LAKE COUNTY ? Team DUI recently extended a wealth of gratitude to California Highway Patrol Clear Lake area Officer Adam Garcia for his dedication and commitment to the organization. Garcia was recently reassigned within his department, which has eliminated his availability for participation in the organization.
Team DUI founder Judy Thein presented Officer Garcia with an appreciation award on March 6. Garcia had been instrumental in the organization since Aug. 2007.
“Officer Adam Garcia has become an integral part of the strength behind Team DUI. His creative ideas towards our direction of educational prevention have received favorable responsiveness from our youth,” Thein said. “Team DUI recognizes the tenacious efforts of Officer Adam Garcia for his commitment and devotion to reduce alcohol-related crashes and fatalities and wellbeing of all youth and citizens throughout Lake County.”
Team DUI is committed to reducing the DUI-fatality rate in Lake County with its primary focus aimed at underage drinking prevention. According to Thein, Officer Garcia has been a stellar role model and mentor for the youth of the community.
“Officer Adam Garcia has been bestowed with a special gift to be able to connect with our youth from all walks of life. His one-on-one interaction with our youth is a powerful resource, which has better prepared our youth to learn how to make healthier choices throughout their lives,” she said. “His compassion and caring is derived from within his heart. He has made a major difference in the lives of our youth in Lake County. He has abundantly demonstrated that when it comes to the welfare of our youth, no sacrifice of his time is too great.”
Officer Garcia said he very much enjoyed his participation in the group and witnessing its growth. He said the response and comments received from students, teachers and parents reassured him that Team DUI is making a difference in the lives of local youth.
“It was very rewarding to be a part of Team DUI and watch it evolve from just a couple of people getting together to what it is now,” Officer Garcia said. “Just from the few comments that I”ve gotten, even from the teachers, I think at least the majority of the information is sinking in. It”s definitely worth it if we prevent one bad thing from happening in the future.”
Team DUI consists of a panel of local political, governmental, education, law enforcement and resource leaders as well as victims of DUI-related collisions. A shared desire to reduce the injury and fatality rates attributed to driving under the influence has united this group in the good fight against drinking and driving.
Since its inception, the team has been instrumental in establishing underage drinking ordinances in the county as well as the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport. The team has been recognized with several awards including a Lake County Stars Award, Friday Night Live Partnership”s Super Star Adult Ally Award and County Alcohol & Drug Program Administrators Association of California”s Superstars Award for Prevention. Thein recently reported that the team is expected to receive another award in the coming weeks from Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
