Tag: nevada

Are You Prepared for the Holiday Blues?

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

During November, December and January, the holiday blues can affect many people causing them to self-medicate or turn to drugs and alcohol for relief. The odds of having drugs in your establishment are not only greater during the holidays, but also with the rise in non-medical use of prescription drugs. If you work in or run an establishment that serves or sells alcoholic beverages for on-premise or off-premise consumption, you should always take precautions to safeguard your company, yourself and your community. 

As you know, drugs bring unwanted trouble into an establishment, such as: negative press/media, violence, fights, overdoses, higher levels of intoxication, etc. Because the holiday months are peak periods for drug and alcohol use, you should pay even more attention and observe what is going on around you.

Illicit drug use is widespread. Here are some national and Nevada specific stats that are alarming and we’ve included links to pictures of these drugs so that you can identify them when you see them.

  • In 2009, an estimated 21.8 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug users, meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview. [2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)] 
  • Nevada ranks 4th in the nation in non-medical use of prescription pain relievers in people ages 18 to 25. [2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)]
  • The most commonly misused pain relievers are: Vicodin (acetaminophen and hydrocodone), OxyContin (oxycodone), Tylenol 3 (acetaminophen and codeine phosphate), and Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen). 
  • In the years 2002 through 2006, Nevada ranked highest in the nation aged 12 or older reporting methamphetamine use in the past year. [2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)] 
  • Marijuana was used by 76.6 percent of current illicit drug users and was the only drug used by 58.0 percent of them. [2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)] 
  • In August 2007, an NSDUH report on worker substance use indicated that 28% of full time workers (age 18 to 64) in the accommodations and food services, arts and entertainment industry had used illicit drugs in the past month.  [2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)] 

So, how can you keep drugs out without having to search and frisk everyone who comes through your doors?

  • Partner with local authorities and train your staff—Local law enforcement are your partners and can help you provide training to your employees.
  • Communicate expectations—Make sure that your new employee orientation and employee handbook covers ways to handle drugs in your establishment. Clearly state that drug use is not tolerated and give employees information about who to notify when someone (whether a guest or a colleague) is using illegal drugs on the establishment’s property.
  • Increase your security staff—Your security staff should be present, visible to your guests and well-trained in detecting the behaviors and indications of drug use.
  • Estimate BAC—Remember to calculate the BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of your guests. If you notice that someone is showing the effects of the alcohol sooner than you expected, then you should be cautious as they may be taking prescription pain relievers or using some other substance.
  • Encourage reporting of suspicious behavior—You need the eyes and ears of your employees if you are going to keep drugs out of your establishment. Heighten their awareness and give them observation tips so that they are monitoring their surroundings and reporting suspicious or unusual behavior to security or management. Don’t forget to reward your employees for reporting concerns. What gets rewarded, gets repeated.
  • Post information about illicit drug use at your establishment—Hang posters about drug use and abuse and your company’s policies for illicit drug use at your establishment in restrooms and employee break rooms. 

What measures do you take to keep drugs out of your establishment?

Resources 

http://www.methresources.gov/nv.html 

http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/industry/worker.htm

http://mhds.nv.gov/dmdocuments/SANSDUHStateRankings.pdf

© 2010 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Did You Know That In Nevada Alcohol Education Cards Expire After Four Years?

Published on by TAM of Nevada1 Comment

Over 200,000 hospitality and service workers are employed in Clark County, most whom are required, by state law, to receive Alcoholic Beverage Awareness Training and carry an Alcohol Education Card. The Alcoholic Beverage Awareness Training Program is required for those who serve/sell alcoholic beverages or provide security services in casinos, restaurants, bars, clubs, and grocery/convenience stores in Clark and Washoe County. Many establishments also require anyone who handles alcoholic beverages and their managers and executive staff to carry cards.

The State of Nevada passed a law on July 1, 2007 which requires card holders to renew their training and be issued a new card every four years or four years from the date of issuance (testing). Thousands of cards have been issued over the years in the State of Nevada and may have invalid expiration dates from a former Clark County law that required training and card renewal every five years. 

Therefore, anyone who works in the industry and carries an Alcohol Education Card for their job should check the date that their card was issued. Cards issued by approved providers in 2005, 2006, and the first half of 2007 are either already expired and need to be renewed or will be up for renewal sooner than the expiration date that is shown on the card.  If it’s been more than four years, then it is time to take the training again and get a new card.

Important points as you consider how this information affects you:

  • Providers of the Alcoholic Beverage Awareness Training program and Alcohol Education Cards must be approved through Nevada’s Commission on Postsecondary Education. Cards issued by providers and provider locations not on the approved provider list could be deemed invalid.
  • If an auditor asks to see your card and it is expired, your employer (the licensee) could end up facing civil fines ranging from $500 to $5000 depending on the number of infractions. Your employer could fire you for not having a valid Alcohol Education Card. Keep in good standing with your employer and avoid potential job loss by making sure that your card is valid and up-to-date.
  • Training can be taken online if the provider has an approved online program.
  • All students must physically go to the provider’s approved school location to take an exam that is proctored and pass the proctored exam with a score of at least 75%.
  • Some employers have preferred providers that offer corporate discounts. Check with your employer before you register.
  • The program must be approved by the Commission on Postsecondary Education and should be no less than 3½ hours in duration, covering topics as specified for the approved program.

Applicable laws and sources of information can be found through the following URLs:

© 2010 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada