Ketchikan has job potential. Alaska had 21 years of job gains up until 2009. After a year without, Alaska added 1,800 jobs in 2010 and 5,200 in 2011, according to the Alaska Department of Labor.

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Former Ketchikan resident Mike Thomas, 47, died Dec. 20, 2011, in Mohave, Ariz. He was born in Salem, Ore., on Nov. 25, 1964, but was raised in Ketchikan.

This weekend honors the worker.

Most workers will take the day off. Some workers won't get a holiday. The Alaska State Troopers and officers of the Ketchikan Police Department work on Labor Day weekend.

Traditionally, the crime they will focus on this weekend is driving under the influence - under the influence of alcohol, of course, but also any substance that alters a driver's state of mind and ability to react.

The slightest suspicion of impaired driving likely will prompt an officer to make a traffic stop this weekend. A trooper news release hammers that point home.

The troopers, along with 18 community police forces, expect to provide saturation patrols on more than 80 percent of Alaska's roads and highways in a Labor Day crackdown. The enforcement campaign, which is possible because of increased federal funding for highway safety, is known as Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest, Drink, Drive, Go to Jail.

While troopers work, most Alaskans will be transitioning into a new season. It's time with fall in the air to begin a seasonal cleanup, or it's an opportunity for an end-of-summer party - perhaps a barbecue, a group

campout, a boat trip or a similar event. The party approach is the one that authorities will be most concerned about because a key ingredient to such occasions often is beer (or other alcoholic beverages).

Troopers caution those choosing a party to take transportation into account - don't drive impaired and don't let anyone else drive under the influence.

Parties require planning and planning for safe drivers is integral to any responsible party. Designate a driver who won't be drinking, smoking, ingesting or however else a substance might be consumed to take care of transportation. Store keys to motor vehicles (autos, boats, four-wheelers and the like) out of reach or give them to a non-consuming friend or family member.

The effect of responsible behavior will be that everyone can make it through the weekend at least as healthy as they entered it. Patrol officers will be able to deal with situations other than traffic stops and accidents that necessitate their attention. The hospital emergency room will be able to tend to the sick instead of the injured from alcohol-related motor vehicle incidents, and the air medivac jets will be less likely to fly - at least for reasons related to drugs or alcohol.

Troopers also are asking the public's assistance through their REDDI effort. REDDI stands for Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately by calling 911. This has become easier with the advent of cell phones. With cell phones at our fingertips, we quickly can report license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions and locations of possible impaired drivers - sometimes before they put a vehicle in gear - leading to rapid apprehension and perhaps avoidance of a traffic crash.

Alaska has been improving its response to authorities' message not to drive while impaired. The state recorded 101 traffic fatalities in 2004. By 2008, the number had declined to 62 (44 percent fewer fatalities).

Sixty-two, while lower, still isn't acceptable. That's 62 families and friends - workplaces, too - affected by fatal traffic incidents. That's just in one year. That number, combined with higher numbers from prior years, total too many Alaskans haunted by the consequences of an impaired driver.

Some died; some went to jail. Some lost their licenses, and some lost their jobs. In every case, the financial impact exceeded what most could afford. It isn't cheap to go to court, to pay fines and increased automobile insurance, nor to make restitution. It can take years to recover from the cost alone. The increase in automobile insurance can be prohibitive to ever driving again.

This weekend in particular - and every day - let the prime concern be safe driving and responsible decisions. That way every worker, whether on the job or not, can enjoy the holiday and the days to come.

Labor Day wasn't created for tragedy, but to honor the worker and the worker's accomplishments. May that be how it is this Labor Day Weekend.