Call DAADD

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  

It’s Friday night and you’re out with your friends having a few drinks. The next thing you know, you’ve consumed eight beers, three mixed drinks, and half of a hard cider. You’re so drunk that you’d probably fall off of a balcony. So why would you think driving a vehicle is a good idea?

 

If you have had a little too much to drink and need to get home, do not get behind that wheel. All Team Dover Airmen have a safe and free option in the Dover Airmen Against Drunk Driving program.

 

“Dover's Airmen Against Drunk Driving program is a phenomenal Airmen-run program that keeps our most valuable resource safe, our Airmen,” said Chief Master Sgt. Sarah Sparks, 436th Airlift Wing command chief. “Our dedicated DAADD volunteers make this program a success.”

 

The service is free, anonymous and will get you home safe and sound.

 

“When your plan falls through, or you find yourself without your Wingmen, the DAADD program is there for you,” said Sparks. “When you realize the impact a DUI can have on your career, your wallet, your driving privileges or a life, there should be no question about the choice you should make. With this great resource available, there's no excuse.”

 

To utilize DAADD, call (308) 677-6000 on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. The program also runs on the nights of some holidays or major events, such as Independence Day and the Super Bowl.

 

DAADD would not be a success without its dedicated volunteers.

 

“DAADD is a free program,” said Staff Sgt. Thomas Nuckols, 436th Medical Support Squadron diagnostic imaging. “It is run by our fellow Airmen for our fellow Airmen.”

 

Around base, every unit has a DAADD representative who is responsible for facilitating volunteers and getting the word out about the program. Nuckols represents the 436th Medical Group.

 

“As of today, I have facilitated more than 400 hours for the medical group,” said Nuckols. “The true nature of our Airmen is to help one another. From my three years here I've noticed how fully we embrace this wingman concept at Dover. So it's always sad when you hear about any DUI charges involving our Airmen, when knowing how many of us are available, every weekend.”

 

Since Jan. 1, 2016, 792 Team Dover Airmen have volunteered 3,960 hours toward the DAADD program, helping save 95 lives. But more can always be done. One DUI is one too many for Team Dover.

 

“Just because someone uses DAADD doesn't mean they are incompetent or irresponsible,” said Nuckols. “People use DAADD because they are mature enough to make a rational and reasonable choice; the choice to save a life, a family or a career. The choice to keep our roads safe. Even if you have had just one drink, or drank and feel like you can make it home, play it safe and don't.”

 

Drinking and driving not only puts your career at risk, it puts your life and the lives of other motorists at risk.

 

“Have a plan,” Nuckols said. “But if your plan falls through, don't drink and drive. Call DAADD, because one DUI is one too many, and we are all here for each other.”