Army Brass Calls for Crackdown on Alcohol and Other Drug Problems

Army Brass Calls for Crackdown on Alcohol and Other Drug Problems
June 15, 2009

News Summary

Series: Drugs in the Military

The U.S. Army is directing commanders to take steps to root out alcohol and other drug problems and get soldiers with addiction problems either into treatment or out of the service, the Army Times reported June 8.

Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli is leading the campaign to crack down on alcohol and other drug related offenses, pressing local commanders to step up reporting of offenses and take sterner action on soldiers who test positive for drugs. Soldiers who get treatment but then relapse are more likely to be booted from the service, Army leaders said.

Chiarelli is battling rising rates of alcohol and other drug problems and what is perceived as a lack of compliance with Army regulations on how such cases should be handled. The crackdown is motivated in part by a desire to cut the record number of suicides being reported among soldiers.

"There is a growing population of soldiers with substance abuse problems, as indicated by multiple positive urinalysis results and alcohol-related actions that have not been referred to the [Army Substance Abuse Program, or ASAP] by their commanders," Chiarelli said. Every soldier who tests positive should be referred to the program, Army officials said, but only about 70 percent are.

ASAP director Les McFarling said Chiarelli's message is "not about crushing soldiers and getting them out. He's about getting them the help they need."

In 2008, 2.38 percent of active-duty Army personnel tested positive for illicit drugs, up from 1.72 percent in 2004. About 25 percent of soldiers are classified as heavy drinkers.

"Alcohol use is greater than anything else. We are most concerned about alcohol use and abuse," said Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division. "I would rather deploy under strength with good soldiers than keep marginal soldiers in the formation. When we have drug- and alcohol-related offenses, we look at each soldier individually, but there is no blind eye to aberrant behavior."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Ginny Adame on 16 Jun 09 09:13 AM EDT

While I feel it is definitely time to look at the drug and alcohol abuse issues that military members are facing, I think it is equally important to investigate the root causes of these issues. Often abuse of alcohol and other drugs are symptoms of other mental health issues, many of which may have developed as a result of serving in the military during a time of war. Many Soldiers are serving their 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th tour of duty to Iraq and/or Afghanistan for 18 months at a time. Additionally, many of these Soldiers suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among many other mental health issues as a result of 1 tour of duty to a war zone, not to mention the physical and mental stress of a number of such deployments. If the military is going to reduce substance abuse and the rising rate of suicide, then it seems like cracking down on those Soldiers who get caught abusing alcohol and other drugs as opposed to fully addressing the root causes of this growing problem is not likely to have the type of positive impact that is sought and needed.

Posted by David Scott, MA/LAC on 16 Jun 09 10:56 AM EDT

I would hesitate to start blaming a mental illness for substance abuse or dependence. Both substance dependence and mental illness are primary issues and must be dealt with concurrently as such. I work in a human service center and the vast majority of my clients have comorbid disorders, most often an anxiety disorder coupled with substance dependence. As a treatment professional, I have to target both in order for the individual to experience true recovery.

Posted by David Scott, MA/LAC on 16 Jun 09 10:59 AM EDT

Both disorders will excacerbate one another if both are not treated.

Posted by Pete Formaz, NCAC-II, LAC on 16 Jun 09 11:20 AM EDT

I would submit that a significant amount of substance use is more in the area of self-medication for service-connected mental health disorders, as it is/was for Vietnam vets. Also, at last count neither the Army or the VA had anywhere near a sufficient number of QUALIFIED addiction counselors/therapists to provide appropriate treament. So, kick 'em out before they establish service-connection so they don't have to pay 'em a pension or provide treatment, rather than try to understand and provide help.

Posted by Joe D on 16 Jun 09 02:56 PM EDT

Have you looked at the qualifications required by the DOD to be employed as a alcohol/drug counselor lately? They rule out a good deal of professional counselors who are qualified for that kind of work and allow in a good deal who are not qualified. The DOD / Armed services are all experiencing shortages in alcohol drug counselors and it is no wonder! Regardless of what the brass says it is apparent that the brass really does not want to treat the problem and would rather just get rid of people with substance abuse problems. People reporting on such stories should dig a little deeper for the REAL story!

Posted by Lynne Johnson on 16 Jun 09 03:49 PM EDT

How about substance abuse as a result of PTSSD? Is it treated as a co-occurring disorder? The question is what do officers do to "boot" soldiers out and what kind of discharge do they receive? Boot certainly implies a dishonorable discharge with no benefits to treat mental conditions which could be a direct result of service to this country.

Posted by Linda in NH on 17 Jun 09 05:59 AM EDT

It's been my experience that when an organization (small or large) doesn't want to deal with the substance use disorders or mental health disorders of the rank and file, it's because the upper echelons have problems with that disorder and have moved to the State of Denial.

Posted by Peggy on 22 Jun 09 11:39 AM EDT

The numbers of soldiers who have served our country in battle that are being released with dishonorable discharges due to alcoholism and other addictions is appalling! It's time for parity in the military healthcare system as well!

Posted by Pam G on 22 Jun 09 01:04 PM EDT

I can't speak to other drugs, but some people in my town say that if your are old enough to die for your country, you are old enough to drink. You mean some soldiers abuse alcohol?

Posted by Fred Shaughnessy, CADC II, ICADC on 22 Jun 09 03:24 PM EDT

Joe D's comment (above) is the closest to the underlying treatment problem that the Army has. As long as the people who establish hiring standards for AOD counselors are more interested in candidates from their own field(s), rather than candidates from the credentialed field of alcohol and drug counseling, the Army won't have the resources to treat effectively (or at all). There are licensed and/or certified counselors in most of the states who are probably shut out of Army work due to overly restrictive standards.

Posted by Lawrence Quigley-Vietnam Vet on 23 Jun 09 11:52 AM EDT

Give these soliders a chance especially combat vets. Yes send them to rehab, upon release from rehab order them to attend a 12 step recovery meeting(s) for a year. For the first 90 days have require them to make at least one meeting a day. If they relapse ever then throw them out of the service. As for non-combat vets boot them out.

Posted by Mark Young on 24 Jun 09 11:29 AM EDT

The Armed Services reflect their society. Why is anyone "surprised" that there are problems with alcohol and other drugs in the military? Maybe we ought to be surprised that the problems aren't larger, since few people in civilian life face a daily threat of death or injury by being in a combat zone where someone is intentionally trying to hurt or kill you. Just to keep the problems in perspective, Army Times reported that the Army classified 25% of its troops as heavy drinkers, but under 3% as using drugs. I think too many people are beating up the military for lack of treatment without realizing that the problems in the military follow the same problems as the rest of our country.

Posted by Mark Publicker on 13 Jul 09 08:40 PM EDT

Tricare is prevented by DOD regulations from providing any substance abuse treatment to military dependents. If the troops are to be effectively influenced towards abstinence, their families will need treatment services as well.

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