RAF LAKENHEATH, England — A new program designed to promote responsible drinking has begun at RAF Lakenheath. Known as ZOT, the idea’s architect said the program gives airmen who drink a way of measuring their consumption.

“If you ask 10 people, ‘What’s responsible drinking?’, you’ll get 10 different answers,” said Dr. (Maj.) William Brim. “One of the goals of this program is to set a standard.”

The standard is in the name. ZOT stands for zero alcohol-related incidents, one drink an hour, and three units of alcohol a night.

Brim is a member of the 48th Medical Group and director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) program. He said the idea was spawned at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., which got the idea from colleges, where binge drinking was identified as a problem.

“Transferring that from the college campus to the base is not that far of a leap,” he said.

Brim said it is not possible to stop people from drinking, but those that do should understand the consequences. Alcohol-related incidents are the number one cause of death for people ages 18 to 21.

“Nearly all of those cases occur because of binge drinking,” he said.

Brim said the frequency of alcohol-related incidents spike after a few drinks.

“From your first drink, your likelihood goes up,” he said. “It significantly increases after your third or fourth drink.”

But, he said, most people do not drink to excess, putting the percentage of those who do at 20 percent.

“It’s a misperception that everybody drinks and everybody drinks a lot,” he said.

The base magazine, Jet48, kicked off the program last week with a cover montage of a few hundred people on the base.

“I am Airman ZOT,” is the program’s catchphrase.

Over the next few weeks, publicity will increase. Posters may be displayed at off-base pubs and clubs where airmen drink on weekends.

Some have suggested movies be shown late a night to pull people from the bar. Midnight basketball may show up.

Airmen interviewed said the program has a chance to succeed.

“It gives people an idea of what the Air Force expects from you,” said Airman 1st Class Andrew Brammeier of the 48th Medical Support Squadron.

“Not everybody knows what responsible drinking is.”

Airman Natacia Flick of the 48th Fighter Wing, who can go months between drinks, said alcohol is impossible to avoid.

“The English culture is ... going to the pub and eating,” she said.

Brim said the standard is simply that. It is not a hard and fast rule, applicable to everyone. A large man, for example, can drink more than a small woman and still behave responsibly.

“We’re trying to begin a culture change,” he said.