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Last week, I held a very energetic all-hands call for Naval Submarine Base New London military and civilian personnel to personally address the topic of responsible alcohol consumption and preventing Driving Under the Influence (DUI) incidents.
The call saw plenty of exchange, some quite emotional. I appreciate the great input and feedback from all hands both during and following it.
From the call, it was clear that continued education and active engagement, from leadership to the deck-plate, are essential in communicating the hazards and consequences of irresponsible drinking, as well as articulating means to make responsible decisions.
To that end, as outlined in the story on Page 1, our base community is seeking to establish a Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) Chapter.
Equally clear, however, is the need for aggressive enforcement of standards ... we will continue to do just that.
Awareness and action are key. That's why programs such as CSADD and "0-0-1-3" are important.
"0-0-1-3"started at F.E. Warren Air Force Base and is a science-based program which correlates to: zero (0) underage drinking, zero (0) DUIs, one (1) drink per hour, and three (3) drinks maximum per night. "0-0" restates the obvious legal standards associated with underage drinking and DUI. "1-3" reflects the average body's ability to metabolize alcohol while maintaining alcohol consumption below generally acknowledged binge-drinking levels and a Blood-Alcohol Content (BAC) below legal limits.
Of course, BAC varies significantly based on many factors including body type, weight, sex and health, as well as the quantity, alcohol content and time over which the beverages are consumed.
But overall, "0-0-1-3" is a sensible approach to responsible drinking that has proven successful.
So, as you look again at the week's front page Dolphin photo, remember, DUI is not a victimless crime.
Driving under the influence is illegal, it impacts mission performance, and has severe ... if not tragic ... consequences."
