DUI Prevention Team in full throttle Published Sept. 18, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Kristoffer Kaubisch Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- This is the first story in a 3-part series focusing on DUI prevention initiatives at Minot Air Force Base Despite numerous measures by Air Force leadership, drinking and driving continues to be a problem throughout the military. Likewise, witnessing friends and peers losing their careers has done little to deter drunk driving. To compound matters, North Dakota has enacted one of the most severe punishments for individuals caught driving under the influence. The state implemented a new DUI law, July 1, presenting harsher penalties for those convicted of the crime, which includes mandatory jail time. In an effort to raise awareness and combat impaired driving, Minot Air Force Base leadership established a DUI prevention team comprised of members from organizations throughout the base and local community. The DUI prevention team includes members of the 5th Security Forces Squadron law enforcement section, 5th Medical Group Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment representatives, Staff Judge Advocate, along with local law enforcement officers. The team came together to educate the base populous on the new anti-DUI legislation. This initiative first began when Investigator Scott McNeil, 5th SFS drug recognition expert, sought the need to involve various organizations to provide enhanced education by bringing experts from specific fields that involve drug and alcohol abuse. "We started this effort approximately four months ago," said McNeil. "We've already reached an estimated 3,000 individuals on the installation with our campaign efforts." To raise awareness, the team comes together and coordinates briefings with squadron leadership to educate Airmen and answer questions they may have on drinking and driving. Although their message targets mainly younger Airmen on the installation, their goal is to educate the entire base community. At these briefings, nearly all members of the prevention team are present, including the N.D. State Highway Patrol, Ward County Sheriff's Office, and the Minot Police Department. One method used during the team's presentation involves taking volunteers and running them through a "wet lab," said McNeil. The process involves a controlled environment where select volunteers consume alcohol while an audience observes the adverse effects, such as the lack of motor skills, diminished attention and impaired judgment. "We will conduct our standardized field sobriety tests to the audience," said McNeil. "This is so they can see exactly what we're looking for on the roadside for an impaired driver." Through the briefings and demonstrations, the team provides realistic scenarios to prompt open discussion about DUIs to Airmen in a unique and different way, said McNeil. The briefings are an important step for the agencies involved to work with individuals and units to combat DUIs. "We focus on what our product is," said McNeil. "That's education through responsible drinking and enforcement efforts." Squadrons and units interested in scheduling a briefing with the DUI Prevention Team can contact the 5th SFS Investigations Office at 723-4603.