LYNNFIELD — Four local organizations are joining forces to help educate businesses about the ways they can recognize alcohol-related problems and intervene to prevent alcohol-related tragedies.
A Healthy Lynnfield, The Healthy Peabody Collaborative, The Tri-Town Council Coalition, and The North Reading Community Impact Team are offering free TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) training for businesses selling and/or serving alcohol.
The session will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Al Merritt Media and Cultural Center, 600 Market St. at MarketStreet Lynnfield.
“I find that businesses really care about their responsibilities,” said A Healthy Lynnfield Substance Use Prevention Coordinator Peg Sallade. “This training helps businesses with the people skills they need to ensure a comfortable, enjoyable environment for all patrons.”
TIPS is a dynamic skills-based training program designed to prevent intoxication, drunk driving, and underage drinking by enhancing the fundamental “people skills” of servers, sellers, and consumers of alcohol. TIPS gives individuals the knowledge and confidence they need to recognize potential problems along with effective intervention tools.
The training will be conducted by Mike Marcantonio, a certified TIPS trainer with Dram Shop Consultants.
“I’ve worked with Mike for a number of years and he’s very knowledgeable and engaging,” said Sallade. “For attendees, the in-person training provides an opportunity to be with others from the industry and share best practices.”
The training is open to establishments with liquor licenses in the communities of Lynnfield, Peabody, Boxford, Middleton, North Reading, and Topsfield. The focus of the customer-intervention component is designed for pouring establishments.
There is no charge for the training, but space is limited. Online registration is required at www.ahealthylynnfield.org/events.
Sallade said the training is an ideal opportunity for businesses to learn how to create safer environments when it comes to serving liquor.
“So while learning about how to properly ID customers and not to over-serve, they are essentially learning customer-service skills that result in a safe environment and good business practice,” said Sallade. “For A Healthy Lynnfield, it’s something we can offer businesses that is supportive.”
For more information contact Sallade at [email protected].
