Make 2011 a year to remember, not one to forget

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dan Gage
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WYO --  With the beginning of a new year the usual talk among people is resolutions and aspects of life that should be improved.

Eating right, quit smoking and exercising more are some common resolutions that often don't make it to February.

As a group, the men and women of Air Force Global Strike Command's F. E. Warren Air Force base have been issued a new year's resolution challenge by Chief Master Sgt. Marty Anderson, 90th Missile Wing command chief; a resolution to go six months DUI free.

Last year, Warren had a total of 21 DUIs throughout the year. According to numbers from the Center for Disease Control, a person who is stopped for a DUI could possibly have been driving intoxicated 67 to 83 times before actually being pulled over.

Alcohol is a factor in almost half of all traffic fatalities and each year approximately 16,000 people are killed in alcohol-related crashes according to reports by the CDC.

"Binge drinking is the main component or contributor in all of our DUIs this past year," said Tony Fontes, 90th Medical Operations Group.

More than 15 percent of adults in the US have reported binge drinking during the past month, according to CDC reports, they also reported binge drinking four time a month, or every weekend.

"One of the most common things people say when they come in with a DUI is that they felt fine," said Mr. Fontes. "This is a sign of alcohol tolerance. "

"A person's chances of being involved in a drunk driving accident increase dramatically after every two beers they drink," added Mr. Fontes. "At the point when you have reached a six pack, your chances of being in a drunk driving accident are up to 44%."

Binge drinking, according to the standards provided by the CDC are five drinks for men and four for women. Averages reported by those polled for the studies showed the average numbers consumed were much higher. The average for men reported was nine drinks and women had an average of six.

Binge drinking is the largest contributor to ADAPT referrals, according to Mr. Fontes. Between last year and moving into 2011, 95 percent of referrals have been due to binge drinking.

Drinking in excess can cause people to make bad decision. "I call it a crime of choice," said Mr. Fontes. "We make plans, we have choices but we make the decision to not follow through."

"One of the natural effects of alcohol, even in small amounts is that the inhibitions and judgments are down," said Jeff Randall, 90th MDOS.

"Smart people who would normally have a plan don't make the right decision," added Mr. Randall.

A recent trend that also seems to contribute to people making bad decisions is the mixture of alcohol and energy drinks.

"One of the biggest reasons people get DUIs is that they mix alcohol with energy drinks," said Mr. Randall. "The energy drinks override the effects of the alcohol and can make you feel less drunk."

"Your blood alcohol content is still up though," said Mr. Fontes. "Much like having a high tolerance, just because you don't feel it doesn't mean you're BAC isn't up and your reflexes are still impaired."

When it comes down to getting behind the wheel, there is only one good decision to make.

"If you're going to drive, don't drink," said Mr. Fontes. "If you're going to drink, don't drive. There is no safe limit."

No matter the size of a person the liver still processes alcohol at the same rate, he added. "It's best to follow 0-0-1-3."

In 2004, 0-0-1-3 was established here as an alcohol abuse prevention program. Zero alcoholic drinks for those under the age of 21, zero DUIs, no more than one drink per hour and no more than three drinks per day.

"One thing that stands out," added Mr. Randall. "In most DUI cases we see, there was someone there who could have prevented the person from getting behind the wheel. We have to be better wingmen."