Montréal, April 21 2023 – Éduc’alcool and the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) launched the “Touche pas à mon verre”* pilot project yesterday in the presence of François Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security of Québec. This initiative takes the form of a free distribution of 10,000 glass protectors to, among other things, protect consumers from having illicit substances added to their drinks without their knowledge. The objective is to reduce the risks of intoxication by providing tools to the population and to prevent excessive alcohol consumption, while many people turn to shooters notably to avoid having to watch their drinks. 

The glass protectors will be distributed during a vast tour of bars in Montréal, the first of which took place last night. In addition to Minister Bonnardel, Geneviève Desautels, Executive Director of Éduc’alcool, and Sophie Roy, Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigations Branch of the SPVM, took part in the event. In the coming months, the distribution will continue in licensed establishments in the city and at certain events. 

From left to right: Audrey Bureau and Benjamin Allen, from TUP, François Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security, Geneviève Desautels, Executive Director of Éduc’alcool, Sophie Roy, Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigations Branch of the SPVM, and Pierre Thibault, president of the New Quebec Bar Association.

A decisive role for everyone 

“Touche pas à mon verre” focuses on preventing alcohol consumption among a younger clientele. It also aims to reduce the risk of overdose and hospitalization following the voluntary or involuntary ingestion of illicit substances, or excessive alcohol consumption. It also emphasizes the importance of reporting an unintentional intoxication event to the police to help keep everyone safe. 

For witnesses, people who intoxicate others without their knowledge, and victims, the pilot project draws attention to individual responsibilities, but also to collective actions regarding alcohol consumption. It does not aim to put the burden on potential victims, but rather to make them aware of the need to adopt safe and responsible behaviors. The project also wishes to demonstrate that everyone is concerned and that each and everyone can really play a determining role and can contribute to ensure the safety of their peers by a simple act of mutual aid. 

Moderation tools included 

The glass protectors developed for the “Touche pas à mon verre” pilot project inform and raise awareness among the public about alcohol consumption. A QR code redirects consumers to the Calcoolateur, a moderation tool developed by Éduc’alcool. This tool allows people to track their blood alcohol level or to calculate it in advance based on the amount of alcohol they plan to consume. 

Éduc’alcool’s contribution to this pilot project aims to raise awareness of alcohol-related risks and provide resources to help young and old alike make informed choices about alcohol. 

An easy-to-use tool for all situations 

The glass protector fits many types of glass. It can quickly become a must-have for any night out that involves alcohol consumption. This new tool is simple to use and easy to carry, making it practical for bars, festivals, parties and more. The glass protector is made of aluminum and is therefore recyclable.  

To further protect consumers against the addition of illicit substances in their drinks and thus increase their safety, it is important to increase awareness efforts and tools. The glass protector is one of them. 

Quotes 

“The Éduc’alcool approach aims to help young people become aware of their relationship with alcohol. The “Touche pas à mon verre” initiative does just that by raising awareness of the context in which alcohol is consumed and by taking action to prevent the risks associated with excessive drinking. It is a pleasure to work alongside the SPVM and the Ministère de la Sécurité publique to promote this project and to support young people in drinking safely and responsibly. We hope that one of the outcomes of this pilot project will be to encourage licensed establishments to commit to taking responsibility for systematically putting glass protectors on the drinks they serve.” 

– Geneviève Desautels, Executive Director of Éduc’alcool 

“For many years, the SPVM has taken the issue of synthetic drugs and intentional or unintentional intoxication very seriously and we are working hard to address it, both in terms of prevention and enforcement. Over-consumption of alcohol, which we regularly witness, is also of great concern to us. This pilot project allows us to join forces with Éduc’alcool and the Ministère de la Sécurité publique to make everyone aware of the actions and means available to them to drink safely and responsibly, to protect themselves and even to protect those around them.” 

– Sophie Roy, Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigations Branch at the SPVM.   

“Administering GHB or any other synthetic drug without a person’s knowledge is a crime and we will work to eliminate these events. In the meantime, I want to provide those who want to ensure their own safety with the tools at their disposal. I would also like this pilot project to encourage the industry to adopt a caring approach towards its clientele and the victims. That’s why I’m happy to support the Éduc’alcool and SPVM initiative; we’re taking concrete action so that Quebecers can celebrate and have fun in a safe way.” 

– François Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security

*After the initial success of the “Check ton verre” campaign promoted by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, a second free glass protector distribution campaign will be launched in the spring of 2024 in the city of Laval and in Quebec City. The “Touche pas à mon verre” campaign is the initiative of the Quebec Ministry of Public Security.