Safe Summer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sean D. Smith
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  During summer, Minot Air Force Base is free of the ice and harsh weather that can make dangerous conditions so prevalent during the winter, but warm weather doesn't lessen the importance of safety considerations.

The Air Force's aggressive stance against drinking and driving is well-known, but driving isn't the only activity that can be made hazardous by the inclusion of alcohol.

"There's a lot of hiking, a lot of camping and boating going on this time of year," said Tech. Sgt. Sara Wright, NCO in charge of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program. "All those things can be dangerous after you've had alcohol to drink. Obviously you don't want to be starting a fire or tending to one when you're intoxicated, and hiking definitely isn't a good idea when you've been drinking."

Wright explained that if the driver is intoxicated, operating watercraft isn't any safer than driving a car on the road. She also believes supervisors and leadership can influence Airmen to use discretion when drinking.

"ADAPT's mission is not to make an alcohol free Air Force," Wright said. "We want Airman who choose to drink to do so in moderation and responsibly without any negative consequences."
Wright also said that she wanted Airmen to enjoy the Minot summer and have as much fun as possible without taking unnecessary risks.

"When supervisors are doing their safety checks with their Airmen and seeing what they're doing over the weekend, I would definitely urge them to talk about their plans," Wright said. "If they do involve alcohol, what's their plan to be safe? Be real with your Airmen. Talk to them openly and frankly."

Wright said one key to healthy drinking habits is to view alcohol as an indulgence rather than a tool.

"Some people feel pressured to drink in a social setting because they feel everyone else is. It can be an issue if they feel that's their only way to be outgoing," she said. "But you never have to drink if you don't want to. And it's okay to have a beer to relax from time to time, but if drinking is your only way to relax, that could indicate a problem."

Wright had a wholesome alternative to relying on alcohol as a tool for coping with stress: social interaction.

"Get out more, and get involved with your unit," Wright said. "Minot has a lot of outreach and activities for Airmen. Involvement and networking will give people much stronger support than drinking will."

Wright encourages Airmen who are concerned about their alcohol use to self-identity to ADAPT and get help proactively. ADAPT personnel are available to visit individual units with the invitation of a commander and can be reached at 723-5527.