This gives them the opportunity to abuse the drugs and get away with it.

Reports are now surfacing that suicide and drug use have been steadily increasing among the ranks, a problem perceived to be a lot more dangerous than the enemies that they face in war. It has been nine years since US Army soldiers have started going back and forth in war zones and most of them are stressed out due to repeated deployment and lack of support when they do come home from war. In fact, there are even cases that one might test positive for drugs again. The Army is somehow failing on their drug testing procedures, and allows prescriptions that can be easily filled â as neededâ without posting expiration dates.

The suicide rate among soldiers has been steadily increasing since 2004 and in 2008, it was way higher among soldiers than among civilians. Prescription drugs use also tripled in the last five years, with amphetamine drug use doubling from 2006 to 2009.

This translates to one third of the total soldier population on at least one prescription drug and that 14% have been taking strong painkillers.