NAVY NEWS, FEBRYARY 2010 25
● HMS Cornwall in Grand Harbour
Picture: Mike Gray
we want them out of here’
already in the process, perhaps thing that...”
those whose sample was too dilute, Both Dave and Mick admit that
or are on the IRT (individual re-test although the CDT job is an unusual
list),” said Dave. departure from their expected
“Everyone is on our radar.” career paths, it has proved to be a
That being the case, most units
hugely enjoyable appointment.
are happy to co-operate and get it
There are overseas trips as well
over with as smoothly as possible.
as extensive travel in the UK, and
“The majority of ships and
they set their own agenda – though
establishments are happy to comply
they have to be very travel savvy to
– we get no problems with planning
wring every last drop of value out
them in if they can plan us in.
of their modest budget in order
“And if we did have any problems,
to meet their annual testing target
we’ve got the backing of DNPS
of one third of the Navy, around
(Director Naval Personnel and
1,000 men and women each month
Strategy)...”
on average.
As Dave sat in the departure
“It is a diverse and quite exciting
lounge of Gatwick Airport, waiting
job” agreed Dave.
for the Air Malta departure, he
“One minute you are on a
took a call from a Royal Marines
minehunter, the next on an aircraft
officer in command of an Other
Rank who had produced a positive
carrier or an RFA, the next on
(centre) with monitor AB(SEA) K Jones (left) and LET(ME) Asha Delpesche,
result.
a submarine or travelling to
ting
Dave discreetly took the officer
somewhere like Malta, Rio or St
ce, trying to fool the testers with a fake Some sailors do seem to see the through some of the legal aspects of
Lucia.”
DT sample, will also suffer. CDT team more frequently than the process.
“We are now getting the message
as There are not many who fall others – for one man in Illustrious
Returning to his seat, the senior
out that CDT is as much about
est into the last category, as the Navy’s it was the fourth test in a year – but
rate observed: “I will probably end
deterrence as catching drug
testing procedure, honed over more that is just the luck of the draw.
my Naval career knowing more
abusers,” added Mick.
an than a decade, is a pretty watertight “We do not target people – with
about illegal drugs than I will WO1 David Pottle can be marina
by affair (see below). the exception of those who are
about aircraft engineering – funny contacted on 93832 8886
● PO Taff Spiller checks the identity card of Cornwall’s Commanding
Offi cer, Cdr Johnny Ley, as the offi cer rolls up his sleeves in
preparation for his drugs test. The procedure is exactly the same for
everyone on board, from the CO to the most junior rating
he ● Quartermaster AB Mo Morris (left) and upper deck sentry AB Long ● CO Cdr Johnny Ley and XO Lt Cdr Simon Pink go through the
paperwork for their compulsory drugs test Longstaff guard the brow
an see naked fl esh you are too close...’
wo onto the database, and that is it. Cornwall’s CO, Cdr Johnny Ley, that I tour public toilets at home as let the CO and XO know that they
he Monitors and collecting assistants and XO, Lt Cdr Simon Pink, turned continuity training,” added Dave. have done a good job.
countersign the paperwork, as they up in the early rush to demonstrate Despite the banter the process is “These guys do the donkey
ed would become witnesses in any the egalitarian nature of the test. taken very seriously. work – we just supervise – and it
en subsequent legal proceedings. Problems during testing can “Quality assurance is critical in makes it an awful lot easier if they
his And then the floodgates opened, include unables (those who cannot this process. It is potentially career- are accommodating and willing to
and the ship’s company of 220 (not produce a sample, or not enough to ending stuff, so there is no way we help.”
as counting Piggy, two foreign officers, register on the thermometer strip) can get this wrong,” said Dave. The samples are rapidly delivered
not two canteen assistants and two or those whose sample is too dilute. Regular tallies are made to ensure into the tri-Service system at
ed Chinese laundrymen) filed through
over the next four hours, with the
In the latter case the sailor is
barcodes, bags and paperwork match Upavon, then sent on to a laboratory
ple collecting assistants and monitors
asked to return in an hour or
up and are signed and dated. in London for analysis.
g a slotting in as the urge took them.
so, and not drink anything in
Just before 2pm just one man Results are back in around a
There was plenty of banter –
the meantime.
remained, sitting forlornly, swigging fortnight, and for some that will
weak tea while the collecting herald the beginning of the end of
en as Cornwall’s chief stoker CMEM For the unables, running taps or assistants offered encouragement. their Naval career.
dy Ian Atkinson took pictures for this showers may do the trick or, failing “Go on, Thommo,” rang in his And that’s not all – if you end
to article one sailor suggested he might that, a small intake of water. ears as he disappeared to the heads, up with ‘CDT SNLR’ (Services No
need a wide-angle lens if he followed If they really struggle, they can returning minutes later with a Longer Required) on your record,
his him as far as the heads... be taken to another heads (to avoid sheepish grin and a beaker of urine. there will be no public sector jobs
it One sailor confided that there anyone attempting to use a pre- The testing station was rapidly open to you, your pension suffers,
are had been a bit of a buzz on the ship planted sample), both donor and dismantled, and with the frigate’s you will be unable to emigrate to
wn that the CDT team was coming. cubicle is searched (blocks of dye in engines warming up, Dave and Mick Australia or the US – and you may
“That’s fine,” said Dave. “If the heads prevent ‘scooping’), then made their final checks, thanked even end up back home with mum...
ps, that’s true, then it all adds to the they are allowed to close the door everyone and disembarked. All of which would also interest
ds, deterrent effect, though it could just and produce at their leisure. “This has been a good test. A lot any potential future employer.
are be bravado. “We must always stay one of it is down to the attitude of the There were no such fears for the ● LLogs (CS(P)) Piggy Davies provides his sample, while monitor
“After all, Malta is not exactly a step ahead, and close off all the people helping us out,” said Mick. men and women of HMS Cornwall. AB Shabaka Kenyatta uses peripheral vision to check on the
hat hot-spot – you would have to go out loopholes,” said Mick. “We make sure when we send With the tests analysed, the results ‘delivery’ – the principle is ‘if you see naked flesh you are too
ed of your way to fi nd drugs here.” “But there’s no truth in the rumour back a message and debrief that we were all negative. close...’
023-025_NN_feb.indd 3 20/1/10 16:45:18
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