Substance Abuse Prevention Program

For emergency Substance Abuse issues, please call the SAP Duty Line, 757-628-4329

If this is an emergency, call 911

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988   

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists (SAPS) are HSWL SC personnel assigned to detached duty at large commands. SAPS provide resources and assistance with prevention training, education, treatment options, and administrative processing that supports Coast Guard’s policy governing substance use, abuse, and chemical dependency.

SAPS are responsible for ensuring Command Drug and Alcohol Representatives (CDARs) receive the guidance, training, and support needed to manage any potential alcohol and/or substance use issues. They also assist CDARs in developing prevention plans and conducting general alcohol awareness and prevention education as well as provide guidance and support for aftercare plans.

SAPS advise and assist CG units on all matters pertaining to policy interpretation, substance abuse screenings, treatment, and aftercare. They facilitate any medical screenings for members and assist CG providers with finding appropriate treatment facilities. SAPS also provide unit training such as PRIME FOR LIFE (PFL).

USCG currently endorses the following initiatives:

1. “RETHINKING DRINKING”
2. “THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK”
3. “Zero, 1, 2, 3”

“Zero, 1, 2, 3” is an easy way to remember:

• Zero drinks when you must be alert and at the ready; e.g. driving, operating machinery, cleaning a weapon. 
• One drink per hour;
• two for any drinking occasion, and
• three, as in, never exceed three drinks.

Do you want to know how much you drink? Or, how it affects your life?    
Is drinking alcohol a choice or a habit? Get those answers and more with Rethinking Drinking and see if drinking is affecting your health. Discover the strategies that can help you reduce your drinking. http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/

The SAPT has made every effort to base all of its programmatic decisions in state-of-the-art science. Using the Health Related Behaviors study, we now understand the science behind excessive drinking and drug abuse. Therefore,  we created a model based on demonstrated evidence.   

The Navy and Marine Corp have also adopted PFL as their intervention for those members in need of alcohol education. The Zero, 1, 2, 3 philosophy establishes responsible drinking behaviors based on low risk choices versus high risk choices.