IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL 1 IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL Your

IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL 1

IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL • Your primary responsibility is directly related to the combat readiness of your individual Marines and to ensure all Marines are afforded the opportunity for treatment, if needed. • This mission will be accomplished by providing proactive information for the prevention of substance abuse, and ensuring that individual is identified and assessed by a professional substance abuse counselor, when possible. The aim of this mission is to increase substance abuse awareness and reduce the demand for substance abuse in the military and civilian community.

POLICY • Identify, evaluate, counsel, and recommend the referral of drug/alcohol abusers to the Substance Abuse Counseling Center via the Commanding Officer for screening and counseling. • Marines who are involved in Domestic Violence, Suicide, or Substance Abuse related events or incidents shall be referred to the nearest Family Advocacy Office, Substance Abuse Counseling Center, or qualified Medical Officer for evaluation to recommend an appropriate intervention.

Referral to SACC Marines who experienced drug/alcohol related events or incidents shall be referred to the nearest Substance Abuse Counseling Center for evaluation and appropriate intervention. 4

Identification To identify emerging problems, you can use the following sources of information: • • PMO Blotters Duty Log Books Message traffic Hospital Reports Supervisor Referral Family Advocacy Family Member 5

SACO Interview • • Set the climate. Do not interrogate. Gather information. Deal only with the facts. Utilize effective communication skills. Set up case file. Refer to Commanding Officer 6

Referral to SACC • • • Inform the Marine why he/she is being referred. Make an appointment. SRB/OQR. Medical record. Supervisor information. Incident report • Case file. 7

Liaison Between the Command SACC • Maintain contact with Marine and SACC Counselors. • Keep Commanding Officer informed on treatment status of Marines. • Maintain an open line of communication with SACC. 8

Intervention This letter will clearly state: • • • The type of program the Marine is assigned Reason for assignment Program goals Expected behavior during treatment Consequences of refusing treatment or failing to successfully complete the program. 9

Intervention Commanders will ensure that no Marine requiring treatment will be separated until that process is completed. 10

Intervention If a Marine being processed for separation declines treatment, the command will at that time: • Provide the Marine, in writing, the location of the VA Med. Fac nearest their place of residence or home of record and document the date and the fact that the Marine was provided this information in the Marine's case file. 11

Intervention • Document the declining of treatment in the OQR/SBR with the Marine's signature acknowledging the refusal. • Commanders may note and sign the entry if the Marine refuses to sign the OQR/SBR statement declining treatment. 12

Intervention • The use of VA Med. Fac for treatment of drug/alcohol dependence is considered an alternative to treating the Marine at a military treatment facility and should be utilized for special circumstances. • If a commander determines that treatment at a VA Med. FAC is in the best interest of the Marine Corps and the Marine being separated, a request will be submitted to CMC (MR) via message. 13

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