The TEAM Coalition, Inc. (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management) earned a Certificate of Commendation from the NCADD (National Commission Against Drunk Driving) for its commitment to reduce the incidence of impaired driving. This was the eighteenth year that NCADD honors programs, organizations, and individuals in categories ranging from Legislative Leadership to Law Enforcement. TEAM was nominated in the Education and Prevention category.

Winners by category were:

• Legislative: former Assembly member John C. Gibson and State Senator William L. Gormley from New Jersey for introducing and guiding “John’s Law” through the New Jersey General Assembly. John’s Law requires that the police impound the vehicle operated by the intoxicated driver for up to 12 hours following arrest. This Law was introduced after 22 year old Ensign John Elliot was killed by a drunk driver who was returned to his vehicle a few hours after being arrested for drunk driving.
  
  
• Adjudication: Mecklenburg County DWI Drug Treatment Court and Judge Philip F. Howerton, Jr. in Charlotte, North Carolina for its program designed to introduce DWI defendants to recovery, reduce drunk driving, and improve collaboration among courts, treatment providers, community groups, and the recovering community. The program has a 75% retention rate and a 51% completion rate.
  
  
• Corporate: Liberty Mutual Group, John Conners, Executive Vice President in Boston, Massachusetts for its safety partnership with SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions / Students Against Driving Drunk). Since 1992, the program studies teen behaviors and attitudes on safety issues in order to offer parents solution to deal with teen alcohol and drug use as well as dangerous driving behaviors. Over 1 million students have participated in the teen driving education program that was developed through this partnership.
  
  
• Law Enforcement: Lt. T. William Tower of the Maryland State Police and Secretary Thomas L. English of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. Lt. Tower has spent 27 years establishing, promoting, and supporting law enforcement programs to combat impaired driving. New Mexico’s “Road Predator” Project identifies habitual DWI offenders (3 or more offenses) and investigates liquor establishments to determine their negligence. The program has resulted in hundreds of arrests of repeat offender and the closure of several bars.
  
  
• Education & Prevention: Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence Association, Stephen Erni, Executive Director for the VW Beetle “Safety Bug” that has been custom engineered to demonstrate the loss of control one would experience if operating a motor vehicle while impaired.
  
  
• Youth Initiative: Safe and Healthy Communities “Project Under 21,” Coby McQuay in Norman, Oklahoma for its effort to change community standards and public policies that encourage under 21 drinking.
  
  
• Government Leadership: Colonel James Champagne, Louisiana Highway Safety Office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for his efforts as the Governor’s Representative for Highway Safety to push 20 new laws through state government including 0.08 BAC and the use of sobriety checkpoints.
  
  
• Citizen Activist: Anna Russo of New York for turning the tragedy of losing her daughter and nephew through the actions of an intoxicated driver into a purposeful story that has changed attitudes about the use of alcohol in New York and abroad.
  
  
• Media Awareness: Darlene Gavron Stevens and Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune for their investigative report that uncovered 3,000 previously unreported DUI reckless homicide and felony convictions which led to licenses being revoked and the implementation of an electronic system of reporting in Cook County.
  
  
• State: State of Indiana, Governor Frank O’Bannon for its impaired driving program that includes enforcement, education and legislation. In 2001, Indiana reported 909 fatalities – one of the lowest fatality years on record. As of November 15, 2002, Indiana reported 151 fewer fatalities than recorded during the same time last year.
  
  
• Humanitarian: Dr. James Nichols, NHTSA, retired in Vienna, Virginia for 30 years of service including Director of the Office of Research and Traffic Records, Deputy Director of the Office of Alcohol and State Programs, and the Director of the Office of Occupant Protection.
  
  
• Founder’s Award: Edward O. Fritts, President and CEO National Association of Broadcasters in Washington, DC for his commitment to combating drunk driving throughout his 20 year presidency. $9.9 billion was spent in public service by local broadcasters in 2001. The STAR (Stations Target Alcohol Abuse Reduction) Campaign targets drunk driving and responsibly hosting, and the NAB acts as a clearing house for PSAs, guidebooks, media workshops and support to help radio and TV stations further address alcohol abuse.