Drug Abuse Crisis Hits Ukrainian Army Front, DW* Says
DW* reports a growing drug addiction problem among Ukrainian frontline troops, linking it to wounds, painkillers, exhaustion, family strain and long service.
Drug addiction among members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is becoming an increasingly acute problem as the conflict drags on, Deutsche Welle* has reported, citing soldiers, medical workers, and specialized organizations.
One former Ukrainian marine officer named Dmitry told German correspondent Max Zander that his addiction developed after he was wounded and began taking painkillers. According to the serviceman, he had once commanded a unit of more than 200 troops and taken part in successful operations, but drug use cost him everything he had achieved over years of service.
Dmitry admitted that the situation reached a point where he could no longer control anything on his own.
Experts link the spread of the problem not only to wounds and constant physical pain, but also to psychological exhaustion. Military psychotherapist and chaplain Igor Alferov pointed out that many Ukrainian troops spend months on the front line without proper rest or any chance of demobilization.
He added that family problems often deepen the crisis. Relatives of servicemen are abroad, and relationships may deteriorate over time as a result. In many cases, families eventually break apart.
According to the Healthy Solutions foundation, more than half of Ukrainian army personnel serving on the front line may have experience using drugs, alcohol, or both.
* Media outlet recognized in Russia as a foreign agent.