Alcohol service training may help reduce sales to minors and intoxicate patrons.
Many local cities, including Vista, San Marcos, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Poway, require employees who sell or serve alcohol to complete training in Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service.
To meet the needs of North County’s growing Hispanic population, the North Coastal Prevention Coalition (NCPC) has partnered with Occupational Health Services (OHS) since 2010 to provide training in Spanish that meets the requirements set forth in local ordinances.
The next Spanish-language Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service training will be held:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Community Room at Vista Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Drive., Vista
Since 2009, nearly 1,500 people have attended training in either English or Spanish in Vista and find it extremely valuable:
· Over 95% would recommend the training to others.
· 67% of English attendees and 82% of Spanish attendees had not attended a similar training previously.
· 89% of all attendees reported that they were ‘likely’ or ‘very likely’ to change the way they did their job.
Employees and managers of licensed establishments play a critical role in preventing and reducing alcohol-related problems in their patrons, including driving under the influence (DUI). Based on surveys collected at county-funded DUI programs, nearly half of those arrested for DUI report drinking at a licensed establishment prior to arrest, such as a bar or restaurant.
According to a recent SANDAG report, 45% of drivers killed in a motor vehicle crash in 2011 had a blood alcohol level over .08 percent (www.sdcounty.ca.gov/me), and over 43 DUI arrests made on average every day (www.sandag.org/cj).
Responsible alcohol sales and service training provides employees information and skills they
need to make a difference. The training covers topics such as legal responsibilities regarding alcohol, how to detect fake IDs, how to tell when customers are intoxicated, and how to safely cut them off. Employees report learning about alcohol laws and liability is one of the most useful elements of the training.
“I learned new things for myself, like the levels of alcohol concentration in the blood that makes it illegal to drive. I also learned what to do or not to do when an intoxicated person wants to continue drinking.” [Spanish-language training participant survey, September 2011]
Training is free and open to anyone interested in attending. To RSVP or get more information, please contact Carmela Muñoz, Prevention Specialist, at 760-631-5000 x7147. The next scheduled English trainings will be held on February 12 and March 5, 2013.
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About North Coastal Prevention Coalition (NCPC)
The mission of NCPC is to reduce the harm of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs in the cities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista through community action, education, support and collaboration. Funded in part by the County of San Diego, HHSA, Behavioral Health Services and by SAMHSA though the STOP Act with grants to Vista Community Clinic.
For more information visit: www.northcoastalpreventioncoalition.org.
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