the banned status of the substances or had mitigating circumstances.
It is suspected that some of the individuals who failed drug tests were part of the Vanguard-class submarines, which house the UK’s Trident 2 nuclear missiles. The submarine service is under increased pressure, with sailors on Vanguard vessels facing extended periods at sea, and deployment challenges for the Navy’s Astute-class submarines.
Former Navy commanders expressed concerns that sailors might be turning to drugs to cope with the demands of their roles. The Royal Navy has a strict policy against drug misuse and conducts regular training to educate personnel on the repercussions of non-compliance.
The MoD confirmed that no drugs had been found on any submarine during searches in the past seven years. The Navy reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on drug misuse, highlighting the severe consequences individuals face if found violating the policy, including immediate discharge from the service.
