ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Guard recognizes April as Alcohol Abuse Awareness Month, an opportunity to further increase service member awareness of alcohol abuse and the impact it can have on Guard members and their families.
Efforts in April fall in line with National Guard’s year-round mission of educating and assisting those with issues of or relating to alcohol and substance abuse.
“Alcohol abuse puts our Soldiers, families, and units at risk,” said Army Col. Anne Naclerio, Army National Guard chief surgeon. “We are committed to helping our Soldiers recognize the signs of alcohol abuse and encouraging them to seek help if needed.”
Naclerio said the Army National Guard would be sharing alcohol abuse and responsible drinking resources and information throughout the month in a further effort to raise awareness of alcohol related issues and programs and resources available to service members.
The Army National Guard’s chief surgeon office said alcoholism is a treatable disease and education is one of the best courses of action for its prevention.
If service members have further questions about alcoholism and programs to prevent or treat it, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Brower, the prevention leader at the Army National Guard Readiness Center, said unit prevention leaders can help.
“UPLs can assist if you have questions or concerns about alcohol’s impact on your health, safety, work performance, and relationships with the people you care about,” Brower said. “If you have concerns, it is time to get some answers.”
As an anecdote, Brower also urged service members to be aware of consuming “designer” liquors, such as those infused with hemp seed and/or oil.
“According to Army Regulation 600-85 and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, ingesting hemp seed, hemp oil or related products is a violation,” he said. “So I wouldn’t recommend drinking or consuming such products, regardless of the content percentage.”