Drunk driving on rise with women in afternoon

MATT LAUER, co-host:

We're back now at 10 after 8, and this morning we're kicking off a series looking at the serious issue of women and alcohol. When you think of drinking and driving, you may picture some guy coming home from a bar late at night. But NBC's Janet Shamlian discovered that is not always true.

JANET SHAMLIAN reporting:

The busiest shift for DWI enforcement used to be after dark.

Unidentified Man: What's the number of the residence?

SHAMLIAN: But now in New York's Westchester County the afternoon often claims that title, a new trend that keeps probation officers like Cheryl Day and Helene Hoda busy.

Unidentified Woman: We are probation officers. As part of our assignment as DWI officers, we go out and we do home visits to check up on people, to make sure that they're not drinking, that they're not driving.

SHAMLIAN: The county has seen an increase in the number of women arrested for driving while drunk with kids in the car. Commissioner Pozzi says more moms than ever are on probation for drunk driving.

Mr. ROCCO POZZI (Probation Commissioner, Westchester County, New York): These are women who would put their lives on the line to protect their children, but at the same time would think nothing of having a couple drinks and getting in a car and driving their kids around and putting them in peril.

SHAMLIAN: In fact, research conducted by Dr. Richard Grucza at Washington University's School of Medicine found a substantial increase in drinking and alcohol use among American women born between 1954 and 1963, with a notable increase of 50 percent among white and Hispanic women. Joan Bonsignore says mothers in particular can turn to alcohol for a variety of reasons: stress, loneliness, a loss of self-esteem.

Ms. JOAN BONSIGNORE (National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence): They're used to getting dressed day and going to work and feeling very important. Now they are very important, but may not feel that way.

SHAMLIAN: Experts say it doesn't take much for a cocktail or a glass of wine to become a daily habit and turn into more than just one. For mothers, the where and when of drinking is different than for many adults. It's much less likely to happen here in a bar, more frequently at a friend's home or home alone.

Dr. NANCY SNYDERMAN (NBC News Chief Medical Editor): One of the problems with women and alcohol abuse is that the alcoholism can sneak up on you. One party drink can become a couple during the day. And before you know it, the alcohol just takes control of your life.

SHAMLIAN: In White Plains, authorities believe increased patrols have meant more arrests.

Mr. POZZI: So if they've been at home, having a couple drinks, you know, maybe a few too many, you know, they still--they still have to pick up their child. And so they think nothing about getting behind the wheel and driving and getting done what they normally get done.

SHAMLIAN: A dangerous gamble, he says, for anyone. For TODAY, Janet Shamlian, NBC News White Plains, New York.

LAUER: Dr. Charles Sophy is a psychiatrist and the medical director for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.

Doctor, good morning. Nice to see you.

Dr. CHARLES SOPHY (Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services): Good morning. Thank you.

LAUER: Age-old question, but are we seeing this more and more often or are police departments simply going out and looking for it more and more often?

Dr. SOPHY: You know, Matt, I see it more and more in my practice. There is a reason these women are drinking. It's not just happening happenstance and they're not going out more often. It's happening for a reason. Women have transitioned themselves really well over the last couple of decades. They have jobs, they're juggling husbands, they're juggling their children, domestic duties. They're stressed. And it's OK to be stressed, but they got to handle it. ...

•	Drunk driving on rise with women in afternoon NBC Today Show, Thursday, May 29, 2008 Byline: Janet Shamlian