Substance Abuse Prevention and
Treatment Program 

Purpose of Program. The goal of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program (SAPT) is to provide training, education, expedite screening and referral for treatment, and provide administrative processing resources in support of Coast Guard’s policy. The SAPT’s mission and belief is:

• Prevention works
• Treatment is effective, and
• Recovery is not only possible, but also probable.

Who is Eligible for this Program? Active-Duty Coast Guard and Coast Guard Selected Reserve (SELRES) members who need assistance with behavioral health concerns.

Who to Contact for SAPT questions: 

• Substance Abuse Prevention Program Supervisor: CWO Jordan Suchon, (757) 407-3563, jordan.n.suchon@uscg.mil
• Your District Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists (see below) 

a. The Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Program Manager:  Mr. Mattiko serves as the Headquarters’ Program Manager (PM) of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program and as a liaison to the Department of Defense and other agencies. The PM coordinates the development of substance abuse training and educational curricula for Coast Guard personnel. In addition, he is responsible for developing Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment policy and manages the program’s budget. Mr. Mattiko is assigned to the Behavioral Health Services Division in the Office of Work-Life (COMDT, CG-1K11).

b. The Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Program Supervisor: CWO Jordan Suchon is currently assigned to the Health, Safety, and Work-Life Service Center (HSWL SC), Norfolk. She collaborates with the PM to develop, implement, and maintain training and educational requirements for substance abuse prevention program personnel, including Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists (SAPS) and Command Drug and Alcohol Representatives (CDARs).

c. Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Team: Members of the SAPT are titled Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS). The SAPS are Commands’ primary point of contact for issues related to substance abuse prevention and treatment. They are detached personnel located at HSWL SC Norfolk, HSWL SC Alameda, CG Academy, and TRACEN Cape May as full-time prevention facilitators. SAPS establish a network of unit Command Drug and Representatives (CDARs) and consistently provide latest information pertaining to CDAR issues. They also assist CDARs in developing and conducting unit prevention plans and training, such as Prime for Life. Commands are encouraged to use this invaluable resource to develop prevention techniques and strategies to lower substance abuse risk. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Team is always available to support the mission.

d. Command Drug and Alcohol Representatives (CDARs): CDARs are an invaluable asset. They are responsible for serving as advisors to their parent command in the administration of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program. A CDAR’s duties are a collateral responsibility and administrative in nature. CDAR's are not behavioral health counselors and should not be perceived or utilized in that capacity.

e. Services and Resources Available For expedited access to resources pertaining to the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program contact the SAPT team via your District Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist.

Related educational and support opportunities.

a. Addictions Orientation for Health Care Providers (AOHCP-1) Training. Assistants, Behavioral Health Providers & SAPS) that teaches fundamental skills necessary for performing medical assessments pertaining to substance use disorders. Courses can be scheduled throughout the fiscal year. To request an AOHCP quota, the requesting provider needs to submit a completed and endorsed Short-Term Resident Training Request (STTR, CG-5223). Completed STTRs should be submitted in Direct Access (DA) by the unit's Training Officer. Annual quotas are limited and are processed on a first-come-first serve bases but may be further prioritized based on program need. 
Please Note:  Heath Care Providers who have not attended AOHCP or an equivalent substance abuse training course are NOT credentialed/qualified for the Coast Guard’s purpose to perform substance use disorder screenings.

b. CDAR Training Resident training designed to teach designated CDARs the skills and responsibilities associated with performing their duties. CDAR courses are scheduled throughout the fiscal year by regional SAPS. Coast Guard commands requesting quotas should contact the SAPS in their districts prior to submitting a STTR.

c. Prime For Life (PFL) Training PFL^® is a motivational enhancement risk reduction program. PRIME for Life helps foster attitudes, beliefs, and understanding that help people reduce risk for any type of alcohol or drug problem. The program offers a unique, nonjudgmental self-assessment experience to help people become more aware of what they value, what they are risking, and how to protect the things that mean the most in their lives. PFL is designed to:

• Serve as an evidence-based prevention and intervention protocol for all-hands, Command selective/ indicated audiences, and those identified by medical providers.
• Serve as an evidence-based pretreatment protocol.
• Fulfills Substance Use Education (early intervention) requirement(s) and serve as the educational component e, g, State required DUI education requirement.
• Is consistent with the principles of Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavior Therapy in a therapeutic educational setting.

Program References The following references provide details applicable to the Substance Abuse Prevention Program

• Military Substance Abuse and Behavioral Addictions Program Manual - COMDTINST M1000.10 (SERIES) 
• Coast Guard Substance Abuse and Treatment Manual - COMDTINST M6320.5 (SERIES)
• If you need assistance beyond the information provided above, please contact the SAPT Supervisor: CWO Jordan Suchon, (757) 407-3563, jordan.n.suchon@uscg.mil.