Date: August 17, 2001
Contacts:
Sara J. Kempin, APR
Deputy Director of Public Affairs
(919) 733-5027
| For Release: Immediate
Date: August 17, 2001 |
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Contacts: |
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ALE TO HOLD BARS PROGRAM FOR THOMASVILLE MERCHANTS |
WINSTON-SALEM-The N.C. Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) will conduct their free "Be A Responsible Server" (BARS) program for all Thomasville merchants who serve or sell alcohol. Thomasville Police Chief Larry Murdock requested ALE do the program after approximately 40% of the merchants sold alcohol to a person under age 21 during a recent compliance check.
The one-hour, free program will be held on Wednesday, August 22, at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Thomasville Police Department. The program focuses on the responsible service and sale of alcoholic beverages, particularly relating to stopping the sale of alcoholic beverages to underage persons and intoxicated persons.
"We are putting the merchants on notice," said Chief Murdock. "Attend this program and learn the law. Learn it well, because we're coming back and we're going to test everyone again."
Thomasville police officers recently sent an underage person most of the businesses that sell or serve alcohol in town. The 25 businesses that sold were cited for selling to an underage person. All merchants and their employees are invited to attend the upcoming BARS program. Thomasville police officers will re-check all the businesses again within several weeks after the BARS Program.
"This program is an opportunity for all merchants and their employees to understand North Carolina's laws on selling and serving alcohol," said Chet Jessup, ALE District VII supervisor. "We hope that people attend and learn from this program. Nothing would please me more than to have no businesses sell alcohol on the second operation."
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. Statistics released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reveal that 75% of all high school students drink alcohol; 24% of them are binge drinkers. Even more startling, 33% of middle school students began drinking before age 11. At the national level, U.S. Department of Justice statistics show that underage consumption of alcohol costs taxpayers $58 billion annually as a result of traffic crashes, violent crimes, burns, drownings, suicide attempts, alcohol poisoning, and alcohol abuse treatment costs. In North Carolina, the cost is estimated to be $1.1 billion. 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.
ALE is charged by the General Statutes with enforcing alcohol beverage control and drug laws. The Division puts special emphasis on the possession and use of alcohol by underage persons, and the prevention of violent crime due to alcohol and drug abuse.
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