A2D2 seeks to lower DUI numbers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rose Gudex
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  "I've lost friends to drinking and driving. One of my best friends was out on his motorcycle and got hit by a drunk driver. He didn't have a chance - I lost my friend that day. I just do my part to try and save that from happening to someone else."

Staff Sgt. Jefrey Davis, 4th Space Operations Squadron mobile maintenance supervisor and Front Range Airmen Against Drunk Driving president, has a personal connection to drunken driving, so he volunteers his time to Airmen Against Drunk Driving in an attempt to get the driving under the influence numbers down to zero.

Airmen Against Drunk Driving, commonly known as A2D2 here, is an Airmen-run organization formed at Schriever AFB in 2012 that assists military members, their family members and civilian employees who have been drinking and need a ride to get home safely.

"We serve the entire Front Range area, including Schriever, Peterson and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. Our driving range is within the Colorado Springs, Falcon, Fountain and Manitou Springs city limits," Davis said. "We shouldn't be your only plan. We are a last resort."

Hours of operation for A2D2 are from 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights as well as the nights prior to holidays and family days. To obtain a ride, simply call 552-AADD (2233) and tell them your first name, location, number of people in the party and how to be recognized.

"You can also get A2D2 support for private events," Davis explained. "Contact any one of our officers through the group (organization) box - airmenagainst.dd@us.af.mil - or talk to your unit representative."

A common belief among Airmen is that if you call for A2D2 assistance, there will be repercussions based on location, age or other reasons. A2D2 does not condone underage drinking; however, they do not ask your age. Their primary goal is to get anyone under the influence home safely and without incident.

"This is a great organization because it isn't restricted to a squadron or base," Davis said. "We help and serve three bases by providing them life-saving and career-saving rides home."

Recently the A2D2 board elected new officers to serve the Front Range community and get the word out about the opportunities available. The new team consists of: Davis, president; Senior Airman Sven Martinez, vice president; Airman 1st Class Rose Gudex, secretary; Airman Aliyah Yates, vice secretary; Airman 1st Class Mickey Szabat, treasurer; Airman 1st Class Steve Evans, vice treasurer and Master Sgt. Jason Worcester, senior NCO advisor.

Having just taken over Dec. 8, the group is working to make the organization even better for those using the program and those volunteering.

"The previous leadership set us up with some great opportunities," Davis said. "One thing we want to provide is gifts and prizes for a volunteer incentive program to encourage frequent volunteers - from coins and hoodies to gas cards."

Interested volunteers should contact their unit representatives or just show up to the Eclipse Café at 10 p.m. on a night the service is available.

Whether you're in it for the prizes, a good performance report bullet or you genuinely want to prevent people from driving under the influence, each volunteer keeps another drunk driver off the road and potentially saves lives.

For more information on A2D2 or how to volunteer, contact any one of the board members or email airmenagainst.dd@us.af.mil.

 

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