Detective Sheila Valdez, Fayetteville Police Department, talks to an audience consisting of police officers, sheriffs, medics, victim advocates and unit prevention leaders about the changing world of substance abuse during the Army Community Service ...

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The Weaver Auditorium at Womack Army Medical Center was filled with personnel who have dedicated their lives to helping others and were eager to learn even more ways to help those in need.

On Sept. 13, Army Community Service, in conjunction with Family Advocacy and Alcohol and Substance Abuse programs, hosted first responders training involving drug and substance abuse -- just in time for Drug and Alcohol Recovery Month in September.

The participants had the opportunity to learn about the use and mental and physical effects of recreational and prescription drug abuse as taught by Maj. Bruce McGee, a staff psychiatrist for the WAMC Behavioral Health Department. Also included in the training was a segment from Detective Shelia Valdez, Fayetteville Police Department, Drug Diversion Unit, who explained the investigation/prevention of drug use and drug related crimes.

The training concluded with a presentation by Patricia Rolleri, prevention coordinator for the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program, who explained the resources available to servicemembers and the Families as well as how to access those resources.

Staff Sgt. Michael Blackwell, S6, 18th Fires Brigade, said he enjoyed the and explained that he is his unit's prevention leader and the training complimented what he was taught during the UPL training.

"The realization of how drugs are affecting people … just blow my mind," said Blackwell. "The number (of people using) and the changing developments of the drugs they are using -- like spice and prescription drugs … This type of training is really needed and a lot of answers were given here that have been asked to me and my command before. It's a really good ... really well put together (training event)."

Jeri Veirs, the coordinator for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, FAP program on Fort Bragg, explained that they were seeing a trend among the victims of sexual assault and substance abuse.

"If (the victims) themselves weren't (abusing substances) their assailants were," said Veirs. "So we broadened the training to focus on substance abuse."

For Ruth (last name withheld) who's a rape victim advocate, the training opened up another aspect to helping her clients.

"(This training) helped accentuate what we really need to pay attention to when dealing with our clients," Ruth said. "There has been a dramatic change in the drug culture and how they enter it. This was very interesting."