TIPS Training Keyed To Preventing Alcohol Problems

By Andrew Gorosko

About 25 people this week took part in a training session for alcohol sales personnel, as well for people who serve alcohol to the public in bars and restaurants, on how to prevent alcohol-related problems from occurring.

The Newtown Police Department, the Newtown Prevention Council, and Newtown Youth & Family Services hosted the session in the main meeting room at Newtown Municipal Center on December 12.

The instructional program is known as TIPS, an acronym for Training for Intervention Procedures.

It provides training for the responsible service, sale, and consumption of alcohol. It is keyed to preventing intoxication, alcohol abuse, underage drinking, and drunk driving.

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut, Inc, sponsored the program.

People attending the event learned about factors that affect a person’s becoming intoxicated, such as physical size, gender, the rate of alcohol consumption, the strength of drinks, the use of drugs, and the consumption of food.

They also studied behavioral cues that signal intoxication, such as the lowering of inhibitions, impaired judgment, physical reactions, and physical coordination.

Participants viewed a series of videos on situations that they likely would encounter while selling or serving alcohol to the public. They then discussed those situations in considering how to best handle the situations.

Local stores, bars, and restaurants received personal invitations to send their staff to the TIPS training, according to police.

The TIPS program provides information on: compliance with state and local regulations, protection from alcohol liability lawsuits, penalties for alcohol violations, insurance premiums, improved customer service and satisfaction, and increased staff professionalism.

Information on the national TIPS program is available on the Internet at www.gettips.com.