From the Times Picayune: (Letter to the Editor)

Avoid tragedy of holiday DWI

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

We are amidst the holiday season, when office gatherings and parties with friends and families are plentiful. We must remember that while we enjoy these events, the tragic results of drunken driving are completely preventable.

Following some simple guidelines can help keep you, your loved ones and others on the road safe.

Always choose a designated driver in advance of the party. Remember to eat before drinking and during the gathering. Consciously set a responsible drinking limit in advance. Space out your drinks. Sip slowly, wait an hour after you finish your drink to have another.

Remember that driving drunk is against the law and that it does't take much to reach the legal limit of .08. If you have two drinks back to back, you are already past the legal limit.

Remember that above all, we should be responsible for ourselves and to each other.

Anne M. Byrne

Executive Director

Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse

New Orleans

---

CADA on the Spud McConnell Show on WWL Radio:  AM870 & FM105.3

CADA’s Executive Director (Anne Byrne), Clinical Director (Robyn Dewhirst), and Director of Prevention Education (Carolyn Freeman) join John “Spud” McConnel on his show on December 1, 2008 to talk about holiday drinking, driving, and depression.  Click here to hear the podcast:

http://www.wwl.com/pages/1050632.php?

---