Element 4 Strategies to prevent intoxication and underage drinking

1. Element 4 Strategies to prevent intoxication and underage drinking

2. Noticeable Signs p69

3. HOW ELSE TO DETERMINE IF p69 • SOMEONE IS INTOXICATED • Make observations: • Does the person smell of alcohol? • How long has the person been drinking? • When did the person enter the premises? • Was the person affected by alcohol when they arrived? • What type of alcohol has been consumed? • How much alcohol have you seen the person drink?

4. Traffic Light Control for Patron Management p70 Rating Behaviour – Green (G) Orange (O) Red (R) Happy & relaxed G O R Noisy loud inappropriate comments G O R Excessive laughter/giggling G O R Slurred speech G O R Swearing at employees G O R Changing drinking patterns G O R Vomiting G O R Causing customer complaints G O R Inappropriate sexual advances G O R Unable to light a cigarette G O R Unable to sit upright or walk G O R UnconsciousG O R If a person shows a number of Orange light warning signs it is a strong clue they are becoming intoxicated. OK Warming Stop

5. Reasonable Belief p93 ‘The law requires you to form a reasonable belief that the person is intoxicated as a result of alcohol consumption. It is all right if you refuse service to a person on the basis of this belief, even if you are wrong. Reasonable Person – is this you? Refusal of service should not be discriminatory The right to go to the Anti-Discrimination Board

6. Strategies for Preventing Intoxication p70 • Offering alternatives to full-strength alcohol – • including mandatory free water, food and • non-alcoholic drinks; • Promoting food, low-alcohol and • non-alcoholic drinks; • Restricting the types of alcohol available; • Implementing voluntary entry restrictions; • Restricting the number of drinks that can be • purchased at one time.

7. Strategies for Preventing Intoxication • Waiting for patrons to re-order their drinks, • Incorporate RSA style messages in venue • advertising and promotions; • Employing (RSA) marshals to monitor patrons • and consumption levels; • Conducting security patrols; • Offer discounted food and soft drinks; • Ensuring any liquor promotions comply with the • NSW liquor laws.

8. Tips for Checking Evidence of Age p73 • Examine the document in a well-lit area; • Do not inspect the document through the • window face in a person’s wallet – ask them • to remove it; • Take the document from the patron and • take your time examining it; • Make sure the document includes a hologram • or other security feature;

9. Tips for Checking Evidence of Age • Compare the photo with the patron presenting • the document – do they match? • Feel around the photo, birth date and edges of • the card, especially a card enclosed in plastic • (laminate): • Calculate the date of birth. • (Remember: photo cards, driver licences and passports can be issued to under 18s).

10. Saying ‘NO’ to underage drinkers p74 Step 1 – Be Alert and Proactive Step 2 – Stand Your Ground Step 3 – Avoid Blame Step 4 – Ask for Evidence of Age

11. House Policies p75 • Reflect the principles implemented by the venue and can cover such things as: • Not serving minors or intoxicated patrons; • Not conducting irresponsible liquor promotions; • Ensuring quality food is always available; • Promoting safe transport options to patrons; • Offering discounted non alcoholic drinks; and • The venue’s approach to dealing with problem patrons.

12. Activity: Alternatives to full strength liquor.

13. Activity: Alternatives to full strength liquor Low Alcohol drinks: Light beer, super light beer, half nips Non-alcoholic drinks: Water Mocktails Soft drink Energy drinks Tea/coffee

14. Discussion At your place of employment, is there an in-house policy that you feel needs to be improved upon so that it better reflects the changes to the Liquor Laws and/or deal with RSA more effectively? What suggestions for improvement do you have?

15. Safe Transport Options p77 • Mini bus or courtesy bus • Offer to call a taxi, friend or • family member • Designated Driver program • Promote posters/programs to discourage • drink driving • Is walking home a safe option? • NO

16. Liquor Accords and RSA p78 • An agreement/arrangement between local stakeholders; • Improving safety and reducing alcohol related violence and anti-social behaviour; • Practical solutions; • Deal with local problems/issues.

17. Preventing Drink Spiking p79 • Do not encourage or promote irresponsible • behaviour; • Remove unattended glasses; • Report suspicious behaviour; • Follow RSA principles; • Do not sell or promote alcohol in a way • that leads to rapid consumption; • Be aware of unusual requests, such as beer with a shot of vodka; • Decline patron requests to add alcohol to a person’s drink

18. Refusal of Service – The main reasons p80 • The law requires it • Safety of your patrons • Safety of staff • Creating of a good atmosphere • Civil litigation • Remember that laws are in place to back you up • And these laws are enforced.

19. Refusal of Service – Early detection p80 • Early detection and intervention – observe your patrons, their appearance and behaviour for intoxication: • On arrival / entry; • When they are served; • Speed of drinking / drinking patterns changes; • Changes in behaviour; • Types of alcohol being ordered.

20. Refusal of Service – Erratic drinking patterns • Also an early sign of possible intoxication these can include: • Mixing a wide range of drink types; • Drinking quickly and asking for more immediately; • Ordering more than one drink for self-consumption; • Ordering multiple samples; • Ordering large samples; • Ordering ‘triple shots’ or extra large drinks; • Mixing alcohol consumption with consumption of prescription or illicit drugs; and • Consistently returning to the tasking site to request more samples.

21. Do’s for Professional Refusal of Service p81 • Obtain agreement from a supervisor and notify security (if available) before speaking to the patron; • Be polite – avoid value judgements and arguments; • Point to posters / signs behind the bars / liquor service points to reinforce your decision; • Report the refusal of service to the supervisor or manager; • Explain the reasons for refusal of service (e.g. continual bad language, inappropriate behaviour);

22. Don’ts for Professional Refusal of Service p81 • Call your patron ‘a drunk’. Warn them politely that their behaviour is unacceptable; • Be persuaded to give them ‘one last drink’ after you have told them that they have had enough; • Raise your voice. If they raise theirs lower yours; • When you refuse entry or service to a patron – you should always be sure of your reasons for the refusal. These reasons must not be discriminatory (race, sex etc). • Remember – be reasonable and use common sense.

23. Refusal of Service - Scenarios Scenario 1: A group of men arrive celebrating a bucks party. The best man approaches you and asks you for 6 schooners of beer and to put a nip of vodka into one of the schooners. Scenario 2: A group of 4 well dressed ladies are having lunch at your establishment and they have already consumed 6 bottles of wine between them. They now want to order a $250 bottle of your best champagne. Scenario 3: A couple, an older man with a younger woman, are having dinner. She has been drinking orange juice all night, he has been drinking beer. When the woman goes to the bathroom, the man asks you for a vodka and orange and another beer.

24. Activity: Measuring the Outcomes of RSA.

25. Activity: Measuring the Outcomes of RSA Benefits to: Community: safer, reduction in complaints Neighbours: safer, reduction in complaints Operation/Premises: safer & happier environment, increased patrons, reduced violence and damage to property Employees: feel safer and happier, professional approach Patrons: reduction in excessive consumption, anti-social behaviour, drink driving, underage drinking Owner: a venue people want to visit, less complaints

26. Summary p83 • Determination of intoxication must be made on the • merits of what is observed. You must use your judgment • to evaluate each situation. • Each establishment will have their own House Policies on how to • prevent intoxication – make sure you are familiar with • them. • Understanding and practicing good RSA will help to reduce: • Underage drinking • Drink Spiking • Refusal of Service • Maintain professional industry standards, being reasonable and • using common sense will help.

27. Revision Questions • What are some examples of good RSA strategies? • What are the steps to saying NO to underage • drinking? • 3. What are some benefits to practicing RSA? • 4. What are some safe transport options? • 5. How do you define ‘drink spiking’?

28. Thank You For completing your RSA course with Abbey College We wish you good luck with your future hospitality career. Remember to be responsible!