To drive or not to drive? What have I had to drink?

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chris Stagner
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Outside is a bevy of activity. People are going in and out of the shoppette. People are going in and out of the Liberty Club. Some people are standing outside smoking. Laughter and conversation echo through the air. It's the weekend, people are off work and they're having a good time blowing off some steam. 

Inside it's not loud, but it's not quiet. Six people sit in 48th Avenue. Two of them review work-related material. Three watch sports. One plays video games. In the midst of it all is a cell phone, and this cell phone sits on a table, seemingly under a gleaming light, like the Bat phone; waiting for an incoming call. 

It's 1 a.m. on a Sunday morning, and the people in 48th Avenue, keeping themselves isolated from the jovial atmosphere outside, are volunteers for the Airmen Against Drunk Driving program. 

The program started as a deterrent against drinking and driving. It's not a new program, by any means, but it's received a renewed sense of invigoration recently as more people sacrifice their weekends to ensure others don't make a mistake that can lead to them sacrificing their careers or, worse, their lives. 

"What I think is important about the program is it's Airmen taking care of Airmen; family taking care of family," said Col. Jay Silveria, 48th Fighter Wing commander and AADD volunteer. "Just this weekend we had six people who found themselves with no way home. They made the right decision, called AADD and we took care of them and they're fine." 

In the midst of what should have been a successful weekend for AADD volunteers, something happened that took away from their sense of success and reminded the commander how important this program is. 

"Unfortunately we had a DUI this weekend," said the commander. "This individual could have easily called AADD and would still have their life and career intact. No one would know his name, and it would be business as usual. Now, he's going to get a lot of attention." 

Reducing the number of drinking and driving incidents has been a priority for the commander, and it shows as the number of DUIs in 2009 is only a fraction of those in 2008. If the trends continue, there will be about 40 percent less than those in 2008.
While AADD is not solely responsible for the reduction, the program and its volunteers have certainly played a role in it. Currently, for every DUI at RAF Lakenheath, the AADD volunteers have had approximately 55 saves. 

Volunteers for the program do so for different reasons, but a general consensus is they want to make a difference. They want to foster an environment where people make more responsible decisions while 'letting their hair down'. 

"Airmen Against Drunk Driving is a great program that allows Airmen to give Airmen a helping hand on an evening they 'let their hair down' away from work," said Lt. Col. Richard Sheldon, 48th FW Command Post chief and AADD volunteer. "If an officer, NCO and Airman can volunteer one night every year or two, we can show the younger Airmen we are serious about making positive decisions, taking care of each other and doing what's right." 

While AADD volunteers are more than willing to drive people home, people who use the program need to have a plan before the night begins. Having a designated driver or money for a taxi should always be the first option. Sometimes, though, no matter how perfect the plan is, it fails. That was the case for Will Wychgram, an AAFES employee at Mildenhall, recently. 

"We had a plan," said Mr. Wychgram. "We enjoyed a night out and made sure we had enough money for a taxi home. Unfortunately there were no taxis available and no idea when we might be able to get one, so we called AADD. The drivers came and took us home, no questions asked." 

While the program's working, the new president is eyeing some changes he hopes will make it even more successful. 

"I see a lot of things that we can improve on," said Tech. Sgt. Jose Libunao, 48th Medical Operations Squadron Medical Services flight chief. "We are looking for ways we can make it better for both our customers and our volunteers. We are looking at avenues to educate people on what AADD is about, how can they use it as well as how can they help."