DRINKING ALCOHOL? Just Say KNOW
Fresh Approach to Alcohol Education Helps People Make
Beneficial Choices Regarding Drinking Alcoholic Beverages
Traditional tactics for resolving most alcohol related troubles and tribulations in our society have rarely produced lasting positive results. It is becoming quite clear that dealing with inappropriate alcohol consumption problems solely from an “alcoholism/disease” perspective cannot and indeed should not be the only approach employed. Frank Poliafico, RN, a nationally respected health and safety education professional, recognized this fact several years ago and has been working to companies and their employees avoid the myriad of crises caused by inappropriate alcohol ingestion. Poliafico developed DRINKING ALCOHOL? Just Say KNOW, an innovative, non-judgmental education program that helps prevent untimely and/or unacceptable consumption of alcoholic beverages – and subsequent ill effects. This program is not intended for individuals with alcohol-related disease or addiction; nor is its aim to encourage or “enable” anyone to consume beer, wine or distilled spirits. It was created to reduce the often exorbitant “tuition” sometimes paid by those who learn about drinking alcohol primarily via the always slow, often ineffective and frequently dangerous learning process called “discovery”. Through frank discussion of why people drink – to feel good – and why most people who consume too much usually do so – “ignoholism” – this fresh approach to alcohol schooling accelerates (or in some cases, validates) each participant’s personal “alcohol consumption learning curve”. The Just Say KNOW line of attack is based on a few essential realities: If you shouldn’t drink alcoholic beverages, don’t drink. If you don’t want to imbibe, it’s certainly okay to just say no. But if you are legally, morally and medically free to consume beer, wine or distilled spirits –– and you elect to do so, you should…E liminate unwanted consequences
N ever drink then drive or work
J ust KNOW the facts about alcohol
O ptimize your benefits & pleasures
The material presented in DRINKING ALCOHOL? Just Say KNOW is based on current, generally accepted scientific information relative to the ingestion, metabolism and resulting biological and behavioral effects of alcoholic beverages. This program is not intended to undermine the need for alcohol-related illness/addiction treatment and/or counseling for those in need of such services. Rather, its aim is to enhance the decision making process and drinking experience for those who have no medical or legal impediments to alcoholic beverage consumption and to also help prevent alcohol related problems from happening.
Drinking Alcohol? Just Say KNOW!
1. Identify the personal and social benefits of alcoholic beverage consumption.
2. Identify major personal and social problems associated with untimely and inappropriate consumption of alcoholic beverages.
3. Explain the deficiencies in current popular approaches to solving ethyl alcohol consumption problems.
4. Explain the benefits of a “Just Say Know” approach to alcohol consumption issues.
5. Review the effects of alcohol in the body and on the mind.
6. Help patients, families and clients make informed choices regarding alcoholic beverages.
7. Explore reasons many people drink beyond the point of personal pleasure and/or biological limit.
8. Offer methodology for developing a plan for safe and sensible alcoholic beverage consumption.
9. Help those who are legally and physically able to consume beer, wine or distilled spirits – and who choose to do so – to enjoy the experience and avoid the complications.
Drinking Alcohol? Just Say KNOW!
Testimonials and Comments
“…your presentation on making an informed choice about alcohol use was one of the best we've ever heard.”
RADM Joyce M. Johnson
Assistant Surgeon General
“You clearly presented an optimal mix of theory, medical facts, and action plans; and your energizing enthusiasm, timely humor, and professional teaching style kept the audience attending and information processing throughout. I've observed many teachers throughout my thirty years of university instruction, and I can honestly say your teaching tops my list. You're better than the best I've seen.”
E. Scott Geller, Ph.D.
Professor
Virginia Tech
“The message you send is so appropriate for college students who are influenced in every way by their peers. I feel that it is having them ultimately make a choice but a choice that is made with all the right information is one I like to promote.”
Housing Coordinator
Philadelphia Art Institute
“Over three hundred employees heard your presentation. Your delivery of the material was excellent. It was apparent to me, your program took preparation, extensive research and creativity to develop the program.”
Wayne R. Gilbert
Special Agent in Charge
Philadelphia FBI Office
“…comments were made like: "He spoke to us as adults, not kids." "He didn’t preach." "He really knows his stuff." "He made his point and he was funny." You certainly had a positive impact on our students. We hope you will be back again--our kids need you!”
Charles G. Howard, Coordinator
Substance Awareness Program
Haddonfield Memorial High School
“Your approach to "sensible drinking" certainly fills what I consider to be a void in drug/alcohol education in the marine industry.”
J. R. Crocker
Warrrior & Gulf Navigation Co.
“I must confess that I scheduled our recent Drug and Alcohol Awareness Seminar with some trepidation. However, I was very pleased with the response of our crew to your presentation. I feel that you hit exactly the right tone to realistically deal with a
potentially difficult topic.”
Timothy F. Pfeiffer
Marine Operations
University of Delaware
“I am happy to recommend your course on the safe and sane use of alcohol to whoever might ask me about it. You have gone out of your way to make the subject relevant to those undergraduates who are not yet of legal drinking age.”
Conrad Krebs, MD
Professor
Temple University
“You gave an outstanding presentation which had the attention of 158 football players. The program was approached in an entertaining and serious manner enabling the student to enjoy the presentation in addition to being a recipient of valuable information.”
Bill Cubit
Football Coach
“Thank you for your wonderful presentation to our fraternity and sorority new members on "What you should know before you drink." Those attending may have been prepared for "just another alcohol program", but the comments have been outstanding. The reality-based method of presenting information was refreshing and I am certain that an impact was made.”
Craig J. Loundas
Associate Dean
“I would like to thank you for a real informative and entertaining seminar on Drinking Alcohol - Enjoying the Benefits, Avoiding the Risks, that you presented to several groups at ARCO Transportation and Corporate. Many employees have indicated that it was the best wellness seminar they have attended.”
Kailash Narayan
ARCO
Corporate Wellness Program
“You have taken an otherwise negative topic and turned it into an educational experience which participants are glad to have received. Rather than [present the program as "just another regulatory requirement," you turned the tables and presented the information from a health and wellness standpoint. In doing so, you provided information which your audience wanted to learn (rather than had to learn), which, I believe, will result in maximum retention by the participants.”
K.J. Metcalf
Senior Health/Safety Specialist
“Our students, as you know, are classified emotionally disturbed and sometimes are a difficult group to work with in the classroom. Your presentation really held their attention for the entire time. I really appreciate the time you spent with our students.”
Kathleen A. McCarthy
Substance Awareness Coordinator
“We have had great feedback, and even have some athletes continuing to ask questions about alcohol and its effects on the body. They appreciated your respect of them to make a responsible choice, not just don't drink because we told you so.”
Stephanie Giunta Walter
Assistant Athletic Trainer
“On behalf of the Emergency Services Training Center, I wish to express our appreciation for your innovative presentation to the DUI instructors of our county. Introducing humor as a means for students to retain and relate top the effects of alcohol on the body proved beneficial. Too often we utilize "canned" presentations that have not reduced the arrest rate for DUI. Your unique approach will hopefully make the difference.”
Walter R. Omlor
Director of Community Service
Delaware County, PA
“I've seen MANY attempts to address this subject and I am very sincere when I say Mr. Poliafico has one of the best approaches I've seen for a general audience. I'm sure he can easily adapt the program to almost any age group or work group from this outline. The common sense education he employs would be easy for almost any group to listen to and learn from without feeling preached to or threatened. In short, a well thought-out and flexible program!”
Paul W. Heck
Dupont
“Our team members stated they found your program very enjoyable and beneficial. Your sensible approach was informative and entertaining. You maintained their interest and provided an educational approach to assist them in adhering to our new Zero Tolerance Policy.”
Carol P. Connor
Administrative Manager
Electro-Coal Transfer
“Many thanks for your willingness to be with us to present an interesting, informative and non-threatening program on sensible drinking. Sheriffs and jail managers are generally a skeptical, “tough-nut-to-crack” bunch of folks. You wowed them like nobody else I’ve ever seen!”
Thomas P. Berlinger
Director of Operational Services
Florida Sheriffs Association
“What a success! …The class itself acts as a catalyst, bringing the problems of irresponsible drinking out in the open with the class being a forum to discuss these sensitive issues in an informal setting. …With the addition of the ‘Train the Trainer” program, our agency is now able to present this information to civilian staff, schools, community groups, and even inmates. Thanks again for such an exceptional program.”
Sergeant Anne Herman
Training Section
Hillsborough County Sheriffs Department
For additional information contact
Emergency Training Xcellence, Inc.
600 N. Jackson St. · Suite 1
Media, PA 19063
(610) 566-2824