When the Maine Legislature enacted the Maine Liquor Liability Act, it concluded that education played just as big of a role as enforcement of these laws. Knowing the law and avoiding violations, such as selling alcohol to underage people, is the best way to escape the problems and risks that come with underage drinking.
To enforce liquor sales laws, local law enforcement conduct random compliance checks, in which underage young adults enter local establishments and attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages.
Persons caught selling alcohol to underage buyers are cited, and the business is referred to the Maine Office of Public Safety Liquor Licensing Unit for administrative actions that result in fines.
In order to ensure the proper education of liquor licensees and the prevention of underage sales, the state has established a curriculum for responsible-server training programs based on best practices.
In conjunction with local law enforcement, Communities Against Substance Abuse sponsors Responsible Beverage Seller/Server (RBS) trainings that have trained more than 400 people, dramatically reducing the occurrence of sale-to-minor violations.
Along with educating licensees on best serving practices, Maine liquor laws and the importance of policies, RBS trainings provide a vehicle to address today’s greatest threat: high quality fake IDs.
Fake IDs pose a threat to businesses by making them vulnerable to identify theft and theft by deception, and making unknowing sales to minors, while communities are threatened by the negative and potentially tragic results of those sales. Educating licensees on how to identify and legally retain the highquality, forged documents is the best way to combat the problem.
There have been many positive outcomes from community sponsored RBS trainings.
Perhaps one of the best results are the relationships developed with local businesses, law enforcement and public health specialists that address alcohol and drug abuse concerns and ultimately make their communities healthier and safer through a collaborative effort.
Selling alcohol is a privilege that has very specific responsibilities and liabilities attached to it. Parents and community members can help remind clerks and waitstaff about the importance of checking IDs by saying “thank you for carding.”
Those concerned about the absence of checking IDs are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or send an anonymous tip at http://www.accesshealthme.o rg/etip.aspx.
Getting “carded” is an important measure that serves to protect the health and safety of our friends, families and children.
CASA is the substance abuse prevention task force of Access Health, the local Healthy Maine Partnership, which offers resources for retailers, parents and the community. Information about Maine liquors laws and the liabilities and fines that could occur after selling or providing alcohol to minors is available at www.midcoastcasa.org, along with details about the upcoming RBS trainings for sellers on Sept. 11 and for servers on Oct. 15.
FRANK LYONS is a retired
police officer who consults on Maine
liquor laws compliance and
enforcement.
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