Alcohol Connected Emergencies

What do you do when alcohol connected emergencies occur? When there is an incident that involves a person under 21 and an alcoholic beverage that leads to bodily injury or death, ABC is notified by first responders through the TRACE protocol. They can also notify ABC whenever someone under the influence, regardless of age, is charged with vehicular manslaughter. 

When did TRACE start?

In spring 2004, Casey Goodwin, a college student, had been killed by an 18 year old drunk driver. Goodwin’s mom, Lynn, knew there was someone else who was involved and that more had to be done. The person who sold or provided the 18 year old alcohol was also at fault. There simply had to be a better method for investigations. That is when the ABC, Attorney General’s Office, California Highway Patrol, MADD, FNL and many other agencies and stakeholder groups came together and created the TRACE protocol. Since then the Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) Unit at ABC was born in May of 2006 and is a free standing bureau within the Department.

Facts about Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE)

These include:

• ABC is to be notified whenever there is a serious injury or death that occurs as a result of underage drinking. 
• Trace is a protocol that is in place for first responders to notify ABC when there is an incident that involves a person under 21 and an alcoholic beverage that results in great bodily injury or death. This protocol also includes anyone charged with vehicular manslaughter that was under the influence of alcohol regardless of their age.
• An investigation is done by the ABC simultaneously in order to determine where the alcoholic beverages were acquired, purchased, or served. 
• Agents will be alerted to the collection of evidence that can include false identification, receipts, bags, labels, witness statements etc. 
• To increase the chances of a successful investigation, a timely report to TRACE is crucial. 
• The Department will file an administrative action to suspend or revoke the license of a business if a TRACE investigation determines that an ABC License sold or furnished alcohol to a minor or sold/ served alcohol to someone who was obviously intoxicated.
• The TRACE Protocol was developed by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Office of Traffic Safety, California Attorney General’s Office, California Highway Patrol, California Police Chiefs Association, and California State Sheriffs’ Association.

Overall, Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) has been a vital part of combating alcohol related injuries or death, by being a source of report and helps to control the selling of alcohol to minors by keeping them accountable.  Read more on alcohol poisoning and what to do to be informed. If you have any questions feel free to give us a call, and one of our experts here at Liquor License Network will be sure to answer and help you out. Call at (800)-735-9073 or send us a message.