RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The sobering consequences of driving under the influence will be demonstrated today at the Randolph Base Exchange - without a drop of alcohol.
Members of the 902nd Security Forces Squadron will administer field sobriety exercises to willing participants while they're "under the influence." They'll be wearing impairment goggles, a tool used to show the powerful effects of alcohol and why drinking and driving don't mix.
The "drunk" goggles demonstration, an Alcohol Awareness Month activity of Randolph's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program, will be presented at the ADAPT booth from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the BX.
"People don't realize how alcohol affects them until it's too late," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Hornberger, 359th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Flight chief. "This demonstration will make people aware of the effect alcohol has on the body and on coordination. It will be similar to a real field sobriety test."
Staff Sgt. Marcus Bernard, 902nd SFS NCO in charge of police services, said the demonstration will reflect the exercises used when a driver is suspected of DUI.
"As security forces members, we are trained to identify signs of a possible DWI/DUI, and part of the detection process is conducting pre-exit, exit and field sobriety tests to measure a subject's ability to handle both physical and mental tasks simultaneously," he said. "If the decision to instruct the driver to exit is made - the subject is usually not yet under arrest and the officer is still not committed to an arrest - we administer FSTs."
Sergeant Bernard said the exercises consist of the one-leg stand, walk and turn, and horizontal gaze nystagmus FST.
"Nystagmus means the involuntary jerking of the eyes," he said. "In addition to being involuntary, the jerking is also unconscious. The person experiencing the nystagmus is ordinarily unaware that the jerking is happening and is powerless to stop or control it. Alcohol doesn't cause nystagmus; it merely exaggerates or magnifies it."
Sergeant Bernard said FSTs "are often administered outside the vehicle in the form of the more structured formal field sobriety tests. However, they can also be given while the driver is still inside the vehicle."
ADAPT personnel will also be on hand at the booth to distribute educational materials and talk to people about alcoholism and alcohol abuse, including binge drinking.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, binge drinking is defined as "consuming four or more drinks per occasion for women and five or more drinks per occasion for men."
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism considers up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people a moderate, or safe, level of drinking. One drink equals a 12-ounce bottle of beer, one five-ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Sergeant Hornberger said binge drinking is dangerous because it can result in impaired judgment/decision making and coordination. Additionally, binge drinking may lead to liver damage, alcohol poisoning, increased risk taking and even death.
"There are also variables that affect people when they're drinking - lack of sleep, stress, drinking on an empty stomach, dehydration and taking medication," Sergeant Hornberger said.
He said drinking may decrease the effectiveness of some medicine including
some antibiotics. Additionally, some medications can make you drowsy; consuming alcohol with these types of medicine may dangerously intensify the effects, leading to increased risks of injury or possibly death.
Mixing alcohol with caffeine products such as energy drinks is a new craze that is also dangerous, Sergeant Hornberger said.
"When you mix caffeine with alcohol, you don't notice the effects as much," he said. "But you will still have impaired judgment."
The sedation effect of alcohol serves as a cue to stop drinking, but the caffeine negates that effect, making a person feel more alert and more inclined to continue drinking.
Sergeant Hornberger also said a cup of coffee after a night of drinking doesn't help people sober up.
"The only thing that can help people sober up is time," he said. "Caffeine doesn't help."
Another ill effect of caffeine is that it is a diuretic, leading to more dehydration.
Sergeant Hornberger said there are a variety of services available for Airmen to tackle alcohol problems and to educate them about the perils of alcohol use. The service's Culture of Responsible Choices emphasizes responsible behaviors.
"It's important to know how alcohol affects you before you put yourself in a dangerous situation," he said. "Take responsible measures if you're going out to drink, such as having a designated driver. If you host a party, assure that people have a designated driver and that you will supply food and non-alcoholic beverages."