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ADAPT educates and increases DUI awareness

By Airman 1st Class Kristoffer Kaubisch, Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs / Published October 02, 2013

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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- This is the third story in a 3-part series focusing on DUI prevention initiatives at Minot Air Force Base

In an effort to end alcohol and drug addiction among Airmen, Minot Air Force Base has a variety of programs and agencies, but perhaps the most influential is the 5th Medical Group's Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program, simply referred to as ADAPT.

The skilled professionals who run the ADAPT program are focused not only on treatment but also raising awareness, said Tech. Sgt. Tracy Davidson, 5th Medical Operations Squadron ADAPT technician. Through increased awareness, individuals may find treatment before addiction ruins one's career or worse -- ends someone's life.

"We are here for treatment and to help the active member return to full status," said Davidson.

In addition to reducing addiction, ADAPT technicians also spend vast amounts of time educating of-age audiences on responsible drinking, added Davidson.

Many individuals do not realize the margin between casual and binge drinking, said Staff Sgt. Jessica Wyrick, 5th MDOS noncommissioned officer in charge of ADAPT. Males should consume no more than four drinks per night or 14 drinks in a week, while females should consume no more than three drinks per night or seven drinks in a week.

Bing drinking has a variety of adverse effects, added Wyrick. Perhaps the most dramatic is lapses in individual judgment, which can perpetuate alcohol related incidents. Likewise, excessive drinking has an increased risk of long-term physical side effects.

"We advocate strongly that not only Airmen know how much they drink, but also what they drink," said Wyrick.

Depending on where a particular mixed drink is bought, the combination of alcohol varies dramatically, said Wyrick. At various locations, one drink may be anywhere between three to seven shots of alcohol or more despite only being one glass.

"We also advocate that Airmen have a plan when they go out and that they don't drink to the point where they don't remember their plan," said Wyrick.

To promote responsible drinking and reduce alcohol related incidents, ADAPT sponsors a variety of events throughout the year, explained Wyrick. During Alcohol Awareness Month in April and Drunk Driving Awareness Month in December, ADAPT promotes responsible drinking and teaches the impact of driving under the influence through educational booths, briefings, surveys and more.

"We are usually doing some sort of outreach, whether it's going out and getting information or providing screenings to the public to see where they stand with alcohol and if they have a problem or not," said Wyrick.

For ADAPT it is all about education, but when Airmen are command-directed to the program and don't complete it, they may face disciplinary action. Commanders, with assistance from the Base Legal Office, determine administrative punishment.

"From a disciplinary standpoint, a commander can offer an Article 15 and potentially give it a court martial," said Capt. Christopher Mangels, 5th Bomb Wing Judge Advocate chief of military justice. "From an administrative standpoint, an Airman can receive anything from paperwork to getting demoted, which would cause and Airman to lose a stripe and corresponding loss of pay."

Even after a single DUI, an Airman could also be administratively discharged, which would effectively end their career in the Air Force, added Mangels. Such a discharge would likely impact benefits such as the GI Bill.

"We cannot realistically stop all DUIs and alcohol-related incidents from happening, but we can attempt to reduce the number," said Wyrick. "We provide information to our base population to allow those who drink to make responsible choices and provide assistance for those who need treatment."
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