The N.C. Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement will conduct a "Be A Responsible Server" program tomorrow evening to help merchants and their employees in the Raleigh area who sell or serve alcohol better understand North Carolina's alcohol laws.

The free program will be held on Tuesday, August 13th at 7:00 p.m. at the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission Hearing Room at the corner of Tryon and Garner Roads in Raleigh. It is anticipated that with colleges re-opening soon, there will be an influx of people under age 21 attempting to buy alcohol.

Although underage persons obtain alcoholic beverages from many sources, reducing the source of supply through retail compliance checks has been shown to be one of the most effective strategies to reduce underage drinking. In North Carolina, underage consumption of alcohol costs taxpayers and estimated $1.1 billion annually as a result of traffic crashes, violent crimes, deaths and injuries, suicide attempts, alcohol poisoning, and alcohol abuse treatment costs. Additionally, the North Carolina Governor's Institute on Alcohol and Substance Abuse reports that 95% of all violent crimes committed on college campuses are alcohol related.

You are invited to cover the BARS program. For further information about the program, please call our office at 919-733-5027 or ALE's District IV office at 919-662-4353.