Event to raise awareness on drug and alcohol abuse Published Dec. 7, 2011 By Airmen 1st Class Desiree W. Esposito and Jose L. Hernandez Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The base Mental Health Clinic, alongside various organizations, is scheduled to host a drug and drunk-driving awareness event Dec. 12 at the 5th Security Forces Squadron training building from 12 to 4 p.m. The event is designed to raise awareness on responsible drinking and will include informative briefings on drug and alcohol abuse. Staff Sergeant Jessica Delgado, 5th Medical Operations Squadron Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program NCO in charge, said they will offer a diverse program of learning activities to include mocktails, which are beverages without alcohol, informative ADAPT videos, and a interactive field sobriety test using drunk goggles. Assisting in the event will also be the Airman and Family Readiness center and the 5th SFS which will be in charge of conducting the field sobriety tests. Delgado said they are finalizing coordination to bring out caddies to the event so they can set up a course and have individuals ride through them with drunk goggles. "Everyone is invited to this event," said Delgado. "Airmen, commanders, dependants and everybody else can come out to take part." Senior Airman Tom Vann, 5th SFS police services team member, explained the effort is to reach out to the entire Minot AFB community because issues of alcohol and drug abuse can affect anyone. The campaign to tackle the issue of drunk-driving has been an ongoing effort by the Team Minot community and the Air Force. Service members are more likely to receive harsher punishments as a result of DUI arrest as it can greatly affect their career progression and standing with their service. "It's essential to raise awareness on these topics and to explain to people the options they have if they ever find themselves in a tight situation," said Staff Sgt. Odette Wardrip, 5th MDOS resiliency NCO in charge. Wardrip encourage people to seek out help, make responsible choices and not be concerned about utilizing Operation SafeRide. The organizers all agreed they were looking forward to broadening perspectives by hosting this event. For more information on the event contact the Mental Health office at 723-5527.