FORT STEWART, Ga. - November is Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, and the Directorate of Emergency Services, Army Substance Abuse Program, Child Youth and School Services, and the Consolidated Public Affairs Office teamed up Nov. 8 to shoot a public service announcement which highlights some of the costs associated with drinking under the influence and the zero tolerance policy.
The PSA, a brain-child of Chris Maurer, a crime analyst with DES, consists of children of Soldiers, the DES Commander, Lt. Col. Frances Fullard along with DES Command Sgt. Major Albert Nelson Jr., military police officers and countless others. The PSA focuses on the child-like decisions that a Soldier might make when drinking and the punishment that can result after a DUI. With the holiday season right around the corner, many say it is timely.
"This PSA is a great tool to show how irresponsible behavior can lead to poor decision making," ASAP Risk Reduction Program Coordinator Shirley Stephens said. "As Soldiers there are plenty of available prevention education, training and treatment services. As a friend you can be a designated driver or just take the keys."
Georgia Southern University junior, Nadine-Tamara Benjamin, volunteers with PAO and enthusiastically helped behind the scenes with the PSA shoot. Benjamin said drunk driving is a childlike behavior and should be avoided.
"It was important for children as well as adults to realize the impact of drunk driving," Benjamin said. "Not only is a drunk drivers life changed, but also can change the life of others."
"Driving under the influence is a year-round problem," Lt. Col. Fullard said. "However, during the holiday season we see an increase in DUIs due to the poor choices people make in drinking and then getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. That decision can cost the life of the driver or the life of an innocent person that could be your spouse, child, or parent."
Lieutenant Colonel Fullard added that as this is a community problem and it takes a partnership between law enforcement and the community to fix it. "Make the right decision. Don't drink and drive and don't let your friends drink and drive," she said.
In keeping with the Marne Pride Pledge, Soldiers take a pledge to make the right decisions when it comes to driving, albeit drunk, drugged or buzzed. The promise every Third Infantry Division and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Garrison Soldiers make not only affects one, it has the potential to affect all. The PSA, which features a special message from Stewart-Hunter Garrison Commander, Col. Kevin Gregory and Command Sgt. Maj. Louis Felicioni, is tentatively scheduled to be released Nov. 19.
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