RALEIGH, N.C. – Home to over 120,000 active duty personnel stationed in the seven military bases throughout our state or deployed overseas, North Carolina houses the fourth largest number of military personnel in the United States and expects another 25,000 active duty members by 2011. Military service is affecting our state’s veterans and their families, prior to, during and post deployment, with deaths, disabilities, injuries, mental health and substance abuse issues. Researchers have found that alcohol and substance use problems exist during pre and post-deployment and that those who were deployed and exposed to combat were significantly more likely to experience new-onset heavy drinking, binge drinking and alcohol related problems (Jacobson et al., 2008). Of the 350,000 OEF-OIF veterans, 16% received a provisional diagnosis of non-dependent alcohol or other substance abuse, 4% of alcohol dependence, and 2% of other substance dependence (Eggleston et al., 2009). When substance abuse or dependence is combined with post-traumatic stress disorder (prevalence rates of 13-22%), clinical problems such as psychosocial impairment, aggression, and suicide arise.

North Carolina is committed to ensuring the best and most up to date services are available for the returning combat veterans and their families experiencing the effects of substance use disorders. Through partnerships throughout the state such as, The Governor’s Focus on Returning Combat Veterans and their Families http://www.veteransfocus.org/ whose aim is to “promote best practices in the service of returned veterans of the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) conflicts, and their families”, and The Coalition http://www.thecoalitionnc.org/ , North Carolina focuses on implementing an integrated continuum of care emphasizing, access, quality, effectiveness, efficiency and compassion. Principles of resilience, prevention and recovery are accentuated along with state-of-the-art clinical services as part of a balanced public health and behavioral health approach. Through the continued partnerships of organizations throughout North Carolina, our state works to realize a dream of a referral network of services through with residents will have access to post deployment readjustment assistance for veterans and their families.

The Coalition, a group of 40 statewide organizations advocating together, speaks on behalf of North Carolinian Veterans and their families living with substance abuse by bringing the needs of these heroes to the attention of state legislatures and other leaders. By holding lawmakers accountable for continuing to create and provide the quality resources and services needed by our state’s veterans and their families, we hope to continue to improve and impact the lives of our states returned servicemen and women.