According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 8 percent of all drivers, as many as 17 million people, have driven drunk at least once during the past year. In the face of such sobering statistics, the Fairfield Police department in association with Fairfield University is offering a free workshop for local businesses titled "Training for Intervention Procedures" (TIPS) on Saturday, April 2 at Fairfield University's Baron Campus Center, Room 200, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

TIPS is a skill-training workshop designed to prevent drunk driving, underage drinking, and alcohol abuse. Event organizers said one of the most effective ways to help reduce underage drinking and drunk driving is to educate servers and sellers of alcohol beverages.

The town-wide event is the result of a collaborative partnership between Fairfield University and the Fairfield Police department, and for over 20 years, the national training program has been recognized by insurance companies, law enforcement, and the beverage alcohol industry as an effective tool in curbing drunk-driving and underage drinking.

Employees from liquor and grocery stores who participate in the program will gain the knowledge and confidence needed to recognize potential problems and how to safely intervene to prevent alcohol-related tragedies. Advantages of the four-hour training session include improved customer service, safer communities, and lower insurance premiums for businesses.

For more information contact Pam Paulmann, Fairfield Corps program coordinator at (203) 254 4000 ext. 2369 or e-mail at ppaulmann@fairfield.edu .

Posted On: 03-25-2011 11:03 AM

Volume: 43 Number: 255