Memorial Day is About Remembering, Honoring, & Respecting Our Community, Not Alcohol

Remembering the sacrifice of others is not enough. The Americans who died in combat died acting with the conviction, dedication and passion that they were making America and the world safer and better. They were right and we need to repay their devotion with a dedication to act to make not just America, but our community better.

In the work San Rafael Alcohol Compliance Team (SR ACT) and other Marin groups & organizations do we remember, honor, and respect our community to be a safe place for our young people. Memorial Day is About Remembering, Honoring, & Respecting Our Community, Not Alcohol.

If you are celebrating locally in Marin or beyond, the San Rafael Alcohol Compliance Team wants you to remember to celebrate responsibly! SR ACT will be enforcing DUIs, not just for Memorial Day weekend but all year round! The tips below should be kept in mind to have a safe Memorial Day weekend experience whether it be locally or away.

Memorial Day Celebration Safety Tips - out on the town

· Do not accept drinks from someone you don't know and do not leave drinks unattended.

· Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself. Eat plenty of food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.

· Make sure that your ride is sober before letting him/her drive you.

· If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or if possible stay where you are for the night and don’t drive until you are sober.

· Never let a friend drive drunk. Arrange a safe way for them to get home.

· Always buckle up: It’s still your best defense against other drunk drivers.

Memorial Day Celebration Safety Tips - at home

· If you plan to stay sober, offer to drive guests home.

· Check with all of your guests to ensure they designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers.

· Serve food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.

· Keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from anyone who is considering driving drunk.

Things to keep in mind when hosting a party

· You can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.

· If an underage person drinks and drives, the parent may be legally liable for any damage, injury or death caused by the underage driver.

· Likewise, parents or other adults who provide alcohol to – or host a party where alcohol is available to – those under the age of 21, could be cited with the Social Host Ordinance.

Drinking and driving is a serious problem all year long. The San Rafael Police Department, the San Rafael Alcohol Compliance Team, and other Marin law enforcement agencies & community coalitions are dedicated to a variety of activities aimed at reducing the number of DUI related tragedies. Be sure to check out these links for more information and resources to stay safe and informed:

The Healthy Novato Project
The Mill Valley Healthy Living Community Coalition
The Novato Blue Ribbon Coalition for Youth
The San Rafael Alcohol and Drug Coalition
The San Rafael Alcohol Compliance Team
The Twin Cities Coalition for Healthy Youth
The Youth Leadership Institute
The West Marin Community Coalition

Learn more about the San Rafael Social Host Ordinance
English - http://www.scribd.com/doc/180037937/FINAL-ACT-palm-card-pdf
Spanish - http://www.scribd.com/doc/189075792/ACT-Palm-Card-en-Espanol-in-Spanish

You can learn more about what we are doing and how you can get involved by contacting Kristen Law at the Marin County Prevention Hub.

The San Rafael Alcohol Compliance Team (ACT) has been created through a partnership with the San Rafael Police Department and the Marin County Department of Health & Human Services to reduce underage and excessive drinking in youth ages 12 – 25.