Serving Safely & Responsibly

Keeping Alcohol Out of the Hands of Minors

“C an I see your ID?” can be a refreshing and somewhat amusing question for those of us who ‘comb gray hairs.’ Such a request can catch some customers off guard; as asking them to rummage through their purses, pockets or ‘fanny packs’ is never a fun chore. However, keeping alcoholic beverages out of the hands of minors is a serious responsibility that front-of-the-house staff take on and must monitor throughout their shifts.

Alcohol is the number one abused controlled substance by teens. A 2019 Center for Disease Control survey revealed that 29 percent of high school students reported drinking alcohol within the last 30 days while a shocking 17 percent rode with a driver who had been drinking. These statistics show how serious the issue is and how vigilant hospitality businesses need to remain to prevent alcohol from getting into minors’ hands.

So why is keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors so important? Besides being illegal, alcohol drastically impacts minors’ ability to make sound judgements and sets them down a dangerous path for their future. Research shows that people who start drinking before the age of 15 are five times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder later in life.

To confront this problem, restaurant and bar owners need to be proactive by ensuring there is an ongoing discussion with frontof-the-house staff. Bars and restaurants should:  Ensure your staff is up to date on their Alcohol Service Permit training

 Set regular check-in meetings with your frontline staff to discuss your business’ atmosphere

 Ask staff to immediately report any attempts by minors to purchase alcohol to management

 Avoid overcrowding your business

 If you are holding a large event, consider implementing ID checks, wrist bands, or establish drinking areas where minors are not allowed

 Talk to your OLCC Inspector or local law enforcement about any concerning trends

Even with all that effort, minors still can be deceitful. Fake IDs are a common occurrence, and some minors look older than they actually are. College towns are particularly prone to fake ID problems and our Inspectors have received piles of these IDs from businesses. This is why it is so vital for bar and restaurant operators to stay on top of employee training, so staff are prepared to catch a fake and prevent a sale.

FAST AND EASY TRAINING TO WORK IN OREGON RESTAURANTS

• Available in English or Spanish • Test on a computer or mobile device • Stop and start anytime • Pay when you pass • Print or save your card

OregonFoodHandler.com

Frontline staff should feel empowered to ask questions and trust their instincts when in doubt. Asking a questionable patron details about their ID can reveal a lot.

• Was the patron able to correctly identify the birthdate and address on the ID?

• Did they get anything wrong or hesitate?

• Does something about their appearance (e.g., eye color, hair, height) seem off from the ID?

Ultimately, all servers should remember they have the right to refuse a questionable sale.

Due to the serious impacts of underage drinking, the OLCC is charged with conducting minor decoy operations. In order to carry out this charge, the OLCC employs minors between 18-20 years old who look under the age of 26. These decoys attempt to purchase alcohol or marijuana at OLCC licensed businesses. If asked for identification, the minor decoy shows their own valid Oregon identification, which indicates they are underage. Minor decoys do not disguise their real age or encourage the sale of alcohol or marijuana. While not the most popular part of the agency’s mission, minor decoy operations uncover when businesses become too lax and forget the seriousness of their responsibilities. When marijuana became legal, retailers had a great deal to learn about running a front-facing legal operation. One challenge that was identified quickly was preventing sales to minors. As reports came in about such suspected sales, the OLCC responded by initiating minor decoy operations on the budding market.

In late 2017, the first set of operations showed that the industry was not taking the issue seriously with an 81 percent compliance rate. The Commission responded by increasing the penalty for any sale to a minor and engaged in a campaign to educate licensees and worker permit holders of their responsibilities. In January of 2018, the Commission reengaged in minor decoy operations and saw compliance improve to 89 percent.

Establishing a name for a business takes time, dedication, and hard work. Not being proactive and enabling minors to drink in your establishment can endanger all of that work and put lives at risk. It is vital for the health of Oregonians that the hospitality industry work to prevent minors from obtaining alcoholic beverages. OLCC Inspectors are available to meet with your staff to provide education and tips on how you can prevent selling

alcohol to minors.  OREGON LIQUOR AND CANNABIS COMMISSION

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Help your team protect against foodborne illness outbreaks with ORLA's ServSafe training. This course blends the latest FDA Food Code, food safety research and years of food sanitation training experience. Your team will learn to implement essential food safety practices and create a culture of food safety. This certification meets the “Demonstration of Knowledge” and “Person in Charge” requirements of the Oregon Food Code and includes additional risk management training. Certification is valid statewide for five years and also satisfies the food handler requirement.

> Register Online for In-Person Classes at OregonRLA.org/ServSafe <

OCTOBER 2022:

Monday, Oct 24

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM PST • Wilsonville

NOVEMBER 2022:

Monday, Nov 14

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM PST • Wilsonville

DECEMBER 2022:

Monday, Dec 12

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM PST • Wilsonville

Must register ten business days prior to class in order to receive pre-study materials. Materials are sent after payment is received. Quickest registration is online at OregonRLA.org/ServSafe, or mail your completed form and payment to: Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, 8565 SW Salish Lane, Suite 120, Wilsonville, OR, 97070.

ON-SITE PRIVATE CLASS:

If you have 20 or more employees for the ServSafe course (and you have a classroom setting) we can provide the trainer at no additional cost! Call ORLA for details at 503.682.4422.

Payment includes ServSafe book and exam. No refunds. Registrant may reschedule (up to six months later), or transfer registration (with book) to another person. Re-test option available for those who have taken an ORLA class and did not pass the exam. Questions? Call 503.682.4422 or visit ORLATraining.org