Developing a culture of responsibility

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Torri Ingalsbe
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Col. Christopher Coffelt, 90th Missile Wing commander, joined Gov. Matt Mead and Cheyenne Police Chief Brian Kozak for a press conference held at the Wyoming State Capitol Sept. 27, addressing local collaboration for underage drinking prevention.

The initiative, titled "Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws," is based on the "0-0-1-3" program in place at Warren. The program centers around responsible drinking and operates on the premise of zero drinks for anyone under 21 and for those of age, zero drinking under the influence charges, no more than one drink per hour and no more than three drinks in a night.

"This has been the most successful program in curbing instances of alcohol-related issues in my 20-plus years with the military. We saw a dramatic reduction in incidences once it was implemented," Coffelt said. "This program really shows people what it means to be a responsible user of alcohol."

The local community is looking to adopt the program due to significant instances of underage drinking. One of the main pieces of the new program is offering alternate opportunities and activities that may entice the younger community and base members away from drinking.

"Wyoming has a problem with alcohol-related arrests. We have too many underage kids using alcohol, and we, frankly, have too many adults who are not responsible, and that is a detriment to the state," Mead said. "This team and the work they are going to do under this program will help with that problem."

The enforcement piece involves the local police department and local volunteers establishing themselves within the community and making their presence known.

"My hope is through this collaboration, strict enforcement of underage drinking laws and aggressive DUI task force operations, we can prevent crime," Kozak said.
EUDL also focuses on educating both underage and of-age community members on the responsible choices involving alcohol.

"We all play a role in educating our young Airmen about the dangers and potential consequences of underage drinking," Coffelt said. "F.E. Warren strives to foster a culture of responsible choices, and this collaboration will bring us closer to our unified goal of reducing underage drinking throughout the community."