U.S. Troops Affected by Opiate Use

Opiate addiction treatment statistics within the U.S. Army rose five-fold between 2004 and 2009 (89 individuals in 2004 and 529 in 2009). Last year alone saw a 50 percent increase, as more U.S. troops were moved into Afghanistan, a leader in opium production. Army officials surmise that the jump is due to abuse of both opiate-based prescription drugs and heroin, a substance easily obtained in Afghanistan.

The incidence of positive tests for opiates during random drug testing, however, has been low among U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.