SPF SIG Panel National Guard Substance Abuse Prevention

1
SPF SIG PanelNational Guard Substance Abuse
Prevention

• LTC Johnny Boatman

2
Why is Substance Abuse Prevention Important?

• Prevalent drug abuse affects morale, unit
  performance, safety, and readiness.
• May 26, 1981 USS Nimitz aircraft accident.
• Significant loss of life, casualties, and
  property damage.
• 7 planes destroyed.
• 11 other planes damaged.
• 14 personnel killed.
• 48 other personnel injured.
• Cost estimated at 150M.
• Drug abuse was the cause of the accident.
• - 6 killed had THC metabolite in their bodies.

3
Prevention, Treatment, and Outreach (PTO)
4
Mission for PTO
Our mission is to provide prevention training,
outreach to military families, and treatment
resources to military members in an effort to
increase military discipline, individual
performance, and combat readiness.
5
Strategies for PTO

• Increase awareness and support from leadership
• Develop a strong, standardized prevention
  education program
• Implement the PTO initiative in all 54 states and
  territories
• Establish community resources in treatment and
  education
• Enhance relationships with our federal and
  national partners i.e. OASD-HA, ACSAP, AFMOA,
  SAMHSA, and CADCA
• Improve Military Readiness and Retention
• Increase communication between Soldiers/Airman,
  and leaders at all levels
• Reduce stigma
• Prevent drug or alcohol related mishaps

6
PTO States
ME
WA
MT
ND
MN
(MI)
VT
OR
NH
NY
WI
ID
MA
SD
MI
CT
RI
WY
PA
NJ
NJ
IA
NV
NE
OH
DE
IN
CA
IL
MD
(MD)
WV
CO
UT
VA
(VA)
KS
MO
KY
DC
NC
TN
AZ
OK
AR
SC
NM
AL
GA
MS
TX
LA
FL
HI
VI
PR
Pilot States
Phase I States
Phase II States
Dual Capacity
7
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• 30 of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans are diagnosed
  with PTSD up from 16-18 in 2004
• Those getting treatment for PTSD increased by
  87 between Sept 2005 and June 2006
• Conservative estimate projects that over 250,000
  Iraq veterans will struggle with PTSD
• Suicide has accounted for 25 of all non-combat
  related deaths in Iraq in 2006

8
Warriors Seeking Care
Practical Concerns

• 22 I dont know where to get help
• 18 I dont have adequate transportation
• 45 Its difficult to schedule an appointment
• 55 Difficulty getting time off work
• 25 Costs too much money
• (Hoge et al. 2004, NEJM)

9
Stigma of Mental Health

• 50 It would harm my career
• 59 Members of my unit might have less
  confidence in me
• 63 Unit leadership might treat me differently
• 51 Leaders would blame me for the problem
• 65 I would be seen as weak
• 41 It would be too embarrassing
• 38 I dont trust mental health professionals
• 25 Mental health care doesnt work

10
Treatment Issues

• Active Duty vs. National Guard
• VA support
• -Veterans benefits
• -Non-Veterans benefits

11
Team Readiness
Adapting Evidence-Based Prevention for The
National Guard
11
12
12
13
Team Awareness Background (1)
Research showed factors in the workplace
influence adult misuse of alcohol and drugs -- A
workplace culture that enables -- Socialization
(learning the ropes) -- Social interaction
(after work drinking) But Positive Teamwork
Protects Against These Risks!
13
14
Increases Strengths
Reduces Risks
Problem Drinking Working with a
Hangover Drinking Climate Stigma for
Help-Seeking

• Help-Seeking Actual Counseling
• Supervisor Response to Troubled Workers
• Use of Healthy Stress Management
• A Climate of Wellness

14
15
15
16
16
17
SPF SIG PanelNational Guard Substance Abuse
Prevention

• LTC Johnny Boatman
• O [phone]
• C [phone]