Critical Days of Summer Week 2: Thinking Before Drinking Published May 29, 2012 By Tech. Sgt. James Fountain 17th Training Wing Safety GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Critical Days of Summer have arrived. So has the beautiful weather to go out and enjoy! Each week the 17th Training Wing Safety office will be sending out information to educate and inform all base personnel in specific areas. Although each week will be focused on one topic, the Goodfellow Safety office Community of Practice (COP) has a lot of information for each week during this critical time period. It is probably not a wonder as to why this campaign would have one week's focus on alcohol responsibility. From doing a task the first time to something done consistently for years, thinking through it and working around risks is possible. But when alcohol is added, the outcome could turn into something altogether different. Among people 44 years old and under, alcohol-related injuries is the second-leading cause of death. Where did their plan go wrong? Alcohol affects everyone in different ways, depending on mood, personality, physical condition and the people you are around. When one is recovering from a cold or having too little sleep, the effects are magnified. If you're worried about your personal life, drinking will only compound the feelings of anxiety and possibly lead to aggressive or hostile behavior. Socially, a few drinks with a friend could make you feel more intoxicated than a few drinks around the family. People often plan their Friday nights, but fail to consider the "what if's". Take the time to consider the activities, ride home, and possible consequences of actions in a given scenario. Fun times cannot be relayed, nor the stories be told if the people involved are not around to share them. Add all this up and understand that military personnel between ages 21 and 25 consume more alcohol than any other age group. Look for alternative activities to have fun and keep these things in mind when planning events. The Wing Safety office would like to see you enjoy your summer safely.
