Minor decoys visited six alcohol retailers in Vista last month, making purchases at two of the locations. It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone younger than 21 years of age. The operation was carried out under the supervision of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).
On the roadways, the number of alcohol-and-drug-related crashes in San Diego County reached more than 400 in 2021 alone, exceeding the number from the previous year. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office says nearly 40 deaths were caused by people driving under the influence that same year.
Training for those who sell or serve alcohol is a key component of preventing alcohol-related harm and is mandated by a combination of state and local laws.
To combat these issues, the cities of Oceanside and Vista are renewing their focus on employee training, by sending reminder letters to alcohol licensees.
Responsible Beverage Sales and Service (RBS) training and Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) training provide essential information including preventing sales to minors, properly checking identification, recognizing signs of an already intoxicated person, legal responsibilities regarding illicit drug activity at licensed locations, and managing liability
The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce is a strong advocate for training and education. CEO Scott Ashton says, “A well-trained workforce reduces liability for our business owners and creates a safer community.”
In Oceanside, 369 businesses are licensed to sell alcohol. In Vista, there are 200 alcohol licensees. This includes both On-Sale licenses for bars and restaurants and Off-Sale licenses for stores and markets.
ABC offers two different training programs that meet state and local requirements:
For On-Sale employees and managers, RBS training is available online from ABC at www.abc.ca.gov/education/rbs/.
For Off-Sale employees and managers, LEAD training is available either online or in-person. ABC provides online training at https://www.abc.ca.gov/education/lead-training/. Vista Community Clinic’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention Program can facilitate in-person training. For details, contact John Byrom at jbyrom@vcc.org or (619)540-5202.
In Oceanside, RBS training is required every three years and LEAD training is required every two years. In Vista, RBS and LEAD training are required every three years.
Resources and services are available to assist with screening, treatment, and recovery for individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD). The Access and Crisis Line is open year-round, 24/7, at (888)724-7240.
Funded by the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency
