DUI Awareness Month: Remember consequences every month Published Dec. 1, 2011 By Senior Airman Natasha Stannard 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- December is Driving Under the Influence Awareness Month, and the alcohol drug abuse prevention and treatment office urges Airmen to consider all the consequences of driving intoxicated. One little slip behind the wheel on the narrow and winding roads here, and a driver could leave the road and hit a dear, bicyclist or another driver. Add alcohol to the mix, and the chances of that happening are much greater. "It's a gamble," said Capt. Kara Taylor, 52nd Medical Group ADAPT program manager. "You're gambling with other people's lives when you drink and drive." Last year, 43 drivers here took that gamble when they got behind the wheel intoxicated. Eight of those drivers did so in December, a month known for inclement weather and hazardous road conditions. Most people never plan to drink and drive; however, once alcohol hits someone's system, things change, Taylor said. "Alcohol impairs judgment," she said. "When your judgment's impaired, you start making poor choices that can jeopardize your career, your life or someone else's life." Before alcohol enters the equation, Airmen usually have a good idea of what's going on and even have a legitimate plan, but one plan isn't enough. "People may only have one plan, and when that plan doesn't work out, they can't think of another positive one because they're intoxicated," Taylor explained. So, they drive themselves. "Almost every person who walks into [the ADAPT office] says they felt fine to drive," Taylor said. "And, they're not lying; they were impaired, so, they did feel fine." They may feel fine at the time, but the repercussions of what could happen when drinking and driving, or receiving a DUI charge never leave them with the same fine feeling, she said. For Airmen, drinking and driving can lead to military disciplinary actions such as written or verbal counseling, being put on a control roster, non-judicial punishment, courts martial, confinement and military discharge. If their case is handled by German authorities they face the German legal system's punishments, which usually include suspended driving privileges and loss of their U.S. Army in Europe driver's license, said Staff Sgt. Michael Sian, 52nd Fighter Wing Legal NCO in charge of military justice. "People planning on making the Air Force their career, especially now, are more likely to get [discharged] if they've had an alcohol-related incident," said Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Orange, 52nd Medical Operations Squadron ADAPT NCO in charge. "In addition they can lose [rank], which of course can affect their pay." Losing rank isn't the only way drinking can affect an Airman's wallet. When people come into ADAPT, counselors show them how much they spend on alcohol. Usually the money spent can equate to the cost of a plane ticket home. In addition to money spent on purchasing drinks, a DUI can cost a staff sergeant approximately $30,000 in one year. These costs can equate to legal charges, accident costs, loss of pay and more, Taylor explained. The costs of driving intoxicated are beyond measure as it affects life, family and career, said Taylor. Those who feel these things could be in jeopardy because of alcohol and need help can call ADAPT, a chaplain or their first sergeant and supervisor.