December 5, 2017

What’s "On Tap" at the Department of Liquor Control


It’s been almost one year since Robert Dorfman was appointed as director of the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control (DLC). On a recent episode of County Report This Week, Dorfman talked about operational improvements at the warehouse and what customers can expect in terms of selection, pricing and improved customer service at the DLC’s 27 retail stores this holiday season.
During the next few weeks, the DLC will assist the Montgomery County Police Alcohol Holiday Task Force with compliance checks of businesses that hold alcohol licenses.

Public safety is a top priority for the DLC, and the department recently won a national award for its Legislative Outreach Program at the Maryland Alcohol Forum. The forum, “Innovative Solutions to Keeping Communities Safe,” highlighted alcohol licensing needs and educated attendees about the public safety benefits of alcohol regulation.

In case you missed it, the president of the Maryland Public Health Association noted the importance of the “health and social costs” of the alcohol industry in a recent op-ed in The Baltimore Sun.

With Montgomery County’s system of alcohol regulation, the County is a leader in protecting public health and safety. For example, the system allows the County to refuse to carry alcohol-industry products designed to encourage underage drinking.

A Johns Hopkins University study reported that Montgomery County has the second-lowest rate among all Maryland counties in alcohol-related treatment admissions and the second lowest rate of alcohol-related crashes. In addition, the County has lower rates of youth binge drinking and alcohol-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

For more information go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/local-liquor-control.