StayWell Guam Inc.

As the holiday season commences, families and friends across the country prepare for a time marked by celebration and togetherness. Meaningful memories are created as we gather to share meals, conversations, and cherished traditions. While this season brings connection and goodwill, it is also important to prioritize personal and public safety. December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, which highlights taking appropriate precautions to help ensure that the holidays can be enjoyed responsibly and that everyone can participate with confidence and care.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping themselves and others safe—especially during times of celebration. One of the most important steps is to never allow friends or loved ones to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and to refuse to ride with anyone who may be under the influence. Simple choices can have a powerful impact. Wearing a seat belt on every trip, whether driving or riding in the front or back seat, significantly reduces the risk of serious injury.

If you are hosting a gathering where alcohol or other substances may be present, take the lead by encouraging guests to plan ahead. You can help arrange alternative transportation or establish a trusted designated driver who commits to staying substance-free for the evening. Making safety a shared priority allows everyone to enjoy the occasion responsibly and return home safely.

For drivers, if you’ve been drinking or using drugs, never get behind the wheel. Instead, choose a designated driver, use a rideshare service, or call a taxi. Making these proactive decisions protects not only your own well-being, but also the safety of others on the road.

For Guam residents, Transforming Ourselves through Healing Growth & Enrichment (TOGHE), Inc., a nonprofit recovery community organization supporting individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, is offering its “Safe Drive Home” service throughout December. This program provides free rides home to anyone, with up to 5 passengers, who have been drinking or feels unsafe driving and is offered in partnership with the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.

The program operates from 11 P.M. to 2 A.M. on December 19 to December 23, 2025, then 10 P.M. to 3 A.M. on December 24 to January 3, 2026. To request a Safe Drive Home driver, call (671) 787-9276 or (671) 686-9276 (TOGHE Warmline).

As we celebrate this joyful season, let us look out for one another and make choices that keep our families, friends, and community safe. By planning and prioritizing responsible behavior, we can ensure that the holidays remain a time of happiness and peace for all. On behalf of those working to support safety and well-being in our community, StayWell Insurance wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, a safe holiday season, and a New Year filled with health, hope, and joy.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 16). What you can do to prevent impaired driving. https://www.cdc.gov/impaired-driving/what-you-can-do/index.html
Hernandez, J. (2025, December 21). A free, late-night ride could mean the difference between life and death this holiday season: ‘Safe Drive Home’ offers free rides, saves lives. Pacific Daily News. https://www.cdc.gov/impaired-driving/what-you-can-do/index.html