erald Union H Vol. XXIII, No. 26
Wiesbaden: Our home in Germany
‘Exercise — Exercise — Exercise!’
www.herald-union.com
Sept. 29, 2016
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage in Wiesbaden
5th Signal hosts event to highlight diversity, history, achievements Herald-Union Staff From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 the Wiesbaden community is invited to celebrate the history, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America during Hispanic Heritage Month. September 15th was chosen as the starting point of Hispanic Heritage Month because it is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on Sept. 16, and Chile on Sept. 18.
Photo above by Volker Ramspott, photo right by Dee Crawford
U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden held its annual full scale exercise Sept. 14 in Hainerberg Housing. This year’s exercise focused on force protection. Exercises are a vital part of ensuring the garrison is prepared to protect our Soldiers and families, and that our installation is secure. See more photos on page 3.
See ‘Heritage’ on page 6
ASAP clinical care realigns to Health Clinic Oct. 1 By Wiesbaden Army Health Clinic Starting Oct. 1, a significant change is taking place across the Army in how care is provided for beneficiaries who struggle with substance use issues. The Army Substance Abuse Program clinical care portion will be realigned under the U.S. Army Medical Command as Substance Use Disorder Clinical Care, or SUDCC, to integrate substance abuse care with the Behavioral Health System. The change comes following a comprehensive review of the program and is a directive from the Secretary of the Army.
Inside Retiree Appreciation Day
Basic medical and dental services will be provided, see page 5.
Responsibility and policy oversight of ASAP drug testing and deterrence, alcohol and drug abuse prevention training and the ASAP training curriculum will remain under the Installation Management Command. Substance abuse and substance use disorders have increased in the Army since 2001 due to the cumulative and continued stressors of a persistent conflict. The realignment of the ASAP clinical care portion ensures holistic and integrated treatment across the Army in accordance with Department of Defense policies, national standards and clinical best practices.
The integration of clinical services with behavioral health addresses cooccurring mental and physical illnesses and substance use disorders to allow for effective and evidence-based early intervention. “The ASAP clinic already has an outstanding relationship with the behavioral health clinic,” said Nicole Walton, current chief of the ASAP clinic. “This realignment will allow us to improve coordination and care management for patients with substance use and behavioral health conditions. We believe the realignment will lead to fewer treatment failures and better substance use disorders outcomes through earlier detection
Break the silence
Help bring awareness to domestic violence, see page 2.
and intervention,” Walton added. In Wiesbaden, SUDCC counselors will be made part of Behavioral Health teams no later than Oct. 1. Two multidisciplinary clinics will be established for Soldiers, families, and other beneficiaries to receive Behavioral Health care. The clinics will be located in Bldg. 1526 (near the Welcome Center — previously the ASAP building) and Bldg. 1041 (adjacent to the main Health Clinic — current BH clinic). Regardless of behavioral health or substance abuse condition, commanders and Soldiers will have a single point of entry for care, education and relapse
Be cyber smart Learn ways to keep your computer information safe, see page 16.
See ‘ASAP’ on page 14