Drunk/tipsy people in AA meetings-safety?
Member of SMART Recovery
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,722
Originally Posted by PaperDolls 
I don't need a group conscience to make the decision to do the right thing which, in my opinion, is to first attempt to prevent them from driving. If that doesn't work, call the police.
I have a responsibility to do that. Period.
I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I found out that the drunk driver I watched pull away from an AA meeting killed an innocent person or themselves. Something I could have attempted to prevent.
I have a responsibility to do that. Period.
I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I found out that the drunk driver I watched pull away from an AA meeting killed an innocent person or themselves. Something I could have attempted to prevent.
In my view, when we see a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol either driving or about to drive, we have a responsibility as citizens to stop the person or failing that, to call the police. Any notion of what the person might think of us as members of their recovery support group become secondary to the interests of public safety. But even there, it is really a kindness to the impaired person to get them off the street. A DUI is bad, but a conviction for vehicular homicide is a whole lot worse.
Sally1009
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 467
In the UK there is something called a 'Citizen's Arrest'. This means that any member of the general public can intervene in a situation where another person is behaving in such a way that it endangers others. Perhaps there is something similar in other countries.
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Join Date: Mar 2010
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Originally Posted by biravatch65
Well I hope you have a breathalyzer handy to make sure the person is above the legal limit where their actions will suddenly become a threat to public safety so that you can then do your duty.
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Midwest USA
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Originally Posted by biravatch65
Well I hope you have a breathalyzer handy to make sure the person is above the legal limit where their actions will suddenly become a threat to public safety so that you can then do your duty.
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,722
Originally Posted by Justfor1
I agree. Alcoholics are not law enforcement professionals. I think people showing up intoxicated at AA meetings shows the insanity of alcoholism. The wanting to stop drinking yet actively drinking at the same time. I did it a few times & I was very frustrated & angry at myself. It's like I couldn't even be a "normal alcoholic."
It all gets down to that golden rule, "do unto others". If you don't want drunken folks on the road killing you or your family, don't silently watch a drunk drive off in a car.
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