iii marine expeditionary force and marine corps bases japan JUNE 27, 2008 WWW.OKINAWA.USMC.MIL Medical call service can save time, money REMEMBRANCE Lance Cpl. Tyler J. Hlavac OKINAWA MARINE STAFF CAMP LESTER — Before spend- ing hours sitting in the emergency room awaiting treatment for a minor injury or illness, patients may con- sider calling the Okinawa Clinical Answering Service for quick medi- cal advice. Officials from U.S. Naval Hospi- tal Okinawa and Kadena Air Base’s 18th Medical Group suggest patients use the service to obtain answers over the phone on how to deal with minor injuries and illnesses. Used properly, the answering ser- vice can help provide patients with solutions for minor ailments, said Navy Lt. Jeff Hobbs, an ER charge nurse with USNH Okinawa. The service exists to alleviate long wait times in the emergency room. “As patients are seen on the basis of their medical concern, not Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, speaks June 23 during a ceremony on a first-come, first-serve basis, at the Okinawa Prefecture Peace Memorial Park. More than 5,000 Americans and Japanese attended the event, held in patients (with more minor issues) honor of those who died during the Battle of Okinawa. SEE STORY ON PAGE 8. Photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron D. Hostutler could spend a lot of time waiting,” Hobbs said. Many medical issues such as sunburns, rashes, fevers and jelly- USFJ commander visits Okinawa fish stings can be treated at home. Callers can expect to speak with Consolidated Public Affairs Office between the U.S. and Japan under the Defense Policy a corpsman, who will ask questions and review Initiative. In addition, the agreement calls about the injury or illness and rec- KADENA AIR BASE — United States Forces Japan for the relocation of 8,000 Marines, sailors and family ommend a home remedy or advise a Commander Air Force Lt. Gen. Edward A. Rice, Jr. members to Guam. hospital visit. If the patient is from visited Okinawa June 18-20 on his first trip to the Though elements of the realignment plan have or near Kadena Air Base, the corps- island since assuming command in February. not been implemented, Rice said the overall plan man can provide the phone number “As the Commander of (USFJ), I want to make sure is the right one and remains scheduled for comple- to an 18th Medical Group doctor. that I have a good understanding of the role that all of tion by 2014. Hobbs stressed the purpose of the our forces play in the defense of Japan and in bringing “The realignment initiatives will allow us to remain service is to improve patient care prosperity and security to the region,” Rice said during here while reducing the impact on the local commu- for everyone. a press conference with military and local reporters. nity,” Rice said. “We are not telling people to stay During the visit, Rice met with the III Marine Rice toured numerous military installations during away from the ER,” he said. “The Expeditionary Force Commanding General Lt. Gen. his visit and said he had an extremely positive impres- answering service is an under-uti- Richard C. Zilmer followed by an operational and sion of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines he lized, simple system that can spare engineering brief from senior officials representing met along the way. people gas money and time.” Marine Corps Bases Japan. “There’s nothing like getting to see things firsthand, The Okinawa Clinical Answering After the brief, the general embarked on a tour of getting your eyes on the locations and talking with the Service phone number is 643-4245. Camp Foster before heading north to Camp Schwab people doing the work,” said Rice. “They have a very The service is available weekdays for his first look at the proposed site for the relocation positive attitude. They understand the importance of between 4 p.m. and 7 a.m. and of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. the mission that they have here, and the importance of 24 hours a day on weekends and The relocation of the Marine Corps air station is what we expect of them here in terms of ambassadors holidays. one of the nineteen realignment initiatves reached of the United States.” MAINTAINING THE CHAIN SUMMER HOSPITALITY Mechanics from Marine Aerial Refueler Schwab’s Marines and sailors invite DE I Squadron 152 conduct vigorous local children to play at the camp’s inspections to keep their birds flying Oura Wan Beach INS PG. 6 PG. 9 okinawa marine | OPINION & EDITORIAL | june 27, 2008 Inhalant abuse most prevalent among young adolescents Mary MacCulloch people, has abused over-the-coun- down the body’s functioning. to talk about inhalant abuse. The ter cough medications containing The most serious effect is Sud- National Inhalant Prevention Co- Editor’s Note: This is the second of DXM intentionally to get high. den Sniffing Death Syndrome, alition, http://www.inhalants.org, four articles addressing the problem which is the result of a sudden and SAMHSA, http://www.samhsa. of adolescent drug abuse. Inhalants disturbance in the heart’s rhythm, gov, are both excellent resources Drug use is a prominent issue resulting in cardiac arrest. This and provide numerous studies and for the adolescent community. Inhalant abuse is the deliber- can happen any time inhalants are articles outlining the seriousness of Inhalants and dextrometho- ate inhalation of fumes or gasses used. Inhalants can also lead to sei- this addiction. rphan (DXM) are common from common household products zures, coma or injury from an ac- Personnel on Okinawa may substances that aren’t illegal to for the purpose of getting high. cident suffered while intoxicated. contact the Adolescent Substance purchase, but are abused almost Examples of these products are Possible signs of inhalant abuse Abuse Counseling Service for exclusively by teens. According gasoline, rubber cement, nail pol- are: chemical odor on breath and education and treatment-related to a March/April ish remover, butane and products clothes, sores around the mouth, questions. ASACS is a community- COMMUNITY 2008 report by in aerosol cans such as dust-off or nausea and loss of appetite, slurred based program providing preven- the U.S. Department of Health and spray paint. or disoriented speech, and drunk, tion, education and substance Human Services, Substance Abuse Inhalants are often the first dazed or dizzy appearance. abuse treatment services for 12 to and Mental Health Services Ad- drug abused by teens. According to Parents may also notice second- 18-year-old family members. All ministration, inhalants are used by SAMHSA, 48 percent of 12 to 17- ary signs of substance abuse in services are free and confidential. 12 and 13-year-old children more year-old children reported inhal- adolescents: poor grades, behav- ASACS representatives may be than any other class of drug. Addi- ant abuse during substance abuse ioral problems, change or loss of reached at 645-3153 and 645-7771. tionally, the Partnership for a Drug treatment admissions. friends, and changes in mood or MacCulloch is a licensed clini- Free America reported in 2005 that The effects of inhalants are personality. cal social worker at Lester Middle one in eleven, or 2.2 million young similar to anesthetics; they slow All families should make time School. Spiritual power necessary to winning the war on terrorism Lt. Mark Brooks Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. take the oath to defend our However, it is my activity, work, pursuit of once said “A nation that country, we are standing contention that a strong money or recognition, alco- Marines and sailors are of- continues to produce soft- for something. Whatever spiritual life can come hol, drugs, overeating, etc. ten encouraged to take care minded men purchases the original motivation, we only through a personal As a nation we are of their total person. The its own spiritual death on become part of a greater relationship with God. It engaged in what has been mind, body and spirit each the installment plan.” This whole. Yes, some join for is through this relationship termed the “long war.” need care. CHAPLAIN S statement challenges us in the tangibles: bonuses, that you discover your true With this view towards an ’ The physical many ways. A soft-minded money for college, or job identity and purpose in life. extended conflict, I believe CORNER part is the man or woman will not re- skills. Many more join for Contrary to what popular what General George C. easiest and usually receives main steadfast to their core the intangibles: pride, hon- culture tells you, you will Marshall stated many years the most attention. I would values when confronted or, duty, a sense of purpose not find life’s meaning by ago rings especially true for like to take a few moments with an ethical or moral and belonging and even for looking within yourself. our generation, “Military to address the spiritual. dilemma. This also follows a sense of family, which Instead, what we each find power wins battles, but A strong mind and body the old cliché, “If you stand the person may not have is a vacuum waiting to be spiritual power wins wars.” can overcome a lot, but if for nothing, you will fall for experienced before. The filled. Everyone chooses to Brooks is the chaplain we break down spiritually, anything.” Navy-Marine Corps team fill this void with some- of 9th Engineer Support disaster is not far away. The fact is when we can provide all of these. thing. It may be filled with Battalion.