(Part Five of a Five-Part Series)
Read Part One: War Vets Fighting Addiction
Read Part Two: Self-Medicating Medics
Read Part Three: Hidden Wounds Lead to Drugs
Read Part Four: Stoned and Stonewalled at Bragg
Harsh Treatment for Marines Who Use DrugsABC News | November 30, 2007
U.S. Marines caught using illegal drugs often face harsh punishment from the military, according to counselors, veterans' advocates and military defense attorneys. Marines have been kicked out of the service with loss of benefits, or even thrown in jail despite their claim that they turned to drugs to cope with their battlefield experiences in Iraq.
While the Marine Corps does provide substance abuse and counseling, experts say rehabilitation often loses out to punishment and discipline.
"Use drugs? You're gone. There is not any great interest in rehabilitating; there's not any great interest in tending to these people," said attorney David Brahms, a former Marine general who has many Marines clients. "It is a waste of resources; it is a waste of energy. Why tend to people who we want to, and are going to, throw out?"
When he decided he wanted to help serve his country, Lance Cpl. Matt McLauchlin chose to enter the Marine Corps, an elite branch of the military renowned for its strong tradition of commitment and discipline.
"My grandfather, he was a Marine, so I figured&to join the best," said McLauchlin, was was deployed to Iraq out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
McLauchlin was injured in Iraq when insurgents shot a rocket into the middle of his base. The blast killed one Marine, injured several others and almost killed McLauchlin, who had a severed artery in his shoulder and shrapnel in his spine.
Rest of this really excellent series at:
http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,157304,00.html