FORT SILL, Okla.--To improve alcohol and drug abuse services, the Army recently combined clinical services with testing, education, counseling, prevention and training under the oversight of the Installation Management Command.
In response to this change, the staff of the Fort Sill Life Fitness Center - Army Substance Abuse Program office will move to a new location, Building 3415 at the corner of Miner and Babcock roads on post. The move will meet the basic tenet of the realignment providing sufficient space for the existing ASAP staff and their counterparts from Reynolds Army Community Hospital clinical services. The combined staff are projected to move in during October.
"This building will be a great facility for our customers and staff alike," said Jay Khalifah, ASAP alcohol and drug control officer and employee assistance coordinator. "It will provide us ample space to grow as the program develops to reach more people."
The secretary of the Army directed the new integration of services and command and control to address the problems associated with the previous way of doing business. The change should better address a surge in substance abuse, domestic violence and suicide by Soldiers and family members brought on by the stresses of nine years at war. It became effective May 1.
"This is the right move at the right time for our Soldiers and families and it's a mission IMCOM is proud to take on," said Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, IMCOM commander. "Integrating ASAP at the installations will make a vital program even more effective in helping the Army family thrive and maintain its resiliency."
Khalifah said the realignment is a great move for the Army as it brings the ASAP core competencies together with clinical treatment.
"We'll be able to work more closely with treatment personnel and develop some synergies that will further aid those we are here to serve, providing better continuity of care," he said.
Customers will notice more parking places in close proximity to the building. From a program management standpoint, the building has five rooms that will serve as classrooms of varying sizes and adjacent to each other offering the ASAP staff more flexibility to one or more classes at the same time.
Another wing will provide space for staff offices, counseling room, records management storage and other needs specific to ASAP requirements.
The marriage of the two halves will also increase the understanding or what they have to offer Soldiers. Khalifah said this will especially be effective with the Army's increased focus on preventing substance abuse or suicide-related behaviors rather than treating resulting conditions.
"This will give us a larger profile on post and one closer to the troops we serve," he said.
In addition to serving Soldiers and units with substance abuse prevention services, ASAP provides federally mandated drug testing to civilian employees.
For more information on ASAP programs and services call 442-4205.
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