DADD continues to lower DWI rates

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Charles V. Rivezzo
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  For the last three months, the Dyess Against Drunk Driving program has continued to assist Team Dyess by providing safe and reliable rides for more than 100 Airmen.

DADD encourages Airmen who are out having drinks to call when a change in plans leaves them without a designated driver.

With the completion of the program's initial phase earlier this month, they will be transitioning into tasking each group to sponsor the program for a month.

"DADD has been smooth-sailing since it started, but the groups are helping to make an even bigger difference," said Airman 1st Class Corey Schuler, DADD chairman. "The Mission Support Group took on the first month and sponsored the program with a surplus of volunteers, helping us reach our next milestone, which was 100 plus saves in the three months we've been active."

"Our program works because everyone on base, and I do mean everyone, is now involved," said Airman 1st Class Toni Montoya, DADD co-chairman. "We have thoroughly received help, donations and publicity from so many people and organizations to make this program a successful Dyess community program."

Montoya added that the program's success can also be attributed to the support received from the local Abilene community.

"I could go as far as saying that this is now an Abilene effort to get drunk driving down to a zero, solely from all the support the DADD program is receiving from outside the gates of Dyess," Montoya said.

According to Maj. Patrick Bass, 7th Security Forces Squadron commander, there were 11 DWI's from Jan. 1 thru May 24. Since DADD kicked off, there have only been two cases.

"I think we've hit the mark on getting the word out, and I think the DADD program has made fantastic progress in getting the number of DWI's down since its start," said Bass. "Basically, the trend is going down."

"We strive to be the best wingman someone can have during our operating hours, but the key to maintaining DADD's success and pushing that DWI rate down to zero is to really hammer the importance of safety on long weekends and throughout the regular week," Schuler said. "It's the responsibility of individuals going out to have a plan, regardless of when and where they're going. DADD will do what it can to help out, but it truly is up to each and every Team Dyess Airman to make the right choices."

DADD can be contacted by calling (325) 696-DADD (3233) and will be available 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, as well as any additional days per the 7th Bomb Wing Commander.