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Show HILL TOP TIMES Friday, February 3, 1984 editorials Alcohol at work Employee ' s pro bl em ceaim become Air Force's Break time ...maybe you'll run out k to the car and have a beer from the you bought before coming to work. The beer is just what you need to get you through until mealtime. You watch the clock .tr it's 7 p.m., almost mealtime, so you'll leave early and avoid the rush. You decide to "eat" in your car, but you notice that k the is gone.- - You can go off base and get another; if you hurry there will be time and besides, Joe will understand if you get back a little late. You're driving back to work, it's 8 p.m.; you 've had a couple of beers from k the you bought at the Quick Stop store. One of them is half empty on the seat beside you. By Jerry Piesik six-pac- Civilian Personnel What happens when an employee's problem becomes the Air Force's problem? Generally, the results are not good. The following thoughtful comments could be about a person you know because this kind of problem happens all too frequently. You had a hard time at home; it seemed like there were problems everywhere. On your way to work, you decide to stop and have a few beers to help you prepare for the long hours on swing shift. The beers make you feel better, you think. Suddenly, you notice it is already 3:30; you will be late to work, but why worry, your boss, Joe, will understand He never said much when you were late before. At 3:47 p.m., you punch in, only 17 minutes kite. Joe sees you and asks you to come to his office. six-pac- six-pac- Flashing red lights Suddenly, there is a flashing red light in your rearview mirror and a policeman is waving you to pullover. You can't understand why you're on the base, driving slowly, no problems: . The officer asks you to get out of the car and perform some silly tests. Silly who in the world can touch the tip of their nose in the dark right? Why is he advising you ofyour rights, you think. Why do they want you to go in the police car? These young kids today don 't know what they're doing, you say to yourself. A breathalyzer? Blow into that? You offer the excuse, "Joe, sorry Vm late ... it won't happen again!" The boss listens, then tells you he'll let it go this time, but he cautions that your being late is happening too much. Joe even asks you if you feel all right because he doesn't think you look very well You assure him it is just the flu and some medication that you've been taking. You 're Just one small drink You proceed to your work area, but it's hard to get started. You not drunk; you just had a cou- ple of beers for lunch. What do they mean, 18 percent alcohol content? Why are they issuing you a ticket for DUI and an open container? That's ridiculous! Why, you only had a couple of beers! What are they doing now, calling Joe? He's your boss, but you don't needjiim to come down here to the police station. At 9:30, Joe comes in. He seems a little distant; guess he's also dis start to roam around the shop to see what everyone else is doing. Your friend down the hall says he has a bottle and wonders if you want a drink. You say, "Sure but just a small one. " Twenty minutes later you decide it is time to go back to your work area. Boy, it's been a long night! gusted by all this misunderstanding. You'll just tell Joe you're ready to go back to work and you will straighten the whole thing out tomorrow. What, why is Joe calling your home? "Don 't tell my wife, she '11 never understand Joe, I'm your best worker, don't be so picky!" you shout Joe just doesn't understand. "What I I do you mean was A WOL? just left work a few minutes early. Discipline? Suspension? You can 't do that; I earn my money," you try to tell him, but he won't listen. You think to yourself that you should go to see someone about this harassment. Here you're going to lose money with a suspension and you still have to go to court. Maybe you should call and find out about the court. What will be involved a fine, possible jail sentence, loss of driver's license, restricted from driving on base? All that for just having a couple of beers Alcohol was ranked third, behind automobiles and cigarette, in the top 10 most hazardous consumer products ranked by the Consumer Federation of America recently. V--Y- Alcohol and other products were rated by two factors: the number of injuries or potential injuries linked to their use and the seriousness of the injuries. CFA has this to say about alcohol' "Thirteen million Americans abuse or are addicted to alcohol This abuse is a major cause of tens of thousands of deaths and millions of injuries occur- y ring in accidents involving automobiles, boats and weapons. Moreover, heavy drinking is as important a cause of disease as is cigarette smoking. "Medical researchers have directly linked heavy consumption of alcohol to heart disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver and to cancer of the mouth, esophagus, larynx, liver and other organs. Even small amounts during pregnancy can be detrimental. Women who drink two standard drinks per day during pregnancy often give birth to smaller children, while significant increases in spontaneous abortions were noted in women who drank as little V ;; . f significant. Medical bills, time missed from work, Published by MorMedia Sales, 1 1 52 West River- Utah 84405, telephone cime! 394-965- 5. N Deadlines: Editorial, 4 p.m. Monday before publication date; Announcements for "Where the Action Is," 0 a.m. Monday before publication date; Classified ads, 5 p.m. Wednesday before publication date. 1 Articles mav be turnprt in at (Wm be so lucky. Maybe Joe won 't be there, your wife might not be there, and the job won't be there waiting for you. For your own protection, stop and think before you have just a "few beers for lunch. " You don't need this kind ofproblem, and neither does the Air Force. "i I property damage and other associated costs of alcohol abuse totaled an estimated $100 billion in 1982 in the U.S. Only heart and vascular disease exceeded alcohol abuse in total economic costs. In addition, alcohol is a major factor in crime: 86 percent of homicide cases involve alcohol, 79 percent of assaults, 72 percent of robberies, 50 percent of rapes and 50 percent of auto accidents. " These are statistics from which HillAFB military and civilian employees are not exempt It's time to evaluate the implications made by these facts and establish the scope of the problem. It's time to get involved and take action. A passive concern includes professional enabling of a disease that kills, both physically and psychologically, c The Social Actions Office can provide assistance to troubled employees and concerned supervisors at all levels. If we as an Air Force family care, then it's time to show it. Don't wait until it's too late. Call Ext 73407 or 73516. no kill YOU! what Social Actions has to say. Maybe they will understand ' Unfortunately, this is not just a Story. This kind of incident has happened right here on this base and similar incidents will probably continue to happen. This is a sad story because it reflects the haphazard kind of thinking that can get you into trouble. This time, you got a second chance. Maybe next time, you won't " ? , dale Road, Ogden, can Oh, oh! Here comes Joe. Wonder what he wants now. Why are they taking away some of your duties? "So, okay, I: work in a sensitive area, but I don't have a drinking problem. I need a clearance to do my job. I need he doesn 't my job, " you tell him But listen to you. What a day someone has to understand Maybe you'll listen to as two drinks twice a week. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can also cause physical and men-- ; tal birth defects. "The economic costs of alcohol abuse are also ' Mixing them at lunch ? It can 't be happening to me. raonkoini jfiDrD Booze hits third on hazardous list, over 13 million abuse, addicted By Barry Hildebrandt Social Actions Of. course, the wife doesn't understand She cries and doesn't have anything to say to you. The next day you come in a little early to apologize to Joe, but he isnt the same friendly, understanding Joe. You sit down and Joe tells you straight that he is making a mandatory referral to Social Actions. He also won't let youjuoork until you go through the dispensary to ensure that you are physically capable of working. fj V1 I fli life nl4 IJy i I s? i 1 -- ?i st I ' s - 5lip$ and falls have increased around the base drastically since the first snowfall this winter. Custodians of buildings are reminded that they have the responsibility to maintain sidewalks, walkways, stairs and removal of icicles from , . buildings. . nn between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Hill Top Times receives Air Force News Ser- vice (AFNS), AF Logistics Command News Service (LOGNEWS), Tactical Air Command News Service (TACNS), and American Forces Press Service (AFPS). , Everything advertisina in the urn Trn nm m.,e be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to the race. creed, color, national origin or sex of the purchaser, user or patron. 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