In The News

Right around Super Bowl time the commercials start running. And while warning us against drinking and driving may seem like a no-brainer, some brands try to capitalize on the season of binge drinking with a gimmick.This year, it’s the Tostitos Party Safe Bag. The tortilla chip bag comes with a built in “breathalyzer”. If alcohol is detected on your breath, the bag can even help you call an Uber. These limited edition bags will not be sold to the general public, but Frito Lay has partnered with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) to provide 25,000 Uber coupon codes to consumers.

SANTA FE, NM – Local judges and corrections officials have a new weapon in their arsenal of strategies to help ensure people accused of offenses involving alcohol abide by court orders to abstain.The portable device transmits the results of breath alcohol tests to a cloud-based monitoring website, allowing judges to more safely release some offenders from jail, while still tracking whether they are complying with drinking bans.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Former Crow Wing County educator Jody Crowe grew tired of seeing fetal alcohol-related behavioral and learning problems in children around the state.Crowe is now leading efforts to combat it in a new way: putting cellular technology-based Breathalyzers in the hands of pregnant, alcohol-involved teens and giving them incentives to stay booze-free.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A new program is providing rewards for teenagers who stay alcohol-free during pregnancy. An organization called Healthy Brains for Children is heading the effort.Expecting teenagers are given a cell phone as an incentive but also a Breathalyzer that they will be required to blow into during the day.“I guess it’s leading edge as far as prevention, and we are doing something,” said board member, Anne Archibald. “It’s proactive.”

The Sheriff’s Alternative Sentencing Division started using the new technology in late August. It replaces the typical ankle bracelet with a hand-held Breathalyzer. The device, known as Soberlink, comes equipped with cell and GPS technology to transmit instantaneous test results and a photograph to verify who provided the sample.