The Army Substance Abuse Program at White Sands Missile Range was selected as the winner of the 34^th annual Secretary of Defense Community Drug Awareness Award which is awarded to only one Army installation.

WSMR ASAP wins Secretary of Defense award

The Department of Defense Drug Demand Reduction Program directly impacts mission readiness. The presence in the military environment of persons who engage in drug abuse seriously impairs accomplishing the military mission and is a threat to the health, safety, security, and welfare of the total force.

Ed Westbrook, ASAP Program Manager, said winning the award was a team effort. He said even his predecessor Sandra Class gets credit for the award.

Westbrook and Garrison Commander Col. Don Mozer travelled to the Pentagon Oct. 17 to receive the award.

“It feels great. It really lets us know that we are doing what we need to do correctly. People are liking what we do,” Westbrook said.

Westbrook said the theme had an electronic delivery attribute to it making sure that customers are being reached via electronic means such as social media platforms, the internet and web pages.

One of the events that contributed towards the award was ASAP’s participation in the “Shattered Lives” educational event that was done in partnership with several agencies in Las Cruces, to include the Drug Enforcement Agency, The U.S. Border Patrol, New Mexico State University, New Mexico State Police, the County Morgue, local hospitals, and several other agencies.

“It was a great event,” Westbrook said.

He said the way they were able to identify the electronic version is because the event was covered by local media, and he was able to retrieve news segment and capture their recording with their permission and use it in the awards packet.

Another event that contributed to the award was the Red Ribbon Week event they did last year in October which was posted on all the WSMR Public Affairs Office social media sites.

Westbrook said it was a collaborative effort by Class, Williams and Judd.

Adam Judd, Drug Test Coordinator, said WSMR beat out all the large installations for the award.

Jessica Williams, Prevention Coordinator and Employee Assistance Program Specialist with ASAP, said putting on these events takes a lot of coordination and planning, especially for a three-person team, so it means a lot to be recognized for that work.

“It feels good to get recognized for our hard work,” Williams said.

Miriam Rodriguez

WSMR Public Affairs