County DUI Task Force meets

THOMPSON FALLS – Compliancy checks and upcoming Red Ribbon Week events dominated the discussion as the Sanders County DUI Task Force came together for their monthly meeting last week.

Krista and Chuck Standeford of the Elevate Youth Coalition were also in attendance at the monthly meeting held on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m.

K. Standeford noted over service has been a recurring issue throughout the area.

She stated the law isn’t clearly understood and many instances of drinking and driving often stem from individuals being over served alcoholic beverages.

“It is illegal in Montana to serve someone who apparently, obviously or actually is intoxicated,” K. Standeford said.

K. Standeford noted she works with C. Standeford as part of working group focusing on over service and the group was looking to work with the Sanders County Sheriff’s Department to broaden understanding of this law.

In regards to compliance checks K. Standeford stressed the importance of local businesses taking the course in person.

While K. Standeford noted the courses could be taken online, she stressed by taking the courses with her, she could work as an advocate for the establishments during compliance checks.

“We can be a part of a plan with the state to remedy the problem,” K. Standeford said.

C. Standeford explained if a citation is issued in a compliance check the state will reach out to see if adequate training has occurred.

Emphasizing if those serving are trained and if proper measurers are observed to ensure underage individuals do not purchase or are served alcohol.

“If they get cited the state will contact the trainer who did the compliance checks and talk to them about the particular situation,” C. Standeford said.

Data from compliance checks does note area businesses are adhering to laws and not serving minors.

The task force discussed the results of recent compliancy checks noting underage individuals are not being allowed to purchase alcohol.

“Compliance checks are showing young people are being declined,” K. Standeford said.

The monthly meeting also covered ongoing efforts of the task force to reach area students and ensure they are aware of the dangers of underage drinking and of drinking and driving.

Coordinator of the task force, John Marshall stated his desire for area schools to run bumper sticker campaigns, where students create bumper stickers, which warn against the dangers of the aforementioned activities, each quarter of the school year.  

Marshall suggested awarding the winners of these contests with different items including gas cards for students who are motorists and maybe an iPod touch for those who are not year old enough to operate a vehicle.

Marshall said he was hoping the proposed bumper sticker campaign would become a countywide event.

“Schools can be competing against one another and also have bragging rights on which school produced the best logo,” Marshall said.

The task force discussed Red Ribbon Week, which will be held in area schools from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31.

Discussions were held on the possibility of bringing guest speakers into area schools to talk to students during the awareness campaign.