Altus Airmen strive to reduce the number of DUIs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class J. Zuriel Lee
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Altus Airmen are working to promote smart choices that prevent drunk driving.

Airmen Against Drunk Driving is one resource available to Airmen. This program uses volunteers to transport Airmen back to their residences after a night of drinking.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program, another resource available, provides education and prevention briefings to the 97th Air Mobility Wing.

"Having no plan and going out to have a good time involving alcohol is almost planning to drink and drive," said Capt. Erick Menjivar, 97th Medical Operations Squadron ADAPT program manager.

Menjivar encourages all Airmen to use an accountability system. Before drinking, take precautions, list the options that are available and make a plan.

Calling AADD, a supervisor, or a friend that has not had alcohol to ask for a ride are all safe options.

It takes about two hours to sober up from one serving of alcohol, not one drink itself. That being said, mixed drinks take longer to sober up from due to the amount of alcohol in the drink, said Menjivar.

"We want to create an environment of doing the right thing because it's right, not because of being forced by punishments," said Menjivar.

If charged with DUI, punishments can range from an Article 15, the lowest charge, to federal conviction resulting from an aggravated case, said Capt. Michael Bunnell, 97th Air Mobility Wing chief of military justice.

Consequences for DUI charges can include reductions in rank, forfeiture of pay, restrictions to base and a driver's license suspension of one year.

If a person has had a few drinks and is stopped and tested, a blood-alcohol content level reading of .08 or higher is enough to convict the driver.

A blood-alcohol content level reading between .05 and .08, while under the level of being legally drunk, can still warrant a charge of driving while impaired. It can be used as evidence against the driver and only needs the arresting officer's testimony to lead to a conviction.

The driver should have "no beer at all that night, not even if it was one sip five hours ago. Don't do it," said Bunnell. "It's not worth it."

If all else fails, make the smart and safe choice by calling AADD at 481-7433.

For more information on ADAPT, call Capt. Menjivar at 481-5444.