D-M kicks off responsible choices campaign with comedy show

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  • By 082407
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. --  The base will be kicking off a new campaign Monday aimed at promoting responsible choices in an effort to reduce underage drinking among Airmen with two shows by comedian Bernie McGrenahan for D-M Airmen ages 18 to 25 at the base theater at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. 

The shows will begin with a 30-minute comedy act followed by a 30-minute inspirational message, during which McGrenahan shares tips on making responsible choices. 

Davis-Monthan is partnering with local Tucson coalitions as part of a recent Enforcement of Underage Drinking Laws grant from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety. This federal grant, which is being conducted in Arizona, Montana, California, and Hawaii, is a joint effort of the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Department of the Air Force, and the National Institutes of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse. 

The grant program, coordinated at D-M and Luke AFB in Phoenix by the Pima Prevention Partnership, focuses on reducing the availability and consumption of alcoholic beverages by underage service personnel through the support, development, and implementation of comprehensive plans to change base and community policies that support high-risk drinking, to develop alternative social activities, and to involve all affected community groups on and off the base in a collaborative effort to reduce youth access to alcohol. 

The Davis-Monthan Culture of Responsible Choices Committee is sponsoring Mr. McGrenahan's visit as part of an educational and awareness campaign promoting responsible decision-making among Airmen. Mr. McGrenahan, a former addict, addresses the primary substance-abuse problem on college campuses today - high-risk drinking - and delivers a motivating, uplifting and emotional message not only to students and young Airmen, but also to individuals of the community. 

The Governor's Office of Highway Safety, the Pima County Commission on Addiction Prevention and Treatment, the Pima County Task Force to Reduce Underage Drinking, UA Police Department, Tucson Police Department, as well as members of the Tucson City Council and Pima County Board of Supervisors, will be in attendance. 

The D-M CoRC is part of an Air Force-wide initiative to foster responsible decision-making. Pima Prevention Partnership is a nationally recognized non-profit agency based in Tucson, Arizona. Since 1991, PPP has worked to foster conditions for positive community development by providing a range of services to individuals, community groups, agencies and state and local institutions.