Dec 5, 2008 2:29 pm US/Eastern
Bartending Schools Teach Students To Manage Drunks
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
An
I-Team investigation in November revealed bars that serve to drunk drivers here in eastern Massachusetts.
Chief Correspondent Joe Shortsleeve recently visited a bartending school where the students learn how NOT to serve drinks to drunks.
Part of the course requires learning when someone has had too much.
Tom Abisso is one of the instructors.
"It's the number one thing to look for…Owners are very concerned about this," Abisso said. "It's their livelihood!"
And he is right. Our
undercover I-Team investigation in November showed some bars serving drinks to people so drunk they could hardly stand up. We watched as police escorted drunks to waiting cabs.
State Alcohol Investigators say all bartenders should be certified by "
Serve Safe" or "
Tips," two popular online programs that teach bartenders how to manage drunks.
Abisso says, "It protects the patrons. It protects the establishment. It protects the owner and overall makes for a better experience."
Bar owners can save as much as 10 percent in business insurance if bartenders are certified. Experts say the chances of getting sued are also greatly diminished if bartenders are properly trained.
Nadine Riess is certified. She also says new touch screen technology on cash registers allows bartenders to keep better track, not only of the numbers of drinks, but the exact time they were ordered.
Reiss says, "You don't have to memorize this person had three of these, this one had three of those. It also lets you see how much alcohol is in the drink they are consuming."
So while the bartenders are watching the customers, State Alcohol Investigators say this holiday season they will continue to watch the bartenders.
This final note: the New England Bartending School graduates 600 students every year.
Check out the following resources for more information about responsible alcohol server's programs:
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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