AADD drives toward sober streets

Published May 11, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- You've been looking forward to this night for weeks. You and your friends are going to a concert followed by a night at the bars. The plan is set - each car has a designated driver who will stay sober.

You down drinks one and two at the concert, and drinks three and four at the first bar. You feel tipsy, but still functional, when you notice your designated drivers are chugging beers. Your so-called drivers are so intoxicated they would face-plant without you holding them up. No one is sober enough to drive, but you feel confident in yourself. You're sure you could drive home successfully. WRONG.

What do you do? The answer - call Airmen Against Drunk Driving at (660) 687-RIDE.
AADD was established here March 14, 2001 to prevent drinking and driving by providing sober volunteer drivers. The program also provides peer support, education, awareness and a responsible sense of community involvement.

"This multi-faceted approach should reduce drinking and help create a safer environment for our coworkers, families, communities and lastly, ourselves," said Staff Sgt. Alyssa Joseph, AADD officer.

The program is available for pick-up and drop-off at the following Missouri communities: Whiteman, Knob Noster, Warrensburg, Windsor and Sedalia.

In 2010, the Whiteman community had 31 drunk while driving and driving while intoxicated offenses. So far this year, another eight offenses have been recorded.

To keep our communities safe and lower these statistics, Team Whiteman members should drink responsibly and make plans before going out. If these plans fall through, take advantage of the AADD program.

Those who don't need a ride, but are interested in volunteering, can contact Airman 1st Class Sharon Palmer, AADD public affairs officer at (660) 687-5414, or e-mail Sharon.palmer@whiteman.af.mil. The program currently has 130 volunteers but can always use more.