US Military cracking down on alcohol abuse

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/11/15826007-military-cracks-down-on-alcohol-abuse-amid-age-old-bingeing-habit?lite

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Officials within the U.S. military are actively targeting over-boozing troops at home and abroad, but addiction specialists and service members say binge drinking remains as rampant as ever inside the armed services.

Among the new initiatives to stem the problem: The Marines, starting next year, will give random breathalyzer tests to Corps members; the Air Force and Army curbed some overnight liquor sales for U.S. military personnel in Germany; and American service members in Japan were barred from leaving their residences after consuming more than one adult beverage."

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The agency has a stated policy to "prevent and eliminate drug and alcohol abuse and dependence from the Department of Defense." The U.S. military, therefore, screens for problem drinking, provides treatment for those identified with alcohol or drug problems, and is working to "change attitudes toward binge drinking," Smith said, adding that "such abuse and dependence are incompatible with readiness, the maintenance of high standards of performance, and military discipline."

Indeed, in its analysis of boozing on military bases, the Institute of Medicine found that 47 percent of active-duty personnel engaged in binge drinking during 2008 (the most recent year for which data was available), and the authors concluded the use of alcohol and other drugs are "currently at unacceptably high levels," making it "detrimental to readiness and total force fitness." "

If you are charged with DWI in New Hampshire, it is important to note it is a criminal offense. If you are convicted of DWI and in the military, there is a very strong possibility it will have additional consequences for your career, including possibly being discharged. It is also more difficult to get into the armed forces if you have a DUI conviction. I have successfully helped numerous people in the armed services get a DWI dismissed so that they can continue serving our country.