On the OLCC website is an extensive list of tips for safe party hosting . These include info on recognizing signs of intoxication , how to intervene to protect guests , means for safe rides and the liabilities that hosts face .

“ We frequently bring out the tips around holidays known for alcohol use ,” says Christie Scott , OLCC spokesperson .

This includes prom and graduation seasons . The OLCC stresses that safety begins with parents making sound decisions . “ We want to make sure that they know the laws about party hosting ,” Scott says .

For instance , Oregon allows parents within their own residence to give alcohol to their children . But they cannot do this outside of their home , or provide alcohol to other people ’ s children under any circumstances .

“ There ’ s this misconception that parents can provide a ‘ safe party ’ for their kids and their friends ,” Scott says . “ Some parents still rent party buses for their kids , or hotel rooms or boats . We need them to know that is not a good idea .”

It ’ s also a bigger legal problem . “ The social-host liability laws are really strict in this state , and they ’ re even more severe if a host has given alcohol to a minor ,” Scott says .

Many people worry about fines from the police of OLCC should they get caught serving to minors . Instead , Scott says , they should fear lawsuits from third parties , should an intoxicated guest leave and cause harm to themselves or the community .

The OLCC communicates all this through multiple platforms . They leverage TV ads , bus banners , billboards and website advertisements . They post content to all major social media platforms . They are particularly proud of their You- Tube page , which has been active for nine years and counts 70 videos .

Scott says the commission could never accomplish all these responsibility messages without the help of industry partners . Diageo , Brown-Forman , and Pernod Ricard have long partnered with the OLCC on responsible drinking campaigns , Scott says , especially in the fight against drunk driving . Locally , the commission has worked with Hood River Distillers on promoting public safety .

“ They ’ re able to provide us with the funding to put out our messages , and in return we provide them with legitimacy ,” she explains . “ By partnering together we bring out the best of both worlds . Because , of course , they don ’ t want people drinking unsafely either .”

The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration has invested a great amount of time and effort in public education . A few years

BY JEREMY NEDELKA ago , the agency finalized the development of a DUI simulator , which was funded by grants from State Farm , NABCA and the WV Governor ’ s Highway Safety Program . The multi-screen simulator allows students to safely experience the difficulties drivers may encounter at various blood alcohol levels .

The simulator is effective because it capitalizes on the popularity of video games among the younger generation and allows students to have a physical experience , instead of just being lectured to about the dangers of driving under the influence .

Since the program ’ s launch in 2010 , the simulator has traveled to nearly every high school in West Virginia at least once , reaching more than 25,000 students . It ’ s also been used at various

Another popular WVABCA educational outreach effort is the agency ’ s “ No School Spirits ” PSA contest . Designed to complement the DUI simulator program , the contest is open to all West Virginia high schools . Students are encouraged to submit an essay or video explaining why their school should be chosen to help produce a PSA addressing the issues of underage drinking and DUI . Funded by the same organizations as the simulator , the contest awards $ 5,000 to first place , $ 2,500 for second place and a $ 1,000 third place prize to the winning schools . Additionally , the first place entry is produced as a televised PSA that runs during prom season .

In addition to these programs for high school students , the agency has produced two grant-funded training videos specifically for on-premise and off-premise licensees , showing how to identify fake IDs and prevent over-service . The WVABCA also works closely with colleges and universities , state and local law enforcement agencies , community coalitions and other organizations to promote messages centered on responsible drinking and serving .

14 StateWays | www . stateways . com | Drink Responsibly 2017