CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
In 1985, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Special Agent Enrique Camarena was about to expose the largest cocaine and marijuana operation in Mexico. Unfortunately, he was kidnapped and murdered in the line of duty. Hundreds of people from Camerena’s hometown of Calexico, California, began wearing red ribbons, pledging to lead drug-free lives as a way to remember Camarena.
Each year, October 23 through 31 is designated as Red Ribbon Week to show intolerance for drugs in schools, workplaces and communities around the country. Substance abuse issues are known all too well in West Virginia, and the West Virginia National Guard takes substance abuse seriously. Resources are available to service members who might need them.
Substance abuse issues can often be traced back to environmental factors and stressors, but having access to resources and having a strong support system in place is vital to overcoming addictions.
Brittany Lowry is the Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator for the WVARNG and works with Soldiers to find treatment and treatment facilities. For members of the Air National Guard, Sherry Smith, Wing Drug Demand Reduction Program Manager, and Melinda Himstedt, Director of Psychological Health, provide help and resources for Airmen dealing with substance abuse issues.
Self-referral is one method both Lowry and Himstedt strongly encourage, as it puts Guardsmen in the position of being proactive rather than reactive if they are struggling with substance abuse issues.
“Someone can self-refer to anyone in their chain of command, their chaplain, or myself, as long as they give the authorization for us to talk to your unit commander. After the self-referral paperwork is complete, we get them set up with a treatment facility,” Lowry said.
“Self-referring is best because it does offer some limited protections, and from a clinical perspective, shows initiative that you want to change and you’re willing to get help,” Himstedt said. Himstedt added that a unit commander or leadership can come to her if they have concerns about Airmen abusing drugs or alcohol, but self-referral must be voluntary.
Lowry's advice for those struggling with alcohol or substance abuse is to be very honest about their situation. Some people are hesitant to self-refer, but when they don’t, it can lead to issues like DUIs or a positive urinalysis test, she explained.
“You’re risking your military career by using illegal substances, but it can have a domino effect into other areas of your life, such as relationship problems, job issues and can even lead to mental health issues, too,” Lowry said. “My job is essentially to be the middleman between Soldiers and all resources that are available to them, even if it isn't a substance abuse issue directly. I can help connect someone with people that can help, whether that be through housing, education, a behavioral health specialist or financial help.”
Himstedt noted from the Air National Guard perspective, drug and alcohol abuse can pose hazards to their day-to-day jobs and could risk being discharged from service.
There are ways that servicemembers can look out for each other and their friends and families.
Lowry said that knowing someone’s baseline behavior is a way to understand or realize when someone might be abusing substances.
“People might be reluctant to go to their Chain of Command, but if you go to them and say that you are concerned someone might have a drug or alcohol problem, that Commander can assess the situation and see if someone needs help,” she said.
Himstedt, who is a licensed social worker and therapist, encourages Commanders and leaders to be cognizant of how those in their units are acting and to talk about mental health issues to erase the stigma of reaching out for help.
Lowry said day-to-day stressors could be risk factors in using alcohol or drugs, but finding healthy coping mechanisms is important rather than turning to alcohol or substances to relax. Himstedt reiterates the importance of healthy coping mechanisms and self-care, especially during the pandemic.
“One good resource that is easy for everyone to access is the COVID Coach App,” she said.
The COVID Coach App is a free app developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It has many tools that are easy to use and evidence-based. It can use the phone’s location to find VA facilities, Vet Centers, therapy and counseling services and more.
Himstedt uses the app herself frequently. One of her favorite features is called “Time Out”, which prompts users to focus for five minutes on phrases and thoughts that appear on-screen. It also has many resources on managing stress, anxiety and learning coping mechanisms.
“If you can become clean or sober enough to learn new coping mechanisms, you can begin to change other areas of your life,” Himstedt said.
Self-referral and issues relating to substance and alcohol abuse within the WVNG can be a complicated process, but Lowry and Himstedt are here to answer any questions you have, as well as offer support and resources.
For Army Guard members, contact Brittany Lowry at 304-561-6828, or email at brittany.d.lowry.ctr@mail.mil. For Air Guard members in Charleston, contact Melinda Himstedt at 304-341-6516 or email at Melinda.Himstedt.1@us.af.mil, or contact Sherry Smith, Wing Drug Demand Reduction Program Manager for the 130th Airlift Wing, at 304-341-6373, 304-437-3447, or email sherry.smith.5.ctr@us.af.mil.
Air Guard members in Martinsburg can contact Director of Psychological Health Cristina Firescu-Williams at 304-616-5939 or email cristina.firescu-williams@us.af.mil.