0013 means base, community partnership

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman James Croxon
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
3/17/2006 - GRAND FORKS AFB, N.D. --  Base leaders recently sent letters and flyers to the local community asking for help in promoting a responsible drinking culture in the area. 

In the letter to alcohol vendors, Col. Bill Bender, the 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, suggested a number of practices alcohol establishments could use to help curb alcohol-related accidents. 

“…new, high-tech and creative measures continue to make it difficult to spot fake identification cards when some individuals try to illegally obtain alcohol,” Colonel Bender said in the letter. “I request that alcohol retailers and bars make it their standard practice to ask for two proofs of age before serving or selling alcohol.” 

Other measures suggested include the standardization of container sizes, slowing down or halting service to patrons who have had too much to drink, posting taxi numbers and continuing intervention training for workers. 

In addition to the letters, vendors also received a flyer with information on the base's 0-0-1-3 program. The program provides tangible guidelines for people to use to ensure they are drinking responsibly. 

The first “0” represents zero tolerance for underage drinking. The second “0” represents zero incidents of driving under the influence. The “1” is the maximum number of drinks an average person should drink each hour, with the maximum number of drinks per night not exceeding “3.” 

According to Senior Master Sgt. Harry Walker, the base's 0-0-1-3 focus team leader, “The program is intended to create a sustained change in culture and encourage responsible drinking, while at the same time educating people on the problems excess alcohol use can create for individuals and families.” 

In the letter, Colonel Bender said that the success of any responsible drinking initiative depends on cooperation. 

“Creating a responsible drinking culture is a community endeavor and no agency can do it alone,” he said. “Our success depends upon partnerships between the base, local businesses, law enforcement and state entities. Together we can make a positive difference and create a safer environment by promoting responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages.”