Project
Characteristics |
Web-based
Alcohol Training Program
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Program
Areas |
Public
Information & Education
Alcohol & Other Drugs |
Type
of Jurisdiction |
State |
Targeted
Population |
Employees
of Liquor License Holders |
Jurisdiction
Size |
4,500
(approx. liquor licensees) |
Funding |
Section
402: $50,034
State: $28,000
Other: $78,034 |
Contact |
Linda
Kearns
NE Hwy Safety Office
PO Box 94612
Lincoln, NE 68509-4612
(402) 471-2515
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Digest
Listing
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NEBRASKA
Web-based
Beverage Service Program
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
During the first six months of 2000, approximately 36 percent
of the traffic fatalities in the State of Nebraska were alcohol-related.
This rate is comparable to the percentage of alcohol-related traffic
fatalities in Fiscal Year 1998 (37.9 percent) and slightly less than the
rate in Fiscal Year 1999 (42.4 percent). In Fiscal Year 1999, Nebraska’s
alcohol-related fatality rate exceeded the national average (38 percent)
by approximately four percent.
The
data collected from January 1999 through December 2000 showed of the 80
students admitted to Cornhusker Place, a drug and alcohol treatment
facility, the average blood alcohol content (BAC) was .168. Last drink
data validates the need to develop and implement strategies designed to
intervene at the point of sale or service. Last drink data is survey data
that determines when an individual’s last drink occurred before admittance
to a detoxify facility.
Results from a six-month study, performed by a Lincoln City
Council committee, on the feasibility of mandatory education of clerks,
bartenders, and waitstaff in state and local alcohol policies and laws
found that the two major barriers are high turnover rates and training
accessibility. A Web-based program will provide easy access for the
approximately 20,000 individuals responsible for the sale or service of
alcohol in Nebraska.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of the Web-based Beverage Service program is to
reduce the number of statewide alcohol-related fatal, (A and B type)
injury crashes during the funding period by 10 percent, from 749 to 674.
The objectives of the program are to:
-
Increase the knowledge and awareness of employees in on- and
off-sale establishments (i.e, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants) regarding
select state and local alcohol-related laws and policies, as well as
select management policies and procedures (such as, checking for valid
identification, sales and services to intoxicated patrons, and
determining when to contact law enforcement regarding disturbances by
intoxicated patrons).
-
Increase, by 10 percent, the number of off-sale retail
clerks, on-sale bartenders, and on-sale waitstaff who check for proper
identification of individuals who appear to be 27 years of age or
younger; and
-
Increase, by 10 percent, the number of off-sale retail
clerks, on-sale bartenders, and on-sale waitstaff who refuse service
to an obviously intoxicated customer or patron.
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The strategies and activities for the Web-based Beverage
Service program were to:
-
Develop the manager portion of the system allowing specific
policies to be entered into the course content and the enrollment of
employees.
-
Develop Getting Started materials, a help desk, and
Frequently Asked Questions for users of the system.
-
Continue development of the reporting mechanisms for the
Liquor Control Commission. Employee progress within the program is
available to both the owner/manager of the participating establishment
and the State Liquor Commission officials.
-
Collaborate with the University of Nebraska’s Directions
Campus/Community Coalition evaluator and the Lincoln Police Department
to identify 10 establishments (representing a variety of license
types) for the pilot project.
-
Initiate the second phase of the Web-based training pilot
project when the program was made available to all licensed
establishments in 2002. Held a press conference to announce the
training.
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A scheduled evaluation of the program was delayed because the
site development, beta test, and pilot project took longer than
anticipated. Information regarding the current progress has been
presented to the State Liquor Control Commissioner.
RESULTS
As of November 2002,
69 establishments in 24 counties, have used the training program.
Approximately 650 employees have been enrolled; over 50 percent of
enrollees have successfully completed at least one of the two modules by
correctly answering all the test questions. The Nebraska Highway Safety
Office indicates that statewide alcohol-related fatal (A and B type)
injury crashes are down from 38.1 percent in 2001 to 34.6 percent in 2002.
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