A new report is calling for better strategies to manage substance abuse in the U.S. military.
The report from the institute of medicine says addictions are increasing in the military and that new approaches are needed to prevent and treat substance abuse.
The latest numbers show 11% of active duty personnel reported misusing prescription drugs and almost half are binge drinking.
Dr. Charles O'Brien with the Center for Studies of Addiction at University of Pennsylvania said, "It is a public health crisis and it think that's it is something that for a long time in the military it's been sort of accepted.
The panel says screening and intervention should be part of primary care and that military health professionals need better training.
Click the related link for resources to help veterans deal with substance abuse.
