PRIDE Coasters

Putnam PRIDE distributed 5,000 coasters with alcohol abuse prevention coasters to local restaurants and bars. Left to right: Putnam Deputy Police Chief Lee Konicki; James and Sheila Frost from the Courthouse and Putnam Mayor Tony Falzarano. Linda Lemmon photo.

 

 

Nope, no

ordinary

coasters

By Linda Lemmon

Town Crier Editor

PUTNAM --- These will be no ordinary coasters under your glass at local restaurants and bars. Putnam PRIDE and the Putnam Police Department's unveiled a new alcohol abuse prevention initiative. Some 5,000 coasters with tips on preventing overconsumption of alcohol are being distributed to local restaurants and bars.

The coasters will have tips for preventing overconsumption of alcohol and will also have blood alcohol content charts to help patrons assess whether it is safe for them to drive.

During the kickoff Dec. 15, Putnam Mayor Tony Falzarano said the cards have five good tips on them. He also recommended being cautious and having a designated driver.

The five tips are: "Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or non alcoholic beverages;" "Eat before you drink;" "Pace yourself. Keep track of how many drinks you've had;" "No more than 1 drink per hour;" "Choose a drink containing lower alcohol concentration." The opposite side of the coaster has a chart to calculate blood alcohol content.

Breaking from the usual statistical rundown, PRIDE program coordinator Romeo Blackmar described his own drunk driving accident in 1981 when he attempted to drive a company car on the railroad tracks. It took him two years to stop drinking. "It's "one of the reasons I took this job," he said. "Had I killed myself, I would not have had my beautiful daughter and my two grandchildren," he said. "Drinking and driving are not acceptable."

Town Administrator and program director for the coalition, Douglas M. Cutler, praised the partnerships that are making an impact in the community. Deputy Police Chief Lee Konicki said the police are not moving away from enforcement, but are also stressing prevention. "We are committed to strict enforcement of OUI laws and will have extra patrols." he added.

Konicki said he saw the coasters at a conference in Washington, D.C. and Miranda Nagle of PRIDE partner CHR Health said she also saw them in Portsmouth, N.H.

Coalition members aid the 5,000 coasters will stay out in the restaurants and bars until they are gone, beyond the holiday season.  Cutler said the program is funded with a Drug Free Program grant.