DoD policies worsen drug, alcohol problems

IOM: DoD policies worsen drug, alcohol problems
Army Times
By Patricia Kime
Staff writer
Posted : Monday Sep 17, 2012 16:10:17 EDT

On-base facilities that sell cheap alcohol to troops, Pentagon policies that allow controlled substances to be prescribed without tracking, and Tricare rules against covering current treatments for substance abuse are contributing to the military’s growing alcohol and drug problem, an influential scientific panel said Monday.

Calling the increase in alcohol and medication abuse among troops since 2001 a “public health crisis,” an Institute of Medicine panel said the Defense Department’s approach to alcohol abuse prevention and treatment is “outdated” and added the department has failed to follow its own clinical policies.

“Some of the policies pertaining to substance abuse disorder, prevention, screening diagnoses and treatment were drafted over a decade ago and have not been revised to reflect the most current evidence in the field. The same is true of Tricare substance abuse disorder benefits,” said Dr. Mary Oster, study director for the 352-page IOM report, “Substance Use Disorders in the U.S. Armed Forces.”

DoD and the Veterans Affairs Department “actually have very good guidelines. VA is following them. I don’t know why [DoD isn’t] following them,” added Dr. Charles O’Brien, panel chair and director of the Center for Studies of Addiction at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
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