Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission

by Joy Spencer Remember your prom experience? How about when you graduated from high school? While some things have changed, other pressures are exactly the same.  Prom and graduation should be celebrated as alcohol and substance-free events. Unfortunately, s tatistics show that one third of the alcohol-related traffic fatalities involving teens each year occur during April, May, and June -- prom-graduation season.  Parents can play a vital role in helping teens make good decisions about alcohol - which is great news. Research shows that regular communication between parents and their kids has a positive influence on the decisions that teens make. What else can parents do? Discuss rules for the celebrating: your own rules, the school rules, and the consequences for violating the rules. Ask your teen for a complete itinerary for the evening, including where they'll be going before, during and after prom. If you have graduates, make sure you know where an...

by Joy Spencer Alcohol Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about alcohol abuse and encourage people to make healthy, safe choices. During this month, take some time to educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of alcohol abuse. Each year, alcohol abuse in Oregon leads to 1,400 alcohol-related deaths, 5,100 violent crimes, and 41,000 offenses related to driving under the influence. What are some things that you can do this month?   Check in with yourself about your drinking habits. Do you enjoy a drink now and then? Many of us do, often when socializing with friends and family. Drinking can be beneficial or harmful, depending on your age and health status, and, of course, how much you drink. What's Your Drinking Pattern Quiz   If you are concerned about  your alcohol use, or a loved one's abuse problems, here is a website of resources from Oregon 's Department of Human Services that can help you: http://www.oreg...

by Joy Spencer Spring Break is a break from classes, jobs, and stress – but it is not a break from common sense! If you are 21 or older, and plan on drinking during your break, remember that alcohol can impair your judgment and actions. Before you head out to have fun, take a minute to read these ten tips for alcohol safety during your Spring Break: Spring break is not an excuse to drink excessively or drink more than you normally would. Drink no more than one drink per hour and alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks. Eat a real meal before drinking and snack throughout the time you are drinking.   Leaving town? Know the drinking laws at your travel destination.   Use the buddy system. Watch out for your friends and ask that they watch out for you. Make it a rule to never leave without anyone you came with.   If a friend feels sick or has had a lot to drink, you should not leave them alone. And you should expect that your friends will ...

by Christie Scott For those who plan to paint the town green, we want to remind you to celebrate responsibly this St. Patrick’s Day weekend.  Although St. Patty’s Day falls on Monday, March 17; many people choose to start the festivities over the weekend. Green beer, Irish whiskey, and Irish cream liqueur are all popular beverages on the one day of the year when everyone is Irish.  Whether you choose to celebrate at home or at one of 7,000 bars, restaurants and taverns that sell alcohol across the state, we ask that you plan ahead for a safe night and not rely on the luck of the Irish. Tips for St. Patty’s Day Celebrations: §         Pace yourself – Enjoy water or a snack between beverages, it will help you make it to the pot of gold at the end of the night. §         Don’t drink on an empty stomach - A serving of corned beef and cabbage can help your body process the alcohol. § ...

 by Christie Scott Two teenage girls and a 22-year-old man were taken into custody in Portland ’s Old Town .  The two girls (ages 14 and 15) had snuck out of an overnight field trip with their school and tried to enter four Old Town bars before gaining access into a fifth bar with a 22-year-old man.     OLCC Stock Photo The two girls were spotted by a bouncer at one of the night clubs in Old Town .  When they couldn’t produce identification, they went to three other neighboring clubs, where they were also denied entry.  Out of concern, the first bar’s bouncer contacted OLCC inspectors about the two very young-looking girls when he saw them leaving with a man after the third bar.  OLCC inspectors found the two girls and the 22-year-old man at Harlem , 220 SW Ankeny ; where the girls were drinking alcohol supplied by the 22-year-old.  OLCC Public Safety Director, John Eckhart commends the bouncer for being proactive in con...

by Joy Spencer Illegal Moonshine Still near Skyline in Portland, Oregon Today, December 5, marks the 80th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, ending the 13-year stretch when alcohol was banned from coast to coast. In January 1920, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect making the sale, manufacture and transportation of alcohol illegal nationally. But, many years before that - even before Oregon was a state, ‘Oregonians’ tried to control the manufacture and sale of liquor.    In June of 1844, Oregon 's provisional government enacted a prohibition law designed to “prevent the introduction, sale and distillation of ardent spirits in Oregon .”   This law remained in effect until September of 1849, when the territorial legislature repealed it.   Rather than total prohibition, Oregon passed various laws in the following decades designed to regulate liquor sales.   These acts tended to specify certain licensing criteria f...

by Joy Spencer Every year students around the country end up in hospitals from injuries caused by alcohol abuse. Keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors is a priority for the OLCC.   Working cooperatively with our partners at University of Oregon, Eugene Police Department, UO Police Department, City of Eugene, representatives from area businesses and neighborhood leaders , we each bring something unique to the table that helps educate new students and returning students about alcohol safety and liquor laws. Below are a just a few tips to help college students both under 21 and over 21 to be responsible.  Under 21? Using a Fake ID It’s a Class C misdemeanor for anyone to misrepresent their age. If you are convicted, you can lose your driving privileges for up to one year. Did you know that if you’re using someone else’s ID, the person who owns the ID can also be held responsible? College Parties Choose not to drink until you’re ...