Beale's DUI Prevention Team educates Airmen on risks of driving under the influence

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ramon A. Adelan
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 9th Security Forces Squadron, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Flight, Staff Judge Advocate Office and California Highway Patrol hosted a briefing to educate Team Beale on the dangers of driving under the influence on May 8, 2014 here.

The DUI Prevention Team coordinated the briefing to reduce and eliminate the number of incidents occurring here. The theme of the briefing was, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Senior Master Sgt. Carey Jordan, DUI Prevention Team leader, said the vision behind providing DUI information is to supplement already established policies, procedures and practices to reduce and eliminate alcohol and drug related incidents.

"The ultimate goal is zero DUIs for all Airmen assigned to Beale," Jordan said.

"The mission is to promote, through education, intrusive leadership, wingman concept and supervisory involvement, a culture of Airmen who are making the right decisions by not getting behind the wheel or allowing someone to get behind the wheel while impaired," said Jordan.

According to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing Safety Office, there have been five DUIs issued to both enlisted and officer personnel in 2014. Four of the five DUIs occurred in April alone.

During the event, Jodie Beck, a California Highway Patrol public information officer, held a demonstration where volunteers wore goggles that simulated being under the influence of alcohol. The goggles affected the participants' coordination while walking and passing a ball.

According to Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Franklin, Staff Judge Advocate NCO in charge of military justice, driving under the influence can impact an Airman's career, family and finances.

"Consequences for driving under the influence can result in an Article 111 under the Uniform Code of Military Justice which leads to administrative actions," Franklin said.