RSA Course Online

Author: Peter Cutforth

  • Brutal Glassing Incident Culprit Escapes Prison

    An alcohol related crime committed in 1988 has once again come under the spotlight as the person convicted for the murder has again escaped prison after gaining parole for the incident in 1988 and now escaping jail time for the recent fight.  The man was involved in an assault while on parole for the first incident but this time received a suspended sentence.

    The convicted murderer was sentenced to 21 years in prison after smashing in the head of another patron at a nightclub in 1988 and killing him. Once released on parole in 2010, the man was involved in yet another incident in a bar in Melbourne where he glassed a security guard. Surprisingly the man has managed to escape prison because security cameras showed that he was initially the victim and the glassing was just a case of mistaken identity. The man thought he was glassing his attackers when in fact he was glassing the security guards who were trying to help him.

    TheShout.com.au reported on the incident, see below what the article had to say:

    Jeffrey Alan Thomas served 21 years in prison for the 1988 murder of a fellow nightclub patron, who he killed by repeatedly dropping a large rock on his head at the climax of a scuffle that occurred upon leaving the venue.

    Thomas was on parole in November 2010 when he became involved in a fight while drinking at the Cubby House Lounge Bar in Moonee Ponds in Melbourne’s north west. Security camera footage showed that Thomas was initially the victim in the incident. Following a verbal altercation, he was set upon by a group of up to eight men who punched and kicked him while he was on the ground.

    When security intervened to protect him, Thomas, who has poor eyesight and had lost his glasses in the melee, attacked one of the security guards, first punching him in the head before repeatedly striking him in the head with a glass he had subsequently picked up off the bar.

    As a result of the assault the security guard sustained several deep lacerations to his head. He received stitches and was discharged from hospital later that evening.

    The County Court of Victoria sentenced Thomas on March 26 this year. Judge Marilyn Harbison had heard evidence that Thomas had made strong progress in his rehabilitation in his latter years in prison and upon re-entering the community.

    Read more http://www.theshout.com.au/2013/04/22/article/Glassing-offender-avoids-prison-sentence/PMGJKKXMRE.html

    The judge in this case expressed her concern over the recent increase in violent incidents especially glassings occurring on licenced premises.

    According to the prosecutor, Thomas is a threat to the safety of the community however the judge pointed out that his previous offence of murder occurred under similar circumstances and that the man and the others involved had been drinking and so the incident was fuelled by alcohol. She then ruled that the three-year prison sentence she imposed on Thomas should be fully suspended.Thomas was warned that if he committed any crimes like this again he would definitely be sent back to prison.

     

  • Decrease in Alcohol Related Incidents on Adelaide Buses

    According to a report on Adelaidenow.com.au the instances of drunk passengers causing disturbances on public buses is quite a common occurrence.

    The post on Adelaidenow.com.au quoted statistics from Transfield Services which revealed that drunk passengers and those drinking alcohol were responsible for almost half of the incidents on buses travelling on 2 of Adelaide’s busiest bus routes in the past 10 months.

    According to the post Transfield Services statistics show that 432 incidents have been reported since 2 Wilson Security guards were hired in May to monitor the situation. The security guards are tasked with watching bus interchanges, known as hot spots and trouble services which occur on the weekends (Thursday and Sunday nights).

    There were a number of passengers who were drunk and these passengers seem to cause most of the incidents on Adelaide’s buses. There have now been calls for more guards to be hired to protect the safety of drivers as well as other passengers. So far the new guards have had a positive impact on bus safety.

    The post on Adelaidenow.com.au goes on to state:

    Passengers who were intoxicated or drinking accounted for 47 per cent of incidents, while a further 29 per cent were of incidents involved passengers displaying abusive, anti-social and offensive behaviour.

    The detection rates have prompted calls from the Transport Workers Union to hire more guards to protect drivers and passengers.

    Transfield, which operates 43 per cent of Adelaide’s bus network along the outer northeast and north-south routes through its subsidiary Light-City Buses, said incident numbers had dropped by about one-third since the introduction of security guards.

    Incident reporting before the guards were hired was recorded from driver and public feedback.

    Transfield Services SA general manager Mark Duckett said the security guards had provided greater safety for passengers and confidence to bus drivers.

    Mr Duckett said a third guard was hired in March to provide increased support.

    “We are always looking for ways to improve the journey for our passengers … to increase support covering the city’s rail and bus connections, especially where buses are replacing rail services,” he said.

    One in four incidents in the past 10 months involved suspicious behaviour, trespassing, graffiti and fighting on buses and at interchanges.

    Guards can also check tickets and escort passengers to their cars and their cars are equipped with CCTV cameras, GPS equipment and first aid kits.

    Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/incidents-on-adelaide-buses-largely-linked-to-alcohol-have-dropped-after-guards-introduced-on-transfield-routes/story-e6frea83-1226625403880

    The post goes on to explain that Transport Workers Union representative Ian Gonsalves said it would lobby the Government for more security guards to increase driver and passenger safety.

    While it is commendable that people are using public transport rather than drink driving, people should not be binge drinking or drinking to the extent that they become raucous and out of hand, especially in public, thereby becoming a threat to public safety.

    When drinking it is vital people do so responsibly and in moderation. Going out for a drink at the end of a hard day’s work is every person’s prerogative and can enhance relaxation and promote socialisation but excessive drinking not only places you as the drinker at risk but can result in behaviour that may land you in hot water.

     

  • Alcohol Promotions at NSW Events may be Banned

    NSW festivals and events may never be the same again if calls for alcohol promotions and sponsorships to be banned come into effect.

    People travel from across the country to attend festivals and events in NSW, so this issue has relevance for everyone.

    Alcohol promotions and sponsorships at North Coast festivals are frequented by young people many of whom aren’t even of legal drinking age. A NSW Upper House inquiry has heard that alcohol sponsorships and promotions should therefore be banned.

    The parliamentary inquiry into alcohol abuse in young people, the Byron Youth Service made its submission to have alcohol promotions and sponsorships banned. The group called for a review into the regulation of alcohol service at festivals and events such as Splendour in the Grass, Schoolies, Blues Fest and even New Year celebrations.

    The Byron Youth Service says that alcohol at festival bars in glamourized which thereby promotes heavy drinking especially amongst young people and encourages these impressionable youth into consuming alcohol.

    The submission also noted that the high profile crime in the area, related to alcohol appears to have escaped the State Government’s radar.

    According to a report on MyDailyNews.com.au this is what the BYS (Byron Youth Service) had to say:

    It says an area, which has 30% more liquor licences and significantly higher crime statistics than most of NSW, heavy tourism traffic and a shortage of taxis, is in desperate need of funding for safety programs.

    The street-based program, run by BYS every weekend and throughout special events and peak periods like Schoolies for the past 13 years, was working, according the submission but lacked “sufficient, ongoing funding”.

    Byron High students suggested funding for school-based programs, more RBTs at “high risk” areas like Byron, western Sydney and the Gold Coast and curfews for P platers, could help deter young people from binge-drinking.

    The submission, penned by school captains Taylor Kempnich and Brodie Snow and vice captains Danika Saul and James Dennett, said the focus should be on “prevention rather than the cure” if the State Government wanted to “save money, time in the workplace, but most of all, lives”.

    Byron-based Greens MLC Jan Barham and Lennox Liberal MLC Catherine Cusack are sitting on the committee which will report back to parliament later this year.

    The next hearing will take place in Sydney on May 6.

    http://www.mydailynews.com.au/news/push-ban-alcohol-promotion-nsw-festivals-and-event/1849647/

    Whether or not the BYS will be granted their request, we will have to wait and see but in the interim it is important that people realise that serving alcohol to underage minors is illegal.

    Parents need to understand the daamage that alcohol is doing to their children and the risks that it is placing them under.

    Servers of alcohol, whether in a bar or pub or at a festival or event needs to be aware of the damage that serving alcohol to youth can do. In addition to the harm that alcohol can do to young people, anyone who provides alcohol to a minor is liable to be charged.

     

  • Tips for Responsible Drinking

    Practicing responsible drinking is the only way to enjoy alcohol, binge drinking on the other hand leaves behind negative effects that can be felt long after the “buzz” has worn off.

    It is important that drinkers learn about the ways to keep their alcohol intake in check and learn how to drink responsibly.

    Being a responsible drinker involves making sure you’re safe, making sure those around  you are safe, actively avoiding dangerous situations, minimising the risks to yourself and others andhaving a positive overall drinking experience.

    How can you ensure a responsible drinking experience?

    • Be knowledgeable about what you’re drinking. Know what a standard drink is and use it as a way of keeping track of how much you’re drinking. Consider the alcohol content in each drink you consume and make sure that you space out your drinks throughout the night instead of downing them one after the other. Alternate one alcoholic drink with one non-alcoholic one or a glass of water to sustain you over the night. It takes up to an hour for your body to process each unit of alcohol. So have a break between drinks.
    • When drinking shooters or shots, keep in mind that they usually have a higher alcohol content. Also drink water between your drinks to help you keep hydrated and keep the hang over at bay.
    • Avoid mixing alcohol and other drugs. The impact of mixing alcohol and other drugs whether medication or recreational can be devastating and land you in the emergency room. If you’re on medication, check the information in the box to see what it says about drinking alcohol.

    Some of the side effects of combining drinking and drugs include death from internal bleeding, heart problems, difficulty breathing, headaches, drowsiness, fainting and loss of coordination, problems only made worse when behind the wheel of a car.

    • Arrange safe transport home. Don’t drink and drive. Alcohol is a depressant drug which slows down your reaction speed, which means if you need to think and act fast, you probably won’t be able to.  If you’re going out with a group of friends have a designated responsible driver who remains sober and make sure everyone gets home safely.  If no one wants to have a sober night, bring enough money for a taxi.
    • Wait until you’re old enough. Underage drinking is not only against the law, but can be detrimental to your health and physical as well as mental development. Under Responsible Service of Alcohol law serving alcohol to minors carries major fines for workers, management and owners of establishments, but the real cost of serving teenagers are the social consequences, such as teenage drink driving, teenage pregnancy and teenage violence. Teenagers who attempt to buy alcohol can also be fined, as can other parents who attempt to provide alcohol to their children’s friends without their parents’ consent.
    • Finish your drink too quickly and you’ll feel pressured to get another. Instead, make your drink and your evening last longer. Enjoy your drink and your night out by chatting, sipping, snacking, drinking water and getting fresh air.

     

  • Risks Involved with Drink Driving

    One of the aspects of responsible drinking is ensuring that you arrange safe transport home and do not engage in drink driving.

    Although most people think they can handle driving after a few drinks, countless studies (and statistics) have proven that alcohol reduces a person’s ability to drive safely. Even those who show few visible signs of alcohol in their system do not drive as well as usual after drinking. This is because alcohol affects most areas of the brain, and these effects are wide-ranging and impossible to compensate for. The brain being responsible for your movements and reflexes, it becomes difficult to engage in complex tasks once it has been affected by alcohol.

    It is also because alcohol is a depressant which means it has the following effects:

    • Slowing brain function making it difficult to respond to situations, make decisions or react quickly.
    • Reduces a person’s ability to judge how fast they are travelling or the distance from other cars.
    • It gives a person false confidence. People take greater risks because they think their driving is better than it really is.
    • Makes multi-tasking difficult. When it comes to driving, while you concentrate on steering, you could miss seeing traffic lights, cars entering from side streets or pedestrians.
    • Affects the sense of balance which is especially important for motorcycle riders.
    • Causes sleepiness.

    From these effects it becomes obvious that operating any machinery or vehicles once intoxicated is not only irresponsible but selfish because you could do more harm to others than you do to yourself. It is not only car or truck drivers that can injure or kill people and damage property as an incident in Brisbane recently proved. An elderly man was charged with operating his motorised wheelchair while intoxicated. The man was without any remorse although being found to be 4 times over the legal limit. It seems the man’s motorised wheelchair overturned probably due to speeding or reckless driving.

    Read what this post on Brisbanetimes.com.au reported on the incident:

    Ray Vivian Hodges, of Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, recorded the alcohol reading after police found him sprawled on the ground, shirtless and mumbling incoherently, beside his overturned scooter at Mooloolaba in late March.

    With the aid of a walking stick, Mr Hodges has faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court for what was his fourth drink-driving charge since 2008.

    Mr Hodges who admitted consuming 10 large glasses of wine, recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.209.

    He had “taken offence” at some police allegations particularly the categorisation of his scooter as a vehicle, saying “on this occasion, the wheelchair was my legs [and] as my legs, it was the only way I could get home”.

    Mr Hodges was disqualified from driving for 18 months and sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for two years.

    Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/elderly-man-nabbed-drink-driving-on-motorised-wheelchair-20130416-2hx8b.html#ixzz2QhgXkVBE

    The magistrate said that in light of the recent death of a scooter rider, Kim Horrigan, who was hit by a van at Currimundi, people like Mr Hodges need to be stopped before they kill themselves or someone else.

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol Role in Reducing Bar Brawls

    Bar brawls seem to have become a common occurrence in Oz regardless of the fact that police are out in full force each weekend attempting to keep revellers at bay. It is concerning to think that in Australia 16 per cent of bars account for 60 per cent of bar brawls. Obviously certain licenced venues are not concerned about the safety of their customers and employees and it is unlikely these venues are enforcing Responsible Service of Alcohol rules.

    Drinkers who engage in bar brawls are not deterred by negative consequences (such as minor injuries, tension among friends, or trouble with the police), all of which tend to be delayed. The perceived rewards are more immediate and include feeling right about fighting for a worthy cause, increasing group cohesion among friends, getting attention, feeling powerful and having entertaining stories to tell. Also most often these people are so intoxicated that they have been freed from all inhibitions so the consequences of their actions is the furthest thought from their mind.

    Binge drinking and underage drinking have been identified as 2 of the major contributors to alcohol fuelled violence. Binge drinking in particular is a problem contributing to the major of bar fights.

    Responsible service of alcohol laws dictate that drinkers be cut off after reaching a number drinks, regardless of the situation or how irate they may become at being denied another drink. If bar fights are something that happen often in your establishment, undoubtedly it will quickly develop a bad reputation and more responsible patrons will avoid it. Therefore waiters need to know how to properly recognize and respond to drunken patrons.

    Tact is needed and you should always remain respectful and understand that the person is intoxicated and probably unreasonable at this stage.

    You may need to remove a patron from the bar if they refuse to accept your decision to stop serving them.  That is why the best thing to do is to inform the customer beforehand that they will not be allowed more alcohol. You could politely mention to the customer that they will only be served one or two more. Then you should inform other servers as well as any bouncers or security along with your manager that a particular patron is close to their limit. It is much easier for a customer to understand this news before they are extremely intoxicated and unmanageable.

    In order to learn all the other responsibilities of an RSA employee and how to reduce the number of bar fights and violence associated with your bar or licenced venue, every staff member needs to undergo Responsible Service of Alcohol training. Each employee’s certificate should be kept on file at the premises to be provided to authorities as and when requested. This training will teach employees all the skills needed to avoid situations such as bar brawls and alcohol fuelled violence as well as the consequences for their actions.

    If you or any of your workers have not undergone the RSA course, you need to do so immediately not only to avoid legal prosecution but also to ensure that your venue remains safe and profitable.  Visit our homepage to get more information.

     

  • Last Resort in Responsible Service of Alcohol

    Responsible Service of Alcohol seems to be taking a back seat these days judging by the number of intoxicated patrons that can be found loitering around licenced venues in entertainment districts across Oz. Alcohol Servers need to question whether they have done all they can to reduce intoxication and effects of alcohol misuse.

    Employees of the hospitality industry that are involved with the sale of alcohol must ensure that they do not contribute to the alcohol fuelled problems plaguing our entertainment districts. In order to do this they need to be aware of their responsibilities according to the law.

    The responsible service of alcohol certificate will assist in this regard and teach workers how to properly serve alcohol as to not contribute to these alcohol fuelled incidents. (To learn how to register for the RSA course online, visit www.Rsacourseonline.com.au

    Some of the serious incidents we have witnessed recently include assault, murder, robbery, drink driving accidents and brawling.

    As an RSA worker, you must constantly ask yourself whether or not you have done all you can reduce the numbers of alcohol fuelled incidents. Have you fulfilled your duties by, not serving minors, not serving intoxicated patrons, recognizing the signs of intoxication and acting accordingly? This will in turn positively affect the community if all RSA workers employ this self-reflective approach to alcohol service.

    Some of the Actions an RSA employee must undertake include:

    • Look out for the visible signs of intoxication, such as a person’s speech, balance, co-ordination or behaviour. These are noticeably different when someone is intoxicated and it is reasonable to assume these changes are due to intoxication and deny this person further alcohol service.
    • Apply tact when denying alcohol to a customer and always remain respectful and understand that the person is intoxicated and probably unreasonable at this stage.
    • Learn what a standard drink constitutes and know more or less the alcoholic content of drinks you serve so that you are able to advise patrons accordingly and assist them in remaining sober. Learn what a standard drink is and stick to the government’s recommended daily standard drink. This will allow you to remain within the limits of the law when serving patrons or drinking yourself.
    • Ask anyone who looks under 23 for their proof of ID. A current driver’s licence (or interstate equivalent) or passport will do.
    • Provide customers with good quality food and free drinking water wherever alcohol is sold.
    • Provide alternatives to full strength alcohol, such as low alcohol beer, soft drinks and coffee to patrons. Advise patrons to alternate one alcoholic drink with one non-alcoholic drink or a glass of water.
    • Do not serve the same patron with too many drinks at once, this is an easy way of binge drinking which can have serious negative consequences for them and other bystanders. Coordinate with other workers in the venue about who to stop serving alcohol to.

    If staff of licenced venues are aware of their responsibilities and enforce them, it is likely we will see a significant decline in alcohol fuelled misconduct and violence on our streets.

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol News: Huge Cost of Alcohol Harm

    We often consider the emotional and physical costs of alcohol abuse on the community and individuals in particular when discussing alcohol harm but we seldom consider the huge financial cost alcohol related harm has on the Australian society.

    A recent article on www.caboolturenews.com.au discusses a study which estimates alcohol related harm at more than $14 billion in 2012, which was double the amount of revenue collected in tax and excise.

    The study by researchers at Griffith University undertook the study on behalf of the Australian Institute of Criminology. This huge financial cost of alcohol related harm was the key finding of the report.

    The authors of the study have suggested a substantial amount of the government’s revenue generated from alcohol taxes should go towards diversion and prevention strategies to tackle the issue head-on and at the root rather than having to deal with the consequences.

    Read more about the study below with an excerpt from the post on www.Caboolturenews.com.au :

    The Commonwealth raised $7 billion in total tax revenue in 2010 from alcohol products through excise and GST revenue.

    Matthew Manning, a co-author of The Societal Costs Of Alcohol Misuse In Australia, said the paper built on a series of costings carried out over the past decade by David Collins and Helen Lapsley and showed the extent of damage that alcohol caused to the economy.

    Of the $14.352 billion estimate, $6.046 billion involved costs to Australian productivity, $3.662 billion were costs associated with traffic accidents, $2.9 billion comprised costs to the criminal justice system and $1.686 billion represented costs to the health system.

    Dr Manning made the point the total did not incorporate the negative impacts on others – estimated at more than $6 billion – associated with someone else’s drinking.

    Productivity losses, which accounted for almost half of the total cost, were calculated as the sum of reduced workforce and household labour due to premature death, reduced household labour due to sickness and reduced workforce participation due to absenteeism.

    The criminal justice system costs were made up of police (38% of total), child protection and support services (8%), prisons (21%), plus insurance administration (1%), to courts (3%) and other organisations such as detox, counselling and victims services, associated with addressing violence (29%).

    Source:http://www.caboolturenews.com.au/news/alcohol-harm-cost-us-more-twice-tax-revenue-raised/1817693/

    Servers of alcohol should never underestimate the role they play in keeping this high financial cost to the country down. Employees of the hospitality industry that are involved with the sale of alcohol must ensure that they do not contribute to the alcohol fuelled problems and therefore cost to the economy.

    As an RSA worker, you must constantly ask yourself whether or not you have done all you can reduce the numbers of alcohol fuelled incidents and minimise the huge financial impact on the community and Australian society in general. Have you fulfilled your duties by, not serving minors, not serving intoxicated patrons, recognizing the signs of intoxication and acting accordingly?

     

  • Researchers Concern at Rising Alcohol Harm despite Fall in Consumption

    An informative article I recently read on the website http://theconversation.com discussed how despite falling alcohol numbers, alcohol induced harm is still on the rise. This seems quite paradoxical considering that when the consumption of something decreases, the effects of that substance are also expected to decrease, not so with alcohol it seems.

    Previously we have viewed alcohol induced harm as directly correspondent to level of alcohol consumption in a community but this is not necessarily the case, according to new research by Michael Livingston, post-doctoral research fellow in the Drug Policy Modelling Program at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre and a research fellow in the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre.

    The research looked into countries drinking habits such as Sweden where per capita alcohol consumption has fallen in the last five years while the rates of harm associated with alcohol has remained fairly consistent.

    A similar phenomenon was experienced in Britain where alcohol consumption has apparently decreased since 2004 yet harm induced by alcohol consumption has remained high and Australia seems to be in the same boat as Sweden and England.

    Read an excerpt from the article below which explains further:

    Over the last decade or so, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics have shown almost no change in the amount of alcohol consumed per person in Australia. In 2000/01, it was 10.15 litres of pure alcohol, while in 2010/11 (the most recent year for which data are available), it was 9.99 litres. In contrast, rates of alcohol-related harm are increasing.

    Recent studies in Victoria of both adults and young people have found sharp increases in a range of problems from alcohol. This includes rates of alcohol-related hospitalisations, presentations at emergency departments due to intoxication, late-night assaults, domestic violence involving alcohol and alcohol treatment.

    And a national study of alcohol-related harm between 1995 and 2006 found increases in alcohol-related hospitalisations in all states.

    http://theconversation.com/alcohol-fuelled-violence-on-the-rise-despite-falling-consumption-9892

    Recently the issue of hospitalisations due to alcohol induced harm have become a matter of particular concern, costing the economy millions and taking up beds in hospitals that could be occupied by people with serious natural illnesses.

    One thing these findings make very clear, vilifying alcohol is not the answer. Drinking alcohol is not the source of the violence and harm but the few people who are still abusing alcohol are the problem. Alcohol consumed responsibly and moderately is good for you, both in terms of mental and physical wellbeing but abusing alcohol and binge drinking which has become a part of our culture is the real culprit and needs to be tackled.

    Another painfully obvious part of these findings is that people whose responsibility it is under the law to ensure alcohol is sold and served in moderation are not doing so well enough. Responsible Service of Alcohol is a vital part of the plan to tackle alcohol induced harm in Australia and it can only be successful if the staff of every licenced venue across Oz does their part.

     

  • RSA Update: Quick Tips for Bartenders on Reducing Alcohol Related Harm

    Bartenders and serving staff of licenced venues have a role to play in reducing alcohol induced violence and harm. This is one of the reasons why authorities made Responsible Service of Alcohol training mandatory for all workers in the alcohol sales and service industry.

    There is no doubt that alcohol fuelled harm in Oz especially in entertainment districts has gotten out of hand, but there are some practical tips that bartenders and other workers in licenced venues can adopt to prevent contributing to alcohol fuelled harm.

    • Do not serve alcohol to minors. They are not responsible enough or physically developed enough to handle their liquor. They also have less self-control and restraint and therefore are more likely to abuse alcohol and binge drink, resulting in harm to themselves and possibly others.
    • Do not serve alcohol to anyone who you suspect is or is displaying signs that they may be unduly intoxicated. This is one of the biggest problems contributing to alcohol problems in Oz at the moment.
    • Do not serve the same person too many drinks, even if they do not display signs of physical intoxication. Keep track of how many drinks you serve each person.
    • Be aware of any new restrictions that may have been implemented in your district and adhere to them. For example Byrons Bay has recently introduced a number of measures to combat alcohol fuelled violence in the district such as a 1.30am lockout, refusal of entry to any person seen drinking within 50 metres of a venue and restrictions on takeaway sales after a set time. Learn the new rules and stick to them.