Thursday, February 07, 2008

Program helps Soldiers stay on track

Photo by Paul Bello-Members of Fort Belvoir’s Army Substance Abuse Program are: (From left) Risk reduction program coordinator Fred Hunter, drug testing coordinator Gwen Herrieta and prevention specialist Elias Barnes.

Regarded as a tool commander’s use for retention and readiness, the Army Substance Abuse Program is designed to educate and train Soldiers about drugs and alcohol, including the potential impacts on their careers and relationships with others. However, as the initiative continues to grow, Army commanders are finding the program useful for many other reasons.

As a deterrent to substance abuse, military installations like Fort Belvoir have been instituting mandatory random drug testing to the post’s total assigned strength since 1971. According to Elias Barnes, prevention specialist for Belvoir’s ASAP, that means 10 percent of the Soldiers on post get a urinalysis every month. That way, by the end of the year,
every Soldier from every organization has been tested, Barnes said.

This includes all guards, firefighters and pilots. Civilians with a testing-designated position are also required to give a urinalysis. They include individuals with a secret or top secret
security clearance, as well as anyone permitted to carry a firearm. Commercial drivers and all medical personnel are also subject to the same measures. 

“From a commander’s point of view, they need Soldiers who are ready-to-fight and individuals that are at the top of their game,“ Barnes continued. “We follow the guidelines of our Directorate of Human Resources, which is a direct line to the Garrison Command. If someone knows their unit is conducting a random drug test, they’re less inclined to engage in a behavior that includes substance abuse. It’s a clear deterrent and helps keep everyone in check.“

As prevention specialist, Barnes also lends his expertise to the classroom, where he conducts Unit Prevention Leader certification classes. Once certified, UPL’s can provide information and training to those in their unit who are dealing with a specific drug or alcohol related problem. With Barnes help, students learn their own limits and just how to react to certain situations.

“Here at Belvoir, our training is geared to those who are E-5 and above. We discuss how tough Virginia is when it comes to drinking and driving and what steps to take in getting people help,“ Barnes said. “UPL’s advise the commander and keep him informed on matters related to the unit. It’s a great class and we’ve been able to bring in other organizations, like JAG and CID, to hear what they have to say on these same issues. In an informal setting like this, that’s something tangible and it shows people there are resources available on post and in the community to help them.“ 

Another proactive component of ASAP is its Risk Reduction Program, which the Army mandated in 2002. Its purpose is to gather data about 15 high-risk behaviors that affect unit readiness. Among those highlighted are financial problems, child abuse, drug abuse, STDs and suicide. Data is then compared to Army averages from similar units.
Fred Hunter, who is program coordinator at Fort Belvoir, sees the long-term advantages.

“We conduct a unit risk inventory every year and, if a unit on post scores high in one particular area, we work with them on getting the problem squared away. The goal is to zero in on something before it gets too big,“ Hunter said. “Just like our UPL classes, a huge part of risk reduction is getting people together to talk about the issues. For Soldiers, it fine tunes their training and keeps the commander informed on what’s going on. It’s extremely beneficial in the long run.“

With 22 years on the job, Barnes couldn’t agree more. When he first started working with ASAP, Barnes was stationed at Fort Myer and recalled a time when a unit of Soldiers showed a propensity for alcohol abuse.

As it turns out, Barnes said there was a bar near post that wouldn’t stop serving Soldiers- even after the installation commander had ordered units not to go. To keep making money, the bar changed its name, but post officials weren’t fooled.

“When they changed their name, the commander did them one better and shut off the entire block to any and all servicemembers,“ Barnes said. “From that point on, everyone on post got the message and the problem stopped. But, it started out of risk reduction. That’s why it’s important to talk about things like this. You’ve lost the ball game if you can’t get people talking.“ 

Fort Belvoir’s Army Substance Abuse Program is located at 9651 Gunston Road, Bldg. 1153. It can be contacted at 703-805-5981. For additional information, or a list of UPL certification classes, email or visit http://www.acsap.army.mil.