ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICIES

(wrong actions). Generally, the hotline is used when the chain of command cannot or will not take appropriate action. ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICIES Learning Objective: When you finish this chapter, you will be able to— � Identify the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse. Our Navy is the most professional, highly trained, and capable force in the world and our Sailors function in a highly complex, technological environment requiring 100 percent of their mental and physical abilities. Alcohol and drug abuse and the incidents it causes impair our readiness and reduce the quality of life of our Navy team. All DoN bases/installations will strictly conform to the drinking age limitations of the state or country in which they are located, and under no circumstances will drinking be permitted below the age of 18. The perception that alcohol is central to our tradition is wrong. Everyone from the new recruit to admiral must recognize the effect alcohol abuse can have on them, on others (including their families) and on their careers. Each Sailor is ultimately responsible and will be held accountable for their own actions. Personal responsibility means no drinking and driving, no drinking to the extent that it impairs judgment (resulting in irresponsible behavior or incidents), no public drunkenness, and absolute compliance with the local laws for purchase, possession, and use of alcoholic beverages. We have a personal responsibility not to abuse alcohol. We also have a responsibility to our shipmates. Shipmates take care of shipmates. All of us must be aware of the warning signs of alcohol abuse and must take positive steps to ensure shipmates stay on the right course. Don’t let a shipmate drive after drinking. Shipmates who are drunk need to be watched and not left alone. Drug use is incompatible with the Navy’s high standards of performance, military discipline, and readiness. The Navy has a “zero tolerance” policy, which means using illegal drugs or abusing prescription drugs will result in being discharged from the Navy. PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVACY ACT Learning Objective: When you finish this chapter, you will be able to— � Recall key provisions of the Privacy Act and recognize its purpose. The Privacy Act primarily protects the rights of personal privacy of people about whom records are maintained by agencies of the federal government. In other words, the Privacy Act protects your privacy about your records the federal government maintains. It isn’t legal for an agency of the federal government to maintain records on people without announcing the fact in the Federal Register. If your duty requires you to keep personal information about others, keep only that information that is needed to do what law requires. Remember, keep personal information private! Don’t disclose information about a person to any unauthorized person. If you make an unauthorized disclosure, you may be fined up to $5,000. If you maintain records on your fellow Navy member, you have an obligation to protect this information from unauthorized disclosure. Also, it’s your right to look at any record the Department of the Navy keeps on you. You have the right to copy it and to request to have it corrected if you think it is wrong. REVIEW 5 QUESTIONS Q1. What is the Navy’s policy on drug abuse? Q2. What is the purpose of the Integrity and Efficiency Program? 1-13 Student Notes: