Tweede Kamer rejects easing of military zero-tolerance drug policy

The Dutch Tweede Kamer has rejected any relaxation of the Defense Ministry’s strict zero-tolerance drug policy, with a majority voting Tuesday to adopt a motion from the PVV party.

The defense maintains a firm stance against drug use because of its negative impact on operational readiness, though the ministry is studying possible adjustments. Between 45 and 65 service members have lost their jobs every year over the past five years because of drug violations.

State Secretary Derk Boswijk told lawmakers last month that the current policy “is in particular focused on sanctioning in the event of a violation of the policy and offers little room to deviate in individual cases.”

He said he does not want to loosen the standards but will place greater emphasis on awareness, prevention, and education. A new program to support that effort is also being rolled out this year.

Boswijk is also examining options for more tailored enforcement. “I am also investigating possibilities to enable Defense to implement the existing drug policy in a manner more focused on personal circumstances,” he wrote. That review is due to be completed this year.

The existing policy already includes one limited exception: service members caught using soft drugs once in their private time receive only a warning.

The zero-tolerance approach dates to concerns about deployability. In 2021, then-demissionary Defense Minister Henk Kamp announced plans to further tighten the rules through preventive drug testing.