New program offers redemption, education for DUI offenders

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  With the push to increase awareness of drunk driving, a new program has emerged. This program lets Airmen who have been charged with a DUI speak about their story in front of coworkers.

This is the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program, which leads Airmen troubled by alcohol or drugs down the right path through treatment and education.

"We ask our patients if they are willing to share their story with fellow Airmen so others can learn from their experience," said Tech. Sgt. Bethany Hardin, ADAPT noncommissioned officer in charge. "Hearing about one of your peer's experiences and how they learned from their mistakes creates something meaningful that other Airmen will remember."

One of the Airmen who had to learn from his mistakes this way said he was glad to share his experience.

"Before the program, having a DUI was an overall very negative situation," said Senior Airman Larry Mitchell, 723rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communications navigator specialist. "I felt there was no way to come back from it, but the program made me feel like I can bounce back."

Airman Mitchell had to speak to an audience full of peers, supervisors and commanders. His mission was to inform Airmen of all ranks about the dangers and consequences of drunk driving.

ADAPT is not a punishment, but rather a tool for informing Airmen about the dangers of drinking irresponsibly and using drugs.

"We want to emphasize that receiving care through ADAPT is a not punitive action," Sergeant Hardin said. "It is a service that provides our members the care that they need to stay focused on successfully completing the Air Force mission."

The program is a chance at redemption and to learn from mistakes. For Airman Mitchell, ADAPT was a positive experience.

"At first I was scared to tell everyone my story since a lot of them didn't know it was me who had gotten the DUI," Airman Mitchell said. "But after sharing my experience, I realized it was a positive thing. I got a lot of praise from both my leadership and at other bases.

"People would see me in the community and on base and thank me for what I did," he added.

The impact that Airman Mitchell's story had is something the ADAPT program hopes to continue.

"We hope all Airmen will take to heart the stories they hear and remember these lessons when they are making tough decisions," Sergeant Hardin said. "We want them to use the insight they gained to help them make responsible choices and consider the consequences of their actions beforehand. We also hope it will encourage Airmen to seek the help they need early on, before a problem escalates."

The mission of the ADAPT program is to educate the community as well as help Airmen who are troubled by alcohol or drug problems. Having Airmen with firsthand experience talk to their peers and supervisors about the dangers and consequences of using drugs or drinking irresponsibly is one of the ways they hope to accomplish this.