Tennessee National Guard soldiers turn to drugs for a reason

If they use drugs, it is the military's fault. Plain and simple. These men and women were not using drugs before they enlisted in the National Guard. They were not using during deployment. They used them afterwards but this doesn't seem to make a difference when so many are being kicked out instead of being helped.

Some want to pass this off as "get rid of them" but they are not thinking about the big picture and why someone willing to risk their lives for others, paying the price with their bodies in training, would suddenly care so little they would risk getting caught using drugs. Anyone paying attention to this part? Is congress? Why are they used up and then tossed out when they do not get what they need to heal from where we sent them?


Tennessee Soldiers Turn To Drugs After Combat

Some Kicked Out Of National Guard
Reported by Caroline Moses
POSTED: 5:23 pm CDT May 19, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --
There's a big problem with some soldiers returning to Middle Tennessee after serving their country, and it seems to be a growing trend. So far this year, twice as many of National Guards members have failed drug tests compared to the last two years.

These are soldiers who fought for their country then returned home from war and failed drug tests. Why are they turning to drugs after combat? Experts said it has to do with what's inside their head.

Soldiers who join the National Guard know that means they will be drug tested. The tests are random and come before and after soldiers are deployed.

"You are a different person when you get back, and if you don't understand how to deal with that, you can turn to these other mechanisms that seem to medicate it," said Mike Jones, executive director of Not Alone, a nonprofit group that aims to help soldiers who suffer post-war mental health issues.

Jones served in Iraq and Afghanistan and suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder afterward. He said he understands what returning from war feels like. That's why he is concerned when any soldier turns to drugs.
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Tennessee Soldiers Turn To Drugs After Combat