About Army Substance Abuse Program
The Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) provides assistance to active duty soldiers, DACs, family members, and retirees. The ASAP goal is to strengthen the overall fitness and effectiveness of Army personnel and enhance the combat readiness of soldiers. Command involvement throughout the identification, referral, screening and elevation process is critical. Details are in AR 600-85, Army Substance Abuse Program.
Soldiers who fail to participate as directed by the commander or do not succeed in rehabilitation are subject to administrative separation. Soldiers will reenroll except as determined by the clinical director in consultation with the unit commander. Commanders will, without exception, separate all soldiers who are identified as drug abusers. Commanders must refer for evaluation all soldiers who they suspect of having a problem with drugs or alcohol. This includes knowledge of any convictions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).
The ASAP primary care manager (PCM) will conduct an initial screening evaluation interview with referred soldiers to recommend one or more of the following:
- Referral to Army Drug and Alcohol Prevention Training (ADAPT).
- Referral to ADAPT and enrollment in the out-patient program.
- Referral to the ASAP outpatient program and to the Community Mental Health Clinic.
- Referral to an in-patient or partial program if the commander and clinical director agree to in-patient or partial program placement.
- Counseling by the unit commander.
The commander’s involvement is critical in the rehabilitation process. The commander must ensure that enrolled soldiers are attending sessions, getting random biochemical testing and breathalyzers, and participating in the program. The objectives of rehabilitation and treatment are to return the soldier to full duty as soon as possible or identify for separation those who cannot be rehabilitated. For more information, see AR 600-85 and the Army Center for Substance Abuse Programs website at acsap.army.mil.
