KUWAIT CITY, July 25: To protect the reputation of the military institution and ensuring soldiers are not involved in any kind of drug-related issues, informed sources told Al-Rai daily that the Ministry of Defense conducted random drugs tests during the past two weeks on about 5,000 soldiers from various units and brigades in the army.

The sources indicated instructions were given by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Talal Al- Khaled to the concerned authorities in the army that they should conduct sudden checks in the best interests of the health and safety of the soldiers and to ensure none of them consume narcotics or psychotropic substances.

The sources indicated the tests are random and covers every military personnel irrespective of the rank or position. The sources said this practice is not new and added it is an ongoing process which in place since the establishment of the Kuwaiti army, but it is now implemented upon instructions of the minister.