For more than 20 years, the DoD has collected information regarding behavioral and health readiness of active duty military personnel through the Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Military Personnel (Survey). In 2005, DoD initiated the ¿Dept. of Defense Lifestyle Assessment Program,¿ which incorporates the active-duty health behaviors study and expands the scope to include the National Guard and Reserves, as well as other special studies, the first of which will examine unit-level influences on alcohol and tobacco use. The 2005 Survey has two broad aims for active duty military personnel: (1) to continue the survey of substance use; and (b) to assess progress toward selected ¿Healthy People 2010¿ objectives. Charts and tables.

Politicians and the media tell us that people who take drugs, including alcohol or nicotine, cannot help themselves. They are supposedly victims of the disease of 'addiciton', and they need 'treatment'. The same goes for sex addicts, shopping addicts, food addicts, gambling addicts, or even addicts to abusive relationships. This theory, which grew out of the Temperance movement and was developed and disseminated by the religious cult known as Alcoholics Anonymous, has not been confirmed by any factual research. Numerous scientific studies show that 'addicts' are in control of their behavior. Contrary to the shrill, mindless propaganda of the 'war on drugs', very few of the people who use alcohol, marijuana, heroin, or cocaine will ever become 'addicted', and of those who do become heavy drug users, most will matrue out of it in time, without treatment. Research indicates that 'treatment' is completely ineffective, an absolute waste of time and money. Instead of looking at drub addiction as a disease, Dr. Schaler proposes that we view it as willful commitment or dedication, akin to joining a religion or pursuing a romantic involvement. While heavy consumption of drugs is often foolish and self-destructive, it is a matter of personal choice.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the lead federal agency for increasing access to behavioral health services. SAMHSA funds community-based mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention services and collects information on the incidence and prevalence of mental illness and substance abuse at the national and state level. These activities support SAMHSA's mission to improve the lives of people with substance abuse disorders and mental illnesses. This book provides an overview of SAMHSA's organization and programs and includes some analysis of the agency's funding over the past decade. It also highlights some of the issues that may be addressed by Congress when it next considers legislation to reauthorize SAMHSA and its programs.