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TRACE

In 2003, Lynne Goodwin's 20 year old daughter Casey was killed in a crash. The driver who crashed his car into Casey Goodwin's vehicle had been drinking. He was also underage. Lynne wanted to know who made the alcohol available to the young man who was driving drunk, traveling 100 miles per hour, and then crashed his car into her daughter's car, killing her. She never got the answer.

As a result of her advocacy efforts, and the work of law enforcement, the TRACE Protocol was developed in 2004 by the California Alcoholic Beverage Control, Office of Traffic Safety, California Attorney General's Office, California Highway Patrol, California Police Chiefs Association, and California State Sheriffs' Association with help from many other stakeholder organizations. TRACE stands for Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies. It is an enforcement and prevention program.

The program works like this: As soon as the first responding officer arrives at the scene and can make a determination that alcohol and minors are involved then that officer must call the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and notify them immediately of any death or serious injury involving underage drinking.

As the first responding officer investigates the incident, ABC Agents will conduct a simultaneous investigation to determine where the alcoholic beverages were acquired, purchased, or served. Agents will be alert to the collection of evidence that may indicate where the alcoholic beverage was obtained. A timely notification to the TRACE Unit greatly improves the chance of a successful investigation.

If the TRACE investigation determines that an ABC licensed location sold or furnished alcoholic beverages to a minor, ABC will file administrative action to suspend or revoke the license of that business. In addition, where evidence warrants, criminal action will be pursued against the person or persons who furnished or sold the alcohol to the underage individual or individuals.

Today, The TRACE program is made possible by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. The grant provides funding for in-depth ABC investigations of serious incidents including car crashes, but also alcohol overdoses, poisonings and assaults that result from alcohol consumption by minors.

LEAD

The Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) Program is a free, voluntary prevention and education program for retail licensees, their employees and applicants. The curriculum is designed for licensees, managers and employees. Program length is 4 hours. Participation is limited depending on the size of the training location.

The mission of the LEAD Program is to provide high quality, effective and educationally sound training on alcohol responsibility and the law to California retail licensees and their employees. The California Alcoholic Beverage Control expects and encourages licensees to act responsibly relative to their alcoholic beverage license privileges. The LEAD Program provides the licensee and applicant with practical information on serving alcoholic beverages safely, responsibly and legally and preventing illicit drug activity at the licensed establishment.

On Site Training Sessions:

ABC LEAD trainers may be able to do an on-site training sessions. Requested on-site training sessions will be the standard 4 hour Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) Program. To request an on-site training session the following criteria must be met:

  • Minimum of 50 attendees
  • Facility must be provided for free
  • Training room must be accessible to the public
  • Training room must be away from noise and other distractions
  • Lighting in room must be sufficient to read handouts and take exam
  • Class must be open to the public on a first come, first service bases, until maximum class size number is reached
  • Each participant will need to individually register at www.abc.ca.gov
  • Must give 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel

These on-site training will be offered based on the availability of a trainer.

To request an on-site training session, send an email to LEADinfo@abc.ca.gov. Include your name, organization/agency, phone number, email address, address of proposed location, start time and proposed dates (provide at least 3) that you would like to host the training. You will be notified which date, if any, the trainer will be able to conduct the class.

Replacement Certification:

The California Alcoholic Beverage Control will no longer supply replacement certifications.

Special Event Training:

ABC no longer offers the 2 hour Special Event training. To view a list of trainers that may provide this service, visit the following link then scroll down to the “List of RBS Training Providers.