Agencies and programs aid Airmen in fight against DUIs at Moody

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Spencer Gallien
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Since 2007, Moody Air Force Base has seen a significant decrease in the amount of alcohol related incidents involving Airmen and their families.

From 2007 to 2008, the base saw a decline of more than 50-percent in Driving Under the Influence charges, which Staff Sgt. Matt Ryan, Sober Ride program manager, attributes to programs on base including Sober Ride, the Air Force Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program and initiatives highlighting the importance of responsible decision-making by the 23rd Wing Safety office.

Sober Ride, a program designed to help Airmen return home safely after a night out. However, the program is a fail-safe measure and should never be used as an individuals plan-A for getting home, said Sergeant Ryan.

The Sober Ride initiative has assisted more than 1,000 Airmen since 2004 with a goal of giving individuals a second option after consuming alcohol, if they find themselves without a designated driver.

"In 2008, we noticed Airmen taking more responsibility for their actions," said Sergeant Ryan. "Base-wide, we are following proper personal risk management when assessing whether it is safe for us to drive home."

Another program that helped Airmen make more responsible decisions in 2008 was ADAPT, a program designed to help Airmen deal with alcohol and drug abuse.

"Our number one goal is to educate the units on base on how to drink responsibly, the negative effects of binge drinking, and misuse of prescription medications and use of illegal substances," said Staff Sgt. Kristi Fisk, 23rd Medical Operations Squadron ADAPT NCO in-charge.

Sergeant Fisk also pointed out that the ADAPT program is a helping agency here to assist Airmen.

The program offers classes that directly deal with binge drinking and alcoholism and summarize the effects substances have on an individual's health, relationships, decision-making, legal and financial situations.

"Education is the key to prevention," added Sergeant Fisk. "We want to make sure Airmen are aware of the consequences that substance abuse has on them, as well as others, so they make responsible decisions."

The responsible decisions the ADAPT program has helped cultivate, as well as the Sober Ride program giving Airmen an extra option while out for the evening, has helped lead the way for Moody to reduce DUIs by more than 50-percent.

"All of the programs and agencies on base that are dedicated to helping Airmen make responsible decisions have helped cultivate a safe, productive atmosphere," added Lt. Col. Joe Rizzuto, 23rd Wing Safety chief. "We look forward to building on the successes we've experienced at Moody in 2008 and carrying them into the future."