Army CO launches anti drink-drive campaign for Waiouru

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 366, 11 December 1990, Page 3

Army CO launches anti drink-drive campaign for Waiouru

The Commander of Waiouru Camp, Colonel Phil Maguire, has released a letter to all military personnel regarding the use and abuse of alcohol. He said as with every community, alcohol related problems become much more prevalent around Christmas time in Waiouru. The Colonel reminded personnel that alcohol abuse "leads to alcoholrelated offences, health problems, domestic and work difficulties, and the carnage on our roads." Hut water Tongariro National Park management are considering the possibility of providing filtered water supplies to huts in the park and other parts of the Tongariro/Taupo conservancy.

In the letter he also stated that "with the onset of the festive season there will be a tendancy for units and individuals to attend a greater number of functions where liquor is served. As a respgctable element of society, we have a responsibility not only to other elements of society but also to ourselves in terms of the manner that we handle such functions." The Colonel has set out a list of five criteria to be met by units, clubs and messes holding functions. • Non-alcoholic drinks must be available. • Food must be served. • No individual can be ordered to drink alcohol and no-one is to be pressured by either their peers or a superior of-

ficer to drink alcohol. • Personnel in charge are not to sell alcohol so cheaply that it encourages greater consumption. • Personnel in charge are to properly police functions and are to take appropriate action regarding the level of alcohol consumption by individuals. As well as these measures, the MoT will carry out random breathalyser tests in the camp and housing area, and the Military Police and Camp Duties will stop personnel suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. "The problem in the long term can only be overcome by education and a change in society's attitudes," said the Colonel, "but the Service has a responsibility to ensure that we look after the welfare of our personnel. Sometimes this means that we have to undertake preventative measures to protect personnel against themselves."