Promoting safe alcohol practices is crucial for the industry . Alcohol poses a threat to underage individuals , along with people operating vehicles and / or overconsuming . Public safety is at risk , as is the proper development of children . Two critical causes , indeed .

How can the industry best safeguard against the harmful misuse of alcohol ? Supporting the regulatory efforts of government officials remains essential . Agencies tasked with overseeing alcohol markets are on the frontlines of protecting their states against unsafe alcohol use .

These agencies rightly crack down on bad actors : Businesses that knowingly serve underage customers and visibly intoxicated individuals , or businesses that break these laws due to bad management and poorly trained staff . These kinds of bars , restaurants and retailers require fines and re-education . If repeat or flagrant offenses occur , then stripping licenses should be considered .

Government agencies also lead the charge in important educational programs . These include necessary classes for employees at business that serve alcohol , teaching staff how to recognize and handle underage and intoxicated customers . Other programs visit schools across the state , informing students about the hazardous aspects of alcohol — especially on the subject of driving while under the influence .

But perhaps the most effective strategy that government agencies and their alcohol industry partners can pursue is promoting communication . In her excellent roundup of how control states have approached this matter ( page 7 ), our Jamie Stafford wrote about a Michigan program . Bluntly and effectively entitled “ Talk Sooner ,” this program encourages parents to discuss the dangers of drugs and alcohol with their children sooner than parents may have otherwise .

Michigan hung posters for “ Talk Sooner ” at rest stops and gas stations throughout the state . The goal is to spur discussions during car rides , when children and parents are normally chatting anyways . In this manner , the program encourages valuable conversations at a convenient family time . ( And , fine , also when kids are trapped in the car with their guardians .)

Advocating safe alcohol practices is a multi-pronged attack . Techniques mentioned in this editorial and throughout our annual Drink Responsibly supplement help defend public safety , while lowering the chances that children experiment dangerously and risk their developments . It ’ s an enormous undertaking that requires collaboration across the industry , as demonstrated on the pages that follow .

12

By Melissa Dowling

By Jamie Stafford

Kyle Swartz Editor , Off-Premise

Drink Responsibly 2023 3