Barksdale’s AADD makes improvements

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Allison M. Boehm
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale's Airman Against Drunk Driving program always provided a reliable alternative to drinking and driving, but with recent improvements, they are saving even more lives and careers.

To combat the possibility of Airmen making the mistake of drinking and driving, Barksdale's AADD organization made vast enhancements, and according to AADD president, Senior Airman Jennifer Coffin, "the program is stronger and better than ever."

Past problems of insufficient publicity and lack of volunteers were improved upon, and the program's purpose and message of its service is now publicized throughout the 2nd Bomb Wing.

"The AADD program is undoubtedly more effective," said Airman Coffin. "The organization has gone to great lengths to ensure several measures were met that will improve the AADD mission."

The council worked with 2 BW Safety Office to release AADD phone number cards to every squadron. These wallet size business cards contain vital numbers Airmen can utilize should their plan to make it home falls through. Also, the AADD phone number was changed from 318-456-0013 to 318-456-AADD (2233) in an effort to provide a more memorable contact number, and a bank account was opened to help pay for gas cards for volunteer drivers in the near future.

According to AADD vice president, Airman 1st Class Madelyn Landwehr, before the program improvement, AADD averaged one to two calls per weekend and a total of 20 saves were recorded from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, 2010. However, in the last quarter of 2010, AADD logged 89 additional saves, an 88-percent increase in a third of the time.

AADD now averages approximately five calls per weekend, an increase that according to Airman Coffin is a result of the AADD council's efforts.

"The recent changes have been beneficial to the AADD program," said Master Sgt. Merrill Burrows, AADD adviser. "With the change in phone number, the high publicity, and the leadership involvement, AADD's presence on Barksdale is recognized and more importantly, utilized when necessary. This is a huge achievement."

Still, the council wants every Airman on base to know the purpose and existence of the AADD service and have no reservations in making the decision to call 456-AADD (2233).