When it comes to choosing a responsible alcohol service program, there are choices an individual, establishment and corporation must make. There are lots of programs that simply “educate” servers and sellers of alcohol on liquor laws, the science of why alcohol affects the brain, and the concepts of BAC, and intoxication rate factors. Some programs will even go as far as explaining why it is important to refuse a sale. The delivery of these programs may not be top-notch, but the educational component is certainly there. Is that enough? Will education alone prevent the tragedies associated with the misuse of alcohol? Are we trainers or educators and why is the difference so critical?

It comes down to the difference between know how and know why. It is the difference between, say, being trained as a pilot to fly a plane and being educated as an aeronautical engineer and knowing why a plane flies. Clearly both are necessary, but if I am flying from here to there I want to be in a plane with a trained pilot. Education emphasizes principles; training emphasizes application. Education focuses on building the mind; training focuses on building skills and confidence.

This same principle can be applied to your local watering hole. An educated bartender can identify someone who is getting into trouble with alcohol and may even have a grasp of what is occurring in the intoxicated person’s brain. However, will the educated bartender have the skills and confidence to effectively intervene to prevent this person from hurting himself or someone else? A trained bartender will not only possess the knowledge, he or she will be able to take action to make sure his or her patrons are safe. That is the difference between an effective training program and a program that simply provides information.