DADD surpasses more than 200 saves

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Charles V. Rivezzo
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The number one tool on preventing DUIs and alcohol-related incidents at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, achieved a significant milestone over the holiday season, surpassing more than 200 "saves" since the program's inception over last year's Memorial Day weekend.

Dyess Against Drunk Driving, better known as DADD, is a program that encourages Airmen who are out having drinks to call when a change in plans leaves them without a designated driver.

According to Airman 1st Class Corey Schuler, DADD's co-chairman, effective and relentless marketing has been the key to this successful program.

"Word-of-mouth and talking to people face-to-face is what really gets information circulating," Schuler said. "We were able to market DADD to the base on a wing level when we kicked off with the 101 Days of Summer campaign. Since then, we've had a couple minutes at various squadron and group commander's calls and every other month we do a hard marketing push to let folks know they've got a great wingman on standby just for them."

Since its inception, DADD has continued to evolve with new and innovative ways to make the base populace more involved and aware of the program.

"Getting each group involved and having a constant rotation of different volunteers from various shops on base is a key element to DADD," said Airman 1st Class Toni Montoya, DADD chairman. "Well over a 275 people from different shops all over base, including the 317th Airlift Group, have volunteered for DADD and done an outstanding job. Different people experiencing DADD from both perspectives, consumer and volunteer, is a constant reminder to people that it's a safe and effective program."

While surpassing 200 saves was a significant milestone, DADD officials believe that that the real accomplishment is ensuring their fellow wingmen remain safe.

"The 200 save milestone was a kind of private goal for the DADD committee," Montoya said. "For a base this size, that's a very big number, and when you couple that with the overall drop of DUIs since DADD's inception, it's a great feeling. People are making smarter choices and not just saving their own lives in the process, but others' lives as well."

The program will soon begin accepting applications to establish 2013's DADD Committee.

"Just like the groups rotate on a monthly basis, the committee will re-establish itself annually," Schuler said. "New ideas and new insights on how to make it better is what will keep DADD fresh and effective for the Team Dyess community. I believe we've set the program up for success, and as we pass the torch, I'm excited to see what new ideas and ways the next committee will implement to make it better and better."