A main issue that is still occurring in the military is the many cases of the substance abuse. The USA Today news article, “Ex-soldier Returns to Fight Substance Abuse in Military” talks about Frank L. Greenagel Jr. who opened up his own counseling center for substance abuse. He also served in the military and agreed that there are many individuals who are dealing with substance addiction. These individuals need help before things could potentially become fatal. Greenagel discusses how one of the major addictions in the military is particularly prescription drugs and his goal to help them through the recovery process. He wants to spread more awareness and explain to military officials that this is a major issue that needs to be resolved.
…show more content…
His goal is to be able to identify those in the military who are struggling with addiction, to help them with treatment and also save their careers by making sure they are aware of the risks of substance abuse.
The book The sociology of American drug use discusses that throughout history, substance abuse in the military is common. After the Vietnam War, the military started to conduct drug testing because of the many cases of military personnel using drugs. “The use of illicit drugs precipitously declined through the 1980s. There seems to have been a leveling off through the next two decades, although there has been a noticeable increase in use between 2005 and 2008” (Faupel, Horowitz & Weaver, 2010, pg.214). The book discusses that one of the main reasons for substance abuse is because of the high amount of stress levels. Military personnel are away from home for long periods of time, they are constantly relocating and need to make sure when it comes to combat they are prepared. Using drugs and alcohol could be a way to calm the intense levels of …show more content…
One solution is increasing prices of alcohol and tobacco in the stores and to make sure that alcohol will not be sold to those who are underage. This needs to be put in place because of the mixed messages, “Haddock and colleagues contend, for example, that advertising in military newspapers may send personnel mixed messages about the use if tobacco. Other research same the same in regard to alcohol use” Faupel, Horowitz & Weaver, 2010, pg. 215). When comparing both the article and the book, the views contrast on whether or not the substance abuse issues are being solved in the military. The book proposes that because of the policy changes in the military, there are signs of reduction in the cases of substance abuse. Reasons for decrease involve the creation of more recovery programs and centers. The article involving Greenagel states that today substance abuse issues in the military are increasing rapidly and it is more than regular civilians. Greenagel states that there needs to be the creation of more recovery centers to help the military
His goal is to be able to identify those in the military who are struggling with addiction, to help them with treatment and also save their careers by making sure they are aware of the risks of substance abuse.
The book The sociology of American drug use discusses that throughout history, substance abuse in the military is common. After the Vietnam War, the military started to conduct drug testing because of the many cases of military personnel using drugs. “The use of illicit drugs precipitously declined through the 1980s. There seems to have been a leveling off through the next two decades, although there has been a noticeable increase in use between 2005 and 2008” (Faupel, Horowitz & Weaver, 2010, pg.214). The book discusses that one of the main reasons for substance abuse is because of the high amount of stress levels. Military personnel are away from home for long periods of time, they are constantly relocating and need to make sure when it comes to combat they are prepared. Using drugs and alcohol could be a way to calm the intense levels of …show more content…
One solution is increasing prices of alcohol and tobacco in the stores and to make sure that alcohol will not be sold to those who are underage. This needs to be put in place because of the mixed messages, “Haddock and colleagues contend, for example, that advertising in military newspapers may send personnel mixed messages about the use if tobacco. Other research same the same in regard to alcohol use” Faupel, Horowitz & Weaver, 2010, pg. 215). When comparing both the article and the book, the views contrast on whether or not the substance abuse issues are being solved in the military. The book proposes that because of the policy changes in the military, there are signs of reduction in the cases of substance abuse. Reasons for decrease involve the creation of more recovery programs and centers. The article involving Greenagel states that today substance abuse issues in the military are increasing rapidly and it is more than regular civilians. Greenagel states that there needs to be the creation of more recovery centers to help the military