Sen. introduces military substance abuse bill - Military News | News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

Sen. introduces military substance abuse bill

WASHINGTON — Sen. Claire McCaskill is calling for the overhaul of alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs used throughout the armed forces.

McCaskill, D-Mo., and Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., introduced a bill Tuesday to require a review and study of existing programs, after problems such as understaffing, mismanagement and lack of confidentiality were brought to her attention by a whistleblower at the Fort Leonard Wood Army Base.

“The situation at Fort Leonard Wood was unacceptable, and now we need to make sure it’s not happening at other bases across the country and around the world,” McCaskill said. “It is time for the military to face the problem of substance abuse head on — that requires command emphasis, resources and a treatment focused plan.”

A phone message requesting comment was left at the public affairs office at Fort Leonard Wood.

According to the senators, more soldiers have needed treatment from the Army Substance Abuse Program following deployment to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bill would require the Defense Department to review and submit a plan on how to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat and rehabilitate soldiers suffering from substance abuse disorders, taking into account how to address confidentiality and disciplinary issues as well as caring for family members.

It also would create a center of excellence for substance abuse disorders within the Defense Department to implement the plan. And, it would require an independent study on substance abuse disorders in the armed forces.