Yes it’s true: At grocery stores and convenience stores throughout California, customers can purchase alcohol through self-service checkout stands without any interaction with an employee.

MADD is very concerned that selling alcohol through self-service checkout stands makes it easier for minors to purchase alcohol; allows customers who are intoxicated to purchase alcohol; and it creates opportunities to steal alcohol since there is often inadequate supervision. In fact, a recent study conducted by UCLA and the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) found:

• 32% of participants were not asked to show ID when purchasing alcohol through a self-checkout stand.

• In almost 20% of instances, participants were able to purchase alcohol

without any interaction with an employee.

In contrast, store clerks are well trained to check for proper identification and to interact with customers to ensure that they are not already intoxicated. That’s why MADD California is supporting Assembly Bill 1060 (De La Torre) which will stop the sale of alcohol through self-checkout stands and require a face-to-face transaction when alcohol is being purchased.

Please click here to sign our petition today to tell Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 1060 into law

Join MADD, California Council on Alcohol Policy, California Police Chief’s Association, California Narcotics Officers Association, California State Sheriffs’ Association and the California Peace Officers’ Association, in stopping the sale of alcohol through self-checkout stands.

Please sign our petition today and forward it to everyone you know. Only with your help can we ensure that alcohol is sold through face-to-face transactions.

Sincerely,

Gail Butler

State Executive Director

PS: Join us at one of our upcoming store actions (in July and August) as we rally at grocery stores that sell alcohol at self-checkout stands. Stay tuned for more details.

Twelve recipients were named “Real Heroes” by the American Red Cross Friday evening.  You may remember some of these heroes, because they made local headlines.

In October of 2009, a tree trimmer was working on a palm tree in south Bakersfield, when he lost his footing and became trapped 50 feet up.  Bakersfield Fire Department Engineer Scott Smith hoisted the helpless man out of the tree, to safety, earning himself a real hero award. “It’s kind of cool to be nominated, and to be appreciated for what we do,” Smith said.

Then there’s local surgeon Dr. Vipul Dev, who stepped in to help Oildale resident Lee Lyle, and many others, for free.  Lyle lived with a piece of his skull in his stomach for more than a year after a motorcycle crash and initial surgery, because he couldn’t afford the second surgery.  Dev is our medical professional real hero. “The surgeries I do for free – they’re more reconstructive in nature. They’re people who have deformities in everyday life. They have lost function of a working body part,” Dev said.

Bakersfield police officers Isaac Aleman and Aaron Stringer responded to a 7-11 store in southwest Bakersfield in September. A suspect opened fire, hitting Aleman in the leg. The officers fired back, hitting the suspect and saving Aleman’s life. “I think that what I did is no more than any other officer would have done. I’m still grateful for it,” Aleman said.

And the list of heroic acts goes on.  Martin Barrios was named Outstanding Youth Role Model for saving three young children from a burning home. Lucian Whitman jumped in the Kern River to save the life of a stranger. “I think that God gives us all opportunities and it’s up to us to take them,” Whitman said.

Here is a complete list of winners:
Outstanding Adult Role Model – Carla Pearson
Outstanding Youth Role Model – Martin Barrios
Outstanding Volunteer Group – Wounded Heroes Fund
Educator – Lisa Kane
Military – Larry Ybanez
Fallen Heroes – The families of Major Jason E. George and Sgt. Josh Soto
Firefighter – Scott Smith
Law Enforcement – Ofc. Isaac Aleman and Ofc. Aaron Stringer
Heroic Act – Lucian Whitman
Medical Professional – Dr. Vipul Dev

Article Courtesy of KGET.com

If you are a law enforcement officer in the State of California and wish to attend this event, please contact Silas Miers by email at silas.miers@madd.org.

It is our pleasure to provide ready access to a host of information on the organization and our goals. This includes support to Victims/Survivors of the violent crime of drunk driving, educational programs and services, and several opportunities for you to support our efforts, be it a financial donation, or gift of your precious time.

Founded nearly 30 years ago by a local mother who needlessly lost her 13 year old daughter at the hands of a repeat drunk driver, MADD is now Nationwide. We are no longer “just a group of mothers”, but now mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, and other community members who want to save lives and keep the roadways safe. MADD continues to be a grassroots organization, and continues to address the challenges of drunk driving – the tragedy of lives lost or changed forever, the implementation and enforcement of effective laws, and the awareness and acknowledgement of society that drunk driving is simply not acceptable.

As you explore this MADD California site, please know that each member of the MADD staff is dedicated to the mission of MADD.

Our Mission

To stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and, to prevent underage drinking.

Our staff is ready to assist at any time

Gail Butler: State Executive Director

Delia Soto: Development Officer

Ron Fajardo: Grant Specialist

Brenda Frachiseur: Assistant State Director

Maureen McGrath: VIP Program Coordinator

Silas Miers: Program Specialist; Law Enforcement

Judy Utter: Senior Victim Advocate

Becky Wood: Program Specialist; Education & Youth Programs

There are 4 areas in which we can accomplish this:
Please click one of the links for more information.
Underage Drinking
Adult Programs
Law Enforcement
Victim Services

Registration

You must bring your court referral forms or DUI school paperwork to all locations with ID. Payment must be a money order or cashiers check only. Make payable to MADD. NO late arrivals will be admitted to any meetings.

If you are required to attend a Victim Impact Panel with MADD, the following locations are available:

Humboldt County: Eureka, please call for current information regarding meetings (916) 481-6233

Shasta County: Redding, click here to Register online or call (800) 426-6233 to schedule your appointment

Sacramento, Placerville, Placer, Yolo Counties, click here to register online or call (916) 481-6233

Central California; Fresno, future meeting summer of 2008 call (916) 481-6233

Bay Area: Oakland, click here to register online or call (800) 426-6233

San Jose: San Jose VIP closed please see Oakland or call (800) 426-6233

Los Angeles/Ventura: Click Here to register online or call (310) 215-2905

Orange County: Call (949) 224-9900 for information regarding meetings

San Bernardino: Call (909) 888-6233 for locations and times

San Diego: Call (858) 564-0785 for locations and times

MADD was started by volunteers 30 years ago and continues to be a grassroots organization through the tireless efforts of volunteers throughout the state. No matter what a volunteer’s level of commitment is, we have a way they can help. Please browse through the links below to obtain more information about getting involved in cause that affects so many Americans.

Click here to download our Volunteer Application

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has the mission to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. Your donation will go a long way in continuing to support MADD’s life saving work. With your help we can together make our streets and highways safer, and keep victim assistance and education programs funded.

Donate Now!