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Tag: Responsible Service of Alcohol

  • Australians apparently tired of Extreme Alcohol Messages

    According to a post I discovered on TheShout.com, the Australian people are becoming increasingly annoyed at hearing messages about the woes of alcohol which anti-alcohol activists are pushing on people. According to a political commentator people are sick of hearing how excessive alcohol consumption is bad for them.

    This is a problem because when people become tired of hearing the message, they will begin to ignore the message and this will exacerbate the problems associated with binge drinking such as alcohol fuelled brawls.

    Read what the post had to say:

    Australians are sick of being preached to by anti-alcohol activists, argues political commentator Christian Kerr.

     Kerr this week penned a column for The Australian arguing that preventative health is too heavily influenced by ideology rather than hard evidence. He told TheShout that Australians are starting to see through activists’ agendas and he forecasted that the ‘nanny-state’ will become an election issue.

     “Australians don’t like wowsers,” Kerr said. “We are basically a common-sense lot, and don’t like people telling us how to live our lives.

     “If Australians feel as though they are being preached to, they either switch off or rebel.

     “Public health advocates should remember this, or risk a backlash and people ignoring messages.”

     AHA (NSW) CEO Paul Nicolaou added: “These groups won’t be happy until we are all vegetarians living in solar powered huts drinking nothing but water and eating nothing but tofu.”

     “Bureaucracy for the sake of bureaucracy – the perfect example of interest groups trying to justify their existence.”

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2013/01/23/article/Australians-switching-off-to-wowsers/THGHTJXBUR.html

    Unfortunately the alcohol fuelled problems are not stopping which presents an even bigger problem. If people are no longer willing to listen to the experts and continue to abuse alcohol at their current rate, authorities will be forced to take even further action. Strategies such as sobering centres could become more common and spread across the country. Also police will be forced to take a stronger stance against people drinking in public and the alcohol fuelled violence that has followed it.

    Although the post insists that Aussies are a sensible lot, we cannot generalise. A culture of excessive drinking has been entrenched in our society and it is because of this handful of alcohol abusers that we are inundated with messages of alcohol’s ability to cause harm.

    Of course servers of alcohol, like bartenders, waitrons and liquor store sales people play a crucial role in the fight against this anti-social behaviour. This can be done by limiting the amount of alcohol sold to any one customer and never providing alcohol to unduly intoxicated patrons. Another important consideration is ensuring they do not serve alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age.

    They should also make every attempt to help people get home safely by encouraging them to call a taxi or take public transport to prevent drink driving and loitering which has been shown to contribute to alcohol fuelled violence in many areas. Even security staff of licenced venues has a role to play in combatting these problematic issues, and must undergo Responsible Service of Alcohol training so that the messages that dominate our media about the dangers of alcohol consumption can soon come to an end.

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol Update: Medical Operations Revamped due to Alcohol Violence

    Hospital emergency departments across the state of Victoria will be overhauled according to reports by The Herald Sun, in order to cope with the high number of alcohol and drug affected people that are monopolising hospitals. The government will review its drug and alcohol strategy to be able to improve Vic’s emergency departments.

    The government plans to use Australia Day as an opportunity to bring awareness to the need for a change in drinking attitudes across Oz. Part of the government’s plan also includes clamping down on the abuse of prescription drugs.

    The government’s strategy will also include a plan to be rolled out between 2013-2017 which will, strengthening drink driving laws as well as tackling anti-social behaviour programs. The government will also roll out drug and alcohol awareness programs throughout schools across the state.

    Hospitals will be given more money to deal with the large volumes of people being admitted for drug and alcohol related incidents. $12 million will be injected in emergency departments to help them cope with the increasing numbers.

    Authorities also intend to clamp down abuse of prescription drugs which is another increasing problem in the state.

    Read what this post had to say about government’s proposition:

    The Government will also toughen controls and programs to clamp down on illegal and misused prescription drugs.

    At least one Victorian is killed daily by drugs or alcohol.

    Central to the plan will be a $12 million emergency department injection to help hospitals deal with increasing numbers of dangerous drunk and drug-affected patients, particularly those using ice.

    Specialised medical staff will be placed in 21 emergency departments to take control of the most dangerous intoxicated patients.

    Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge said the measures would see drugged and drunk patients referred to more appropriate care in an effort to cut hospital re-admissions.

    “Dealing with these patients requires intensive resources and places considerable pressure on hospitals,” Ms Wooldridge said.

    “This new initiative will provide better support, identification, management and treatment of people presenting to emergency departments who are intoxicated or drug-affected.”

    Read more: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/top-stories/hospitals-overhauled-to-cope-with-drug-and-alcohol-violence/story-e6frfkp9-1226561254527#ixzz2IuFrpzkG

    The strategy will also incorporate tougher drug and medicine controls due to the increasing numbers of people misusing pharmaceutical drugs. They will also be cracking down on prescription drug abuse. Prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited. According to an American national survey, prescription medications, such as those used to treat pain, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety, are being abused at such a high rate that it is second only to marijuana among illicit drug use.

    Additional specialised medical staff located at 21 emergency departments will help get the situation under control and deal with those intoxicated patients that are dangerous and present a risk.

    The government’s strategy will ensure that people are not just treated for the injuries caused by their intoxication or drug abuse but it attempts to tackle the root of the issue and provide medical staff with the support they need to help these people.

     

  • How do You Know When you’ve had Enough

    Knowing when to quit is an important quality that we need to develop in order to become responsible drinkers. But the problem with this is that once we start drinking, the alcohol relaxes us and gives us a sense of euphoria which is difficult to quit. So the more we drink, the more we want and often we don’t feel inebriated until it’s too late. For this reason it’s best to count the number of standard drinks we consume, set ourselves a limit before we even start drinking and stick to it.

    Calculating a standard drink is the next thing we need to learn. It’s not rocket science and rather than counting glasses or bottles counting the number of standard drinks we consume is a more reliable way of keeping track of the actual quantity of alcohol we have already downed.

    Bottles, glasses and cans contain varying amounts of alcohol and so counting these can be misleading and not give us any indication of where we are in terms of the legal limits. Whereas a standard drink is a unit of measurement for measuring how much alcohol is contained in a drink, so it is a more reliable way of keeping track of the alcohol we consume.

    A standard drink by Australian standard is any drink containing 10 grams of alcohol. One standard drink always contains the same amount of alcohol regardless of the container size or alcohol type consumed. The number of standard drinks in an alcohol beverage is always shown on the label of the container.

    This is how you calculate it:

    Volume of container in litres

    X % alcohol by volume (ml/100ml)

    X 0.789*

     =number of standard drinks

    (Multiply the volume of the container in litres by the alcohol volume and multiply that by 0.789.)

    This will allow you to plan your consumption more carefully and be a responsible drinker.

     

  • RSA Staff: Avoid Prosecution by Asking for IDs

    Pub and Bar staff, in fact any staff of licenced venues need to be aware of the danger of not asking patrons for proof of their age, especially patrons who look under 23.

    While it is often easy to overlook serving a minor when the venue is busy, extra attention must be given to people who look like that may be around their early twenties to make sure no underage patrons slip through the cracks.

    It is important to remember that the Responsible Service of Alcohol legislation dictates that bar staff, security staff etc. – anyone that serves alcohol must ensure that they do not serve minors or face fines of up to $8000.

    Even just allowing underage patrons into licenced premises could cost bar staff $10,000 in fines and the management could receive an even bigger fine.

    It is illegal for a person under the age of 18 to be found in possession of, or drinking alcohol in a public place or to be found entering and remaining in a venue that supplies alcohol. People under the age of 18 are only permitted in a licensed venue under certain circumstances, such as a underage function approved by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, with a responsible adult who is over 18 years, they reside on the premises, are engaged in a training program in hospitality or training for the purposes of employment or work experience or unaccompanied, in a licensed restaurant during ordinary trading hours (7am to 11pm).

    If a person under the age of 18 is found to be breaking any of the laws outlined above, they may also be fined $500.

     

  • SA Pubs Concerned About Tough New Trading Conditions

    New late night trading conditions have raised concern among publicans in SA. The new code is aimed at making entertainment districts a safer and healthier environment for patrons and keeping the public safe. The number of alcohol fuelled violent crimes and amount of social misconduct that occurred last year was unacceptable, with several people losing their lives in entertainment districts across the country. It is hoped these new late night trading restrictions will significantly impact the safety in these districts.

    However some publicans in South Australia are worried about the new late night trading conditions which they believe are too tough and too generalised across the country. The new conditions would be imposed state-wide at licenced venues as approved by Cabinet last year.

    Some of the most notable conditions laid out by the new code include banning promotions that are gender based such as “ladies nights”.  It is also now the licenced venues responsibility to protect patrons from drink spiking and providing them with free drinking water. Most of these conditions were already being carried out by most responsible publicans but there some new ones. Some publicans are afraid that the new code imposes the same restrictions on pubs regardless of where in the country they are and does not look at the specific needs of the pub or the area.

    This post from TheShout.com.au has more:

    South Australian pubs are concerned about tough new late night trading conditions that would apply to venues state-wide.

    The Draft Late Night Trading Code of Practice is the second tranche of reforms proposed for SA liquor licences. It is set to follow the introduction next week (January 18) of the General Code of Practice, which was approved by Cabinet last year.

    Australian Hotels Association (SA) general manager Ian Horne told TheShout most publicans feel “pretty comfortable” with the general code.

    It includes requirements to provide free cool drinking water to patrons, bans “gender-based” drinks promotions like ladies nights, and sets out the responsibility of venues to protect patrons from drink spiking.

    “It’s a formalising of what many pubs have already been doing, there’s been a voluntary code in since place the late 1990s,” Horne said.

    “It now becomes mandatory so it effectively has the same power as being a condition of your licence.”

    But he said the late night code proposes very severe measures including statewide lockouts at 3am, mandatory metal detection on 200-plus capacity venues, as well as requirements relating to non-breakable drinkware and CCTV.

    “Unfortunately what’s being proposed is just a statewide blanket, it fails to look at specific needs of specific areas,” said Horne.

    “What would apply in Hindley street, which is the equivalent of Sydney’s Kings Cross, would also apply in Ceduna on the far west coast,” he said.

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2013/01/11/article/SA-pubs-condemn-late-night-code/EGDZNJIILB.html

    In addition to enforcing the new late night trading code, waitrons and other staff of licenced venues should know when to refuse service to a patron in order to serve alcohol responsibly. Responsible service of alcohol is also a vital part of publican’s duties. Waitrons and bartenders should be skilled in identifying the signs of intoxication and when to refuse service. There should be consensus among staff as to what these signs are and which customers are to be refused alcohol.

    All staff of licenced venues from serving staff to security should be in possession of their RSA certificate and be able to apply these rules to their work. Both staff and licensees will be held liable for any RSA breaches or serving alcohol to banned patrons in addition to enforcing the new late night trading code.

     

     

  • Only Way to Serve Alcohol Responsibly

    RSA Training

     

    Although we don’t like to admit it, especially when we’re having a good time, alcohol is a drug. It’s a depressant, and when it is taken in excess, it fills the body with toxins. Your body reacts as it would to any drug overdose, attempting to metabolize and get rid of the toxins.

     


    The liver is the organ that undertakes this task of removing the alcohol from the body. That is why drinking in moderation is so important. Excess and binge drinking can cause irreparable damage to the liver, resulting in other life threatening conditions.

     


    Normally a healthy liver removes alcohol at the rate of one standard drink per hour but not so with a damaged liver.  This willvary according to a person’s size, gender and general health.

     


    What people often don’t remember is that it takes time for them to sober up, this is especially important before driving. Allowing customers to become intoxicated and giving them an hour to sober up is not an effective strategy. Depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, and other physiological factors people may still have alcohol in their systems the next morning.

     


    The old wive’s tales do not work, like taking a cold shower or drinking black coffee etc. Servers of alcohol should understand that these beliefs are false. Once drunk, only time will allow a person to recover as the alcohol is expelled from the system by the body’s organs.

     


    If customers do not have the time to allow this process to occur, they need to pace themselves, rather than drink at a rate faster than the body can break down the alcohol. You as a server have a responsibility to ensure you do not contribute to this drunken state and adhere to your RSA training.

     

  • What Every Good Bartender Should Know

    Source: Jazz Guy

    Why is it that certain people can make a lucrative career out of bartending while for others it is just a temporary means of making ends meet? It is probably because some bartenders have learnt what it takes to make an average bartender, great.

    Tips to help become a better bartender:

    1. When a customer sits down acknowledge them and greet them pleasantly. Never ignore customers, this is rude for any hospitality industry worker, especially one that depends of people liking them for tips.

    2. Learn to multitask. Take more than one order at a time and be accurate. Don’t bring people the wrong drinks and don’t take long. Also treat people equally and serve them in the order they arrive.

    3. Nothing is more important than being polite. Most people can forgive a mistake but not many can forgive rudeness or just plain aloofness in a bartender.

    4. Learn your product. Just like a salesperson you should know the brands you stock in your bar and be able to tell the difference between different varieties.

    5. Take pride in your appearance. This goes without saying but in the hospitality industry, appearance is everything. Ensuring that you are neat and clean is important because your appearance reflects on your organisation and your employer.

    6. Thank all patrons for their business before they leave and say goodbye.

     

  • Alcohol Servers, Be Prepared for Christmas Rush

    Be Prepared for Christmas Rush

     

    Christmas is around the corner and according to marketing research liquor buying will increase by about 10 per cent this year. This growth can be attributed to Australians growing thirst for premium drinking options. In fact after online sales, liquor sales are expected to top the growth charts this year, according to marketing research company,IBISWorld.

     

    Although liquor sales are always good at this time of the year, the growing popularity of premium liquor brands signals an above average increase this year according to researchers. Aussies preferences in premium wines, cocktails, craft beers and cider are strongly influencing revenue growth in the industry.

     

    Over the next year it has been forecasted that Australians will spend about $33 billion on alcohol and most of that will be in the form of premium drinks rather than traditional beer. And over the next 5 years $39.9 billion in alcohol spending is expected regardless of the increase in alcohol costs.

     

    So for alcohol industry stakeholders the focus should be on cocktail and other premium alcoholic drinks which should in turn correspond with an increase in alcohol revenue.

     

    The researchers also found that over the next year around $15.9 billion of the expected $33.1 billion revenue is to be spent in bar and pubs, good news for licenced venue owners. Liquor retailers can look forward to a $17.2 billion rise in alcohol income, for this reason the entire industry can expect growth and good festive season profits.

     

  • Hidden Camera Reveals Underage Drinking

    I recently found an interesting story that parallels the situation we are currently faced with in O, regarding underage drinking. A hidden camera investigation was carried out in a Canadian restaurant which revealed that underage drinking is a problem in that country as well. Australia is not the only country battling to come to a solution to the woes that result from teenage drinking and more specifically the serving of alcohol to minors.

     

    The hidden cameras revealed that a number of establishments are selling alcohol to minors and perhaps a similar approach can be implemented in problem areas in Oz to root out the guilty parties.

     

    This post on Cbc.ca explains in more detail

     

    In the investigation, a group composed of three 18-year-olds and one 17-year-old was sent to four establishments. The CBC asked the three males and one female to order alcohol, but not to drink it if they were served. Provincial laws prohibit anyone under 19 years old from being served or sold liquor.

     

    All four teens went together to Ebisu restaurant on Robson Street in Vancouver where they ordered a pitcher of beer and were served within minutes of sitting down.

     

    The same night, the Keg Steakhouse & Bar on Still Creek Avenue in Burnaby served red wine to two of the 18-year-olds, who went in as a couple. Another Keg waitress served beer to the two other teens who were sitting in the bar area.All four left their drinks untouched and later left.

     

    Outside the restaurant afterwards, the teens offered their own theories about why they were served.

     

    “It was just really casual,” said Jack Hu, 17. “I guess [the server] just thought we were older.”

     

    Aidan Ponton, 18, said he suspected the waitress sympathized with them.

     

    “I guess she just saw us, just some younger kids and she knew what it was like, she’d been in that position before and she didn’t hesitate,” Ponton said.

     

    These four teens checked out four restaurants in a CBC investigation. (CBC)

     

    Ben Roberts, 18, saw a monetary motive.”They are making money off of it, a lot of money and I don’t think that’s their main priority to obey the law.”

     

    “[If] your employer’s not forcing you to ID then you’re not going to,” said 18-year-old Katherine Gillard.

     

    When later confronted with the results of the CBC News investigation, the management at Ebisu said they were shocked and embarrassed and promised to be more vigilant in checking identification.

     

    A Keg spokesperson admitted its servers did not follow procedures and the restaurant chain will now redouble its training.

     

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/11/15/bc-hidden-camera-underage-drinking.html

     

    In Canada similar to Oz, there are hefty fines for selling alcohol to minors which doesn’t seem to be enough of a deterrent to sellers. In Canada the penalty for a first offence ranges from $7,500 to $10,000 (Canadian) or a 10-to-15- day licence suspension. Licensees can either accept the penalty or request an enforcement hearing.

     

    The incident in Canada has resulted in the restaurant assuring that it will increase the training of its staff. However in Australian responsible service of alcohol training is mandatory for every person serving or selling alcohol.

     

    One of the biggest benefits of RSA training is that it teaches you to serve alcohol in a manner that maintains the good reputation of the establishment. Ensuring that you do not suffer the consequences that come from serving alcohol to unduly intoxicated patrons or minors means that you will enjoy a pleasant working environment and be confident that each time you go to work you will be safe rather than being exposed to alcohol fuelled violence.

     

     

  • Alcoholism’s Effect on The Community

    The Effects of Alcoholism

     

    Recently alcoholism’s effect on the aboriginal community has been a huge topic of debate because of the negative consequences these communities have been suffering which has made unemployment and other social problems more prevalent.

     

    But alcoholism is not limited to disenfranchised communities, they can affect people from any social standing or background.

     

    Alcoholism is a universal problem and scientists believe that an addictive gene present in some people makes them more vulnerable to developing an addiction.

     

    Not only does alcohol affect a person’s health, cause accidents and diseases etc, it also has an effect on the wider community.  A range of adverse social consequences exist for both the over-drinker and for others in the community. These consequences include harm to family members, children and to friends and workmates, as well as to bystanders and strangers occasionally. The entertainment districts are an example of the harm that can be done to innocent people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and fall victim to alcohol fuelled violence, assaults and brawls.

     

    Adverse effects on the community include noise, litter, offensive behaviour, vandalism, aggression, petty crime, assaults and major road safety issues. In fact drink driving is one of the greatest causes of deaths on our roads and especially affects the teenage population, according to statistics.

     

    Alcohol is often linked to an increase in crime, with studies suggesting that alcohol is involved in up to half of all violent crimes like domestic violence.

     

    So alcohol servers have a responsibility to keep excessive amounts of alcohol out of the hands of alcoholics. Be cautious, alert and remember your RSA training because if you don’t, you are contributing to these negative consequences on the community.