Free retail beverage service training

MEXICO -- The "Seller Server Training for Off-premise Licensees" is designed to better equip management, store clerks and licensees on identifying and preventing violations of specific liquor laws with an emphasis on underage and high risk drinkers.

The training will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday at the Mexico Police Department, 3 Recreation Dr., Mexico. Registration is required and lunch will be provided. Certificates good for three years will be provided to all that complete post-test.

Along with learning about these laws, training is provided on some ways to identify minors and visibly intoxicated persons and the importance of having good policy to refer to when dealing with them.

The training often leads to reduced insurance rates. More importantly however, it will help reduce the risk of making costly and/or tragic unlawful sales.

The key points in the training include:

* Identifying minors and intoxicated patrons;

* Intervention to prevent a patrons from drinking and driving under the influence;

* How alcohol is ingested and metabolized by the body;

* What alcoholism is and how alcohol affects the body;

* False ID detection and carding policy;

* The importance of good written policies;

* The Liquor Liability Act;

* This is a 4.5-hour State of Maine Approved Program.

For more information, contact Sandra Witas at River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition 364-7408 or rvhccwitas@gwi.net.