In peacetime – and even sometimes during military action – motor vehicle are the leading cause of death to enlisted personnel in the military. Every branch of the United States Armed Forces has a substan-tial alcohol and substance abuse prevention program. Since a significant majority of enlisted men and women fall into the age range of 21- to 34-years old – a high-risk category of drivers – it has long been a goal of 3D Prevention Month to get 3D activities on every military installation.
Military bases also strive to be good neighbors in the communities in which they are based. Any Safe Communities program or 3D coalition should reach out to military installations in their area and include them in planning and activities during 3D Prevention Month.
Here are some ideas that can be used by military facilities in the U.S. and around the world:
- Use 3D Prevention Month to enforce the military’s "zero tolerance policy."
- Develop a competition between units to reduce alcohol-related traffic violations and crashes. Reward units that reach certain milestones (six months, one year, etc.) and recognize them at base events.
- Use e-mail, bulletin boards, displays, signs and other communications channels to send messages about 3D Prevention Month efforts and encourage participation in events both on and off the base.
- Enlist Military Police to participate in any multi-agency law enforcement efforts, including sobriety checkpoints.
- Sponsor or support local "safe ride home" programs.
- Develop 3D talking points for the installation or base Commander and public affairs officers who might have the opportunity to talk with the media.
- Contribute a military vehicle to any local "Lights On For Life" Day parades or displays.
- Contribute guest editorials or columns to local newspapers on the installation’s efforts to reduce impaired driving and to contribute to community efforts.
- Hold 3D Prevention Month events at on-base schools, clubs and exchanges.
- Invite speakers from the community to participate in public information and education efforts.
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ALCOHOL RESPONSIBILITY ON BASE... AND OFF
When December rolls around, the Fort Dix Counseling Center wields a lot of power on this Army base in central New Jersey. Jeanne Glogowski, Alcohol/Drug Control Officer for the base, must give her approval for any military or civilian contractor party held on or off base. She assigns personal responsibility for alcohol use at the function to the officer requesting permission, including providing alternative transportation for impaired attendees and upholding the state’s minimum drinking age. The responsibility is such that some officers eventually decide not to include alcohol at the function. Why such strict rules? Alcohol is a part of most military social functions and younger soldiers may want to emulate their officers and older comrades-in-arms, even though they may be under the national drinking age of 21. Glogowski believes that without this kind of intervention, the Fort Dix community might not think as seriously about impaired driving issues. The base also sends all military managers and civilian supervisors to federal drug-free work-place training where they learn to detect alcohol abuse. Thanks in part to the program, many military personnel who have been able to hide alcoholism for years are now getting the treatment they need. The Counseling Center tries not to make the program punitive, but focuses on education and protecting the soldiers, their families and the entire community. They want the military population, as well as the civilians who use the county roads that run though the base, to "watch out for the drunk drivers, and take care of your friends and family." For additional information, contact:
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