TORONTO, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- An increasing number of Canadian soldiers may be using, dealing and becoming addicted to drugs, say reports from Canadian Forces officials.
Marijuana remains most commonly used, followed by cocaine, ecstasy and a rise in methamphetamine use, said three reports obtained by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
Soldiers who become addicted "pose a significant security and operational threat," said one report, noting methamphetamine poses a "high" threat to Canadian military personnel, the CBC reported Saturday.
Canadian troops stationed in Afghanistan continue to be at risk for drug use and drug trafficking, especially in heroin, said a second report called Task Force Afghanistan Criminal Intelligence Overview.
A review of Canadian troops at home and aboard reported 198 drug offenses in 2006 -- 28 for trafficking and 170 for possession of drugs, said a National Criminal Intelligence Assessment report.
"Compared to previous years, trafficking offenses have seen a steady increase, while possession offenses demonstrated a significant spike for 2006," that report said.
