Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) Site

Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)?
The Army Substance Abuse Program, or ASAP, is a comprehensive program, which combines deterrence, prevention, and treatment designed to strengthen the overall fitness and effectiveness of the Army and to enhance the combat readiness of its personnel and units by eliminating alcohol and/or other drug abuse. (ASAP mission and objectives are listed in para 1-30, AR 600-85.).

What is the unit commander's role in the ASAP?
Unit commanders must observe their soldiers' behavior and intervene early to identify possible alcohol and/or other drug abusers, refer these soldiers for evaluation by trained medical personnel, recommend enrollment in treatment programs, and when appropriate, process soldiers for separation. (More information on the unit commander's role in ASAP can be found in para 1-31, AR 600-85.)

What is the single greatest key to ASAP success?
Actions taken to prevent, deter, and reduce alcohol and other drug abuse are the single greatest keys to ASAP success. At each post or installation, the ADCO will develop an Installation Prevention Plan, which the unit commander can access for information, programs, and ideas. While there are many forms of prevention strategies available, unit commanders should provide education and training to soldiers on the effects and consequences of alcohol and other drug abuse, along with the treatment services, which are available at the installation. Commanders and First Sergeants must also take steps to deglamorize alcohol and ensure that alcohol is never the focus of any event.

What specifically must a unit commander do?
There are basically three major actions a unit commander must accomplish: First, a organization team must be appointed to conduct the unit's ASAP activities; second, a unit biochemical testing program must be established; and third, prevention and education initiatives must be implemented.

How is a soldier referred to ASAP?
There are 5 ways for a soldier to be referred to ASAP –

1. Self Identification (Voluntary) – The soldier goes to his/her chain-of-command and requests to see a counselor for an alcohol and/or drug abuse issue.
2. Commander/Supervisor Identification – A soldier can be referred in this way if his/her commander becomes aware, observes, or suspects that a soldier is a substance abuser.
3. Biochemical Identification – A soldier that comes up with a positive results from a urinalysis or a breath/blood alcohol testing method will automatically be referred to the Counseling Center for evaluation.
4. Medical Identification – Healthcare providers/physicians may refer a soldier if it is apparent upon examination that the soldier is abusing alcohol and/or other substance. The soldier's unit commander will be immediately notified by the referring medical personnel.
5. Investigation and/or apprehension – Soldiers that are identified by military or civilian law enforcement as being involved in an alcohol and/or drug related incident will be referred to ASAP for counseling within 72 hours of the incident by the soldiers' unit commander

What form do I use to refer a soldier to ASAP for evaluation/counseling?
DA Form 8003

Will I get into trouble if I Self Refer to ASAP?
If you are using drugs or abusing alcohol, YOU ARE ALREADY IN TROUBLE, you just haven't been caught yet. You could also cause yourself health problems. If you want to avoid potential long-term problems, Self Referral is the way to go.

Why is the commander's participation critical to the success of the rehabilitation process?

1. The commander will evaluate and provide periodic feedback to the counselor about the soldier's duty performance during care.
2. Review ongoing evaluations of the soldier's progress and participation provided by the ASAP counselor and meet with the soldier to discuss the evaluation.
3. Participate in Rehabilitation Team meetings with the ASAP clinical staff. (Chap 4 of AR 600-85 addresses the rehabilitation process.)
4. Make the final determination of the success or failure of the soldier's rehabilitation (normally within 3 to 6 months of initial enrollment).

Why does it seem like some individual never get selected to give a urine sample, while others seem to get picked all the time?
All personnel will give a urine sample for testing annually; however, there is no set schedule for this. Personnel are selected at random by the Drug Testing Program once your UPL has input your unit's personnel roster. For example: if your unit has 135 personnel assigned, then you have a 1 in 135 chance of being selected. The software doesn't discriminate on who it picks for the next urinalysis.

Who is eligible for our services?
Services are authorized for all ID Card holders authorized medical services in a military medical facility, and personnel eligible for services under the Federal Civilian Employees Occupational Health Services program.

What drugs are tested for on a urinalysis?
Every urine sample is tested for THC, Cocaine, and Amphetamines. Tests for the other drugs are done on a random rotational basis; these drugs include Opiates, Barbiturates, LSD, and PCP. Tests for Steroids are done as a probable cause test only. If you suspect a soldier is on a specific substance that is not regularly tested for, notify the IBTC or the Urinalysis Lab when your UPL turns in the unit's samples for testing.

Will over-the-counter drugs give a positive urinalysis result?
No.

Please direct any further questions to the ASAP Manager at 706-545-7462

Army Center for Substance Abuse Programs (ACSAP)