By
Andrew Stackpool
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Photo
by PTE John Wellfare
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Problematic
or risky alcohol abuse is the ADF’s biggest mental health problem,
according to Donna Bull, National Coordinator of the ADF’s Alcohol,
Tobacco and Other Drugs Service and Colonel Anthony Cotton, the
ADF’s Director of Mental Health and Psychology.
The pair told the ADF Mental Health Conference that some 30 per
cent of the ADF are classified as Type 1 drinkers, that is, they
are choosing to behave in a way that is potentially harmful to
themselves, their mates, workplace and family.
To address the problem, in May 2002 the ADF Alcohol, Tobacco and
Other Drugs Program was devolved from the Drug and Alcohol Program.
Established to provide health responses to support the command,
the program is now the largest of its kind in the country, catering
for the needs of the up to 70,000 personnel in the permanent and
reserve forces.
It has moved its focus from the disease model to focus on health
promotion, prevention, early intervention on evidence-based facts,
on public health principles and using the least restrictive option,
depending on each case. This latter is particularly significant
for commanders as it means the member can be managed locally and
remain in his or her duties. This ensures peer support and encouragement,
while improving the individual’s sense of well-being.
The program is tri-service and is structured on four elements
– management and policy, education and training, clinical intervention
and research and surveillance.
The program aims to provide opportunistic intervention, pick up
by questionnaire those at risk who are not seeking assistance,
and provide a range of information tools to assist people at risk
recognise the fact.
Treatment will vary, based on the least restrictive option by
health screening, psychological/psychiatric consultancy, education
as well as the more established norms of hospitals, clinics and
social services.
For the patient, the local ADF health or psychology facility is
the first point for assistance. More than 400 health professionals
have received alcohol and other drug (AOD) training to equip them
for frontline interventions while a further 50 ADF health professionals
have received training so they can train others in their locality.
ADF personnel believe that illicit drug use and alcohol abuse
are problems within the organisation but little is still known
about the extent of the problem. The program is providing mechanisms
to obtain and network this information. It also encourages
self-reporting and self-referral, which will reduce costs associated
with the organisation’s capacity to deal with AOD issues.
Finally, the ADF’s standing and reputation will be enhanced as
it is demonstrating a tangible commitment to the health and welfare
of its members.
The program is not cheap, including the costs of intervention
and follow-ups, both in outpatient and inpatient care. But it
is cost effective when it is balanced against the costs to the
ADF and wider society.
