Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP)
Overview
BSS includes two sworn employees assigned to its Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Unit (formerly referred to as the Addiction Prevention Unit). Residing alongside the aforementioned professional services, ASAP members offer subject matter expertise and specialized services as certified drug alcohol counselors. As an extension of the groundbreaking 1980 Special Order (26) that indicated the LAPD would recognize the treatable nature of alcohol and stress related problems, ASAP personnel are granted limited confidentiality privileges by the Department in order to achieve their purpose and mission of helping Department personnel who might not otherwise seek needed help. Their often life-changing work includes providing training, assessment, referral, and even transport services to employees and their significant others who may be struggling with substance use problems, with the compassion and understanding that only personal experience can bring. They have served as a beacon of support and hope for employees in crisis, and a model for other law enforcement agencies around the world to follow.
ASAP Unit Services
Substance abuse assessment and counseling
Treatment program referral and transport
Support/educational groups
Academy, roll call, and other specialized training
Managerial consultation
Case management and follow-up
LA Magazine Feature on ASAP Unit
In January 2018, Los Angeles Magazine featured ASAP (formerly called APU) and its services in the article, “Inside the LAPD Program That Helps Cops Conquer Addiction.”