LA CROSSE, WI (WXOW)-- The Centers for Disease Control found between 18 and 25-percent of people in Wisconsin binge drink on a normal occasion which is why the Changing the Culture of Risky Drinking Behavior Coalition, La Crosse County taverns and University of Wisconsin La Crosse students partnered together to change drinking habits in the area.
They call themselves Partners for a Safer La Crosse County.
Karin Johnson, UW-L Sophomore and La Crosse County Board Member, is one of many people in the partnership.
"I get to wear two jackets in this," Johnson said.
One of her goals is to help change the communities drinking habits.
"Sometimes the decisions that are encouraged by practices that bars have aren't what is best for the community," Johnson said.
Partners for a Safer La Crosse has created a set of rules bars for that chose to participate in the program must follow.
Those rules are:
- We will have more than half of our employees trained in TIPS or a Responsible Beverage Server training program approved by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
- We will offer Safe Ride and/or cab vouchers to our customers and post that information in a conspicuous location.
- We will have no more than two failed alcohol compliance checks
- We will not promote or conduct All You Can Drink Specials
- We will post our Partners for a Safer La Crosse Program Membership decal on our establishment's window, door or other conspicuous place for the public to see our program affiliation
- We will abide by and uphold the guidelines detailed in the section below
"We've been practicing most of the guidelines. It's a good way to button up lose ends," Tim Alberts, Eagles Nest Managing Partner said.
Some of the guidelines outlines further are not giving out free drinks and announcing the number of minutes before drinks will be picked up rather than last call.
"I don't think this is going to change any of that. It might make them more aware we need to be more responsible when serving people," Alberts said.
Johnson is 20-years old, so for now, she is basing her opinions off information from classmates and community members.
"But to be able to experience it first hand is going to be totally different for me and I think if anything I'm going to be able to see what can be changed to make this healthier for everyone," Johnson said.
She'll also continue striving for a healthier, safer community.
