User:Itsmatt1212/Vietnam War

Drug Use Among US Troops in Vietnam

The earliest reported use of drugs among US troops in Vietnam was recorded in 1963. The most commonly used drug was marijuana, which was sometimes used in the form of hashish. Marijuana was considered to go against military values which was why commanders sought to prevent its use and punish offenders. In reality, marijuana use rarely hindered combat operations. Troops mainly used the drug during downtime in rear areas.

The Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Division, Major General Raymond G. Davis, said "There is no drug problem out in the hinterlands, because there was a self policing of the troops themselves. Their life depended on a clear head, and they would just not permit anybody to smoke a marijuana cigarette, or consume drugs." Although troops did use marijuana often, they realized that in order to survive, they must not use it in the field where combat was possible.

A much larger problem among US troops was the abuse of heroin. In Vietnam, opium and marijuana were widely available and sold for low prices by villagers and locals. Because opium in Vietnam was more potent, it was smoked instead of injected like it is in the US today. Towards the end of US involvement in Vietnam, heroin use spiked. Morale dropped toward the end of US involvement due to lack of support at home, and a feeling that the war was purposeless. Troops used heroin and other drugs to pass time, deal with the mental stresses of combat, boredom, and feelings of hopelessness. Out of the heroin abusers in the military, one third of them picked up the habit their first month in the country.

The military had launched education programs to deal with the growing drug abuse problem among the troops. When it failed, the military began to court martial offenders in large numbers. When the number of court-martials became too high, the military began to discharge troops from the service. The Marines especially believed in punishment to curb drug use. The Marine Commandant at the time, General Wilson Jr., believed it was better to be reduced in strength than to allow heroin addicted Marines to continue to serve. This method was effective at preventing new troops from becoming users because new troops had become users due to existing troops introducing them to the drugs.