Rules changes meant to increase training
On Nov. 9 the Missoulian ran an editorial titled "Training Can Combat Drunken Driving."
The editorial made a number of very important observations about
the responsibilities that sellers and servers of alcohol are legally
required to observe as part of the duty of selling alcohol.
The Department of Revenue is proposing some relatively modest rule
changes in return for the voluntary training of employees through
approved programs and registered trainers. The idea is to offer a
positive incentive to business owners to get their employees trained
annually within 30 days of hire in the responsible service and sale of
alcohol.
The Department of Revenue has been very active in promoting and
providing employee training, and they are to be commended for that. At
the same time, the hospitality and retail industries have also been
very active for many years in promoting and encouraging the same
training statewide.
Currently, an alliance of industry groups called the Coalition to
Promote Responsible Alcohol Service, has been working with the DOR and
is offering alcohol service training around the state using nationally
recognized and certified training programs to teach the responsible
service and sale of alcohol. Our coalition has scheduled trainings for
Great Falls (Nov. 16) and Bozeman (Nov. 17) next week, in Butte on Nov.
24, and in Missoula, Helena and Billings on Dec. 2, 9 and 16.
We are in complete agreement that employee training works, and is a
critical step in the process. We are able to provide that training
with classroom and on-line programs.
Just as important in the fight against underage consumption is the
enforcement of the existing laws related to the criminal possession and
abuse of alcohol. A 2008 government survey found that 69 percent of
minors aged 12-20 who obtained alcohol got it from their homes, friends
and families.
We think a balanced approach will produce more effective and
positive results than making the existing laws even more onerous for
hard working Montanans who are trying to be responsible business owners
and employees.
Ronna Alexander, Montana Convenience Store Association
Brad Griffin, Montana Restaurant and Retail Associations
Neil Peterson, Gaming Industry Association of Montana
Kristi Blazer, Montana Beer and Wine Distributors' Association
McKee Anderson, Montana Food Distributors Association
Bob Anderson, Montana Tavern Association
Stuart Doggett, Montana Innkeepers Association