Laughlin BAADD program offers back-up plan to airmen

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Patrick O'Neill
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  It's 1:30 a.m., on a Saturday night and you are in downtown Del Rio when you slowly realize that every sober person at your friend's party has already left, leaving you behind. How do you get home to Laughlin, when driving under the influence may ruin your career?

Luckily, Laughlin offers a program to get people home safely without any repercussion Monday morning.

Base Airmen Against Drunk Driving is a volunteer organization that assists fellow Airmen, both enlisted and officer, and their family members who may be too intoxicated to sit behind the wheel themselves. The goal of the BAADD program is to minimize alcohol related incidents by offering eligible members a back-up when previous plans fall through.

The BAADD phone line is open Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. These hours are adjusted accordingly for long weekends.

Laughlin has offered this free program for the past five years to save Airmen's lives and careers.

BAADD owes its success to the anonymity it offers Airmen. When a member calls, a volunteer will pick them up without asking their name, rank or squadron.

If you are able to benefit from the program, you are also eligible to volunteer. The only two participation requirements are to read and understand the rules and waiver, and to be 100 percent sober when on duty.

Questions about volunteering may be directed to either Capt. Travis Patterson, 86th Flying Training Squadron, at (830) 298-4212 or Staff Sgt. Russen Garivay, 47th Operations Support Squadron, at (830) 298-5105.

So if you ever find yourself over the limit with few options, call the BAADD phone line at (830) 298-HOME (4663). Remember, a simple phone call when all else fails can save your career, your life and the lives of your family or fellow Airmen.