# Presentation: 212981

## SPF SIG PanelNational Guard Substance Abuse Prevention 

**LTC Johnny Boatman**

## 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.

## Prevention, Treatment, and Outreach

**(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.

- Mission for PT&O

## 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

## PT&O States

**TX**

**NM**

**AR**

**AZ**

**UT**

**NV**

**CA**

**OR**

**WA**

**ID**

**MT**

**WY**

**CO**

**LA**

**PR**

**VI**

**KS**

**AL**

**GA**

**ND**

**SD**

**NE**

**MN**

**WI**

**IN**

**MO**

**IL**

**OH**

**KY**

**TN**

**SC**

**NC**

**VA**

**NY**

**ME**

**MI**

**IA**

**WV**

**VT**

**NH**

**NJ**

**PA**

**CT**

**MA**

**MS**

**HI**

**DE**

**MD**

**       ****OK**

**FL**

**NJ**

**(**MD**)**

**DC**

**RI**

**(MI)**

**(VA)**

- Pilot States

- Phase I States

- Phase II States

- Dual Capacity

##  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

- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

## Practical Concerns

-  22%: I don’t know where to get help
-  18%: I don’t have adequate transportation
-  45%: It’s difficult to schedule an appointment
-  55%: Difficulty getting time off work
-  25%: Costs too much money
- 						(Hoge et al. 2004, NEJM)

- Warriors Seeking Care

##  Stigma of Mental Health 

-  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 don’t trust mental health professionals
-  25%: Mental health care doesn’t work

##  Active Duty vs. National Guard

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

## Adapting Evidence-Based Prevention for

- The National Guard

## Slide 12

## 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!

- _Team Awareness: Background (1)_

## Slide 14

## Slide 15

## Slide 16

## SPF SIG PanelNational Guard Substance Abuse Prevention

**LTC Johnny Boatman**
**O (703) 607-5632**
**C (571) 643-3016 **