Lawmaker urges drug abuse treatment for vets

[unhappycamper]

Lawmaker urges drug abuse treatment for vets
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 9, 2009 15:12:40 EST

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., turned the tables on Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America on Monday at a Capitol Hill briefing in which the group was pressing lawmakers for help in passing veterans legislation.

McCaskill, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a close ally of President Barack Obama, instead asked IAVA for their help — with her initiative to improve prevention and treatment programs for alcohol and substance abuse.

IAVA leaders had been talking about their top priorities for the year at the briefing for legislative aides.

Claiming that one-third of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have mental health problems that could make them more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol, McCaskill is pushing for expanded screening and treatment programs to try to catch problems early.

One of her main worries is that many service members who need help are not getting it because the military culture discourages people from admitting problems.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/military_veterans_substanceabuse_020909w/%2e