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4/7/10, Conference Call/Web Meeting, 10:00 AM

Participants:  Steven Burritt (PIRE), Chris Paget (PIRE), Dana Krajack (DOR), Douglas O’Flaherty (Hospitality), Travis Poole (LRADAC/AET Coordinator), Kirsten Abderhalden (Anderson/Oconee Behavioral Health Services/AET Coordinator), Michael George (PIRE)

Review of FY ’09 local enforcement compliance check data

Data was presented by from DAODAS/PIRE’s annual state prevention report.  18.2% of the 7,121 alcohol compliance checks resulted in sales, a decrease over past years.

• About 7 of 10 compliance checks were done in convenience stores.
• Data showed that those areas with historical use of compliance checks had lower sales rate
• Appears that clerks are a little more vigilant at not selling cigarettes vs. other tobacco products
• Seems that clerks are more vigilant about not selling six- or twelve-packs than single units.
• About 10% of the time, clerks studied ID and continued to sell.
• The group reviewed idea about vertical licenses that we talked about a couple years ago. The problem with this was that the national Real ID issue has been slow moving, so DMV had been reluctant to make initial changes.
• For alcohol, restaurants sold most, then small grocery stores, then large grocery stores (reverse is true about small vs. large with tobacco checks)
• Clerk gender did not matter with alcohol sales.
• Perceived age of clerk mattered – those estimated by 15-20 were most likely to sell, followed by 65+ age range
• Only 5% of clerks asked said that they had had any merchant education training.
• Two things that are contributing to sales happening/not happening:
  • Whether  there is signage
  • Electronic age verification equipment to scan IDs

Proctoring guidelines for merchant education

The Dept. of Revenue has a handful of state-approved merchant education programs. For about 3 years, and based on a signed agreement, DAODAS has been responsible for reviewing curricula and then giving recommendations to DOR.

An issue that needs to be addressed is how to handle the approval when the class is not face-to-face and the certification test is non-proctored.  There is a possibility that the person taking the test may not be the one who is awarded certification.  DAODAS is look for guidance regarding guidelines on what might be acceptable in lieu of face-to-face proctoring, if anything.

Douglas voiced support for strict face-to-face proctoring, in part so that the training would hold up in a civil lawsuit.

Webcam proctoring services (like proctoru.com) were discussed as a way to monitor testing. Douglas pointed out that webcams do only point in one direction (for example, they don’t see the wall in front of the test-taker), so this might present some problems in terms of cheating if on-site proctoring is not used.

Dana voiced concern over non-proctored testing, but feels it’s very convenient to have online testing and would lead to more people being trained in good programs. Doug agreed that online is convenient, but proctoring part still needs to be in person, as is done with some other trades.

After much discussion, there was not clear consensus and the group was relatively small, so Steven recommended the discussions be summarized for the UDAG meeting for them to form a recommendation to DAODAS.

Retailer self-assessment document update

The document is still in development, primarily as Steven is trying to get an “endorsement” quote from SLED.

AET Blitz/Sticker Shock report

The purpose is to look for a way to raise the public’s awareness of underage drinking during heavy seasons such as prom and graduation. The campaign, entitled, “Out of Their Hands,” will take place from April 2 to 11. The closing press conference will be on April 14.

Some counties are incorporating a sticker shock campaign. Teens will go into stores with law enforcement and they will “sticker” alcohol inventory with reminders about purchasing for underage youth.  See:  www.outoftheirhands.com for information about state Alcohol Enforcement Teams’ activities this week.

Florida energy drink study

A University of Florida study in Gainesville was recently conducted that involved interviews with and breath tests of people coming out of bars on a weekend night. Those who reported drinking energy drinks with alcohol drinks were three times more likely to be intoxicated than those who just drank alcohol. They also said they had been drinking longer, drinking more, and were 4 times more likely to say they were driving home.

Other BST issues:  none

Discussion of open Chair position

Please contact Steven if any potential candidates for a new Chairperson come to mind.

The next meeting will be planned around SLED’s providing feedback of the retailer assessment guide.  If this has not taken place in due time, the next meeting will happen the next time need arises.