SYNAR Compliance Timeline

2004

January:

• Draft Synar protocols were revised for CDSs, troopers, and youth inspectors.
  
  
• Targeted inspections were implemented prior to Synar inspections.
  
  Targeted inspections were implemented in order to guard the integrity of the Synar inspections by providing consistency and continuity throughout the state relative to on-going tobacco inspections. Best Practices show that when inspections are done in a consistent manner throughout the year, buy rates tend not to significantly increase and may even decrease. The protocol is the same for Synar and Targeted inspections with the exception that after a Targeted inspection is completed, the trooper identifies him/herself to the clerk (should there not be a sale), thanks them for not selling, and congratulates the clerk for a job well done. This serves as a win/win situation for both the clerk and the trooper. Targeted inspections were implemented in the following counties: Ohio (10 attempts, 1 buy); Jefferson (10 attempts, 1 buy); Morgan (5 attempts, 1 buy); Berkeley (11 attempts, 4 buys); Kanawha (20 attempts, 1 buy); Putnam (10 attempts, 5 buys), and Raleigh (10 attempts, 5 buys).
  
  
• Synar Orientation with new CDS from Region 1 was held.
  
  
• A meeting with State Tax Dept. personnel was held relative to the vendor list for '04 Synar inspections.
  
  
• Discussions included that Tax would send us the list that they have from the end of Dec. '03 taking out the bars/adult clubs and that they would also include all the tobacco tax holder info or send it in a separate file. We, in turn, would share the screening info from our list and inspection info as to whether the store is still in business and sells tobacco.
  
  
• A preliminary budget for Synar inspections was prepared for approval.

February:

• Drafted Synar protocols were sent to WVDADA for approval.
  

• Approved Synar protocols were finalized and binders/training materials were prepared for CDSs, youth inspectors, and troopers.

• Contact information was prepared for troopers/CDSs.

• Targeted inspections were implemented prior to Synar inspections. (See remarks on Targeted Inspections from January) .
  
  Targeted inspections were implemented in the following counties: Jefferson (10 attempts, 2 buys); Morgan (4 attempts, 0 buys); Berkeley (10 attempts, 1 buy), and Kanawha (5 attempts, 4 buys); Brooke (7 attempts, 0 buys); Hancock (7 attempts, 0 buys).

• Funds for Synar inspections were requested.
  
  Funds are appropriated for Synar inspection implementation to the WV Prevention Resource Center by the WV Division on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse through the SAPT Block Grant annual appropriation by SAMHSA .
  
• Regional teams/CDSs were trained in Synar protocol. (Regions 3 & 4)

  Regional teams are separated into four teams who serve all of our 55 counties. Each team is made up of four (4) Community Development Specialists. Each team received Synar protocol training during one of their regional meetings . The training comprised going through all protocol materials as well as contact information and necessary forms.

• Meeting with WVSP Field Operations Officer was held relative to changes in protocol for troopers implementing '04 Synar inspections.

  Changes of note were troopers citing on the spot; taking a photo of the youth compliance inspector prior to inspection; 14-year old not carrying ID and 15-16 year olds only carrying ID with red background in store to attempt purchase, and troopers citing both the clerk and the store owner/manager.

March:

• Targeted inspections were implemented prior to Synar inspections. (See remarks on Targeted Inspections from January).
  
  Targeted inspections were implemented in the following counties: Kanawha (32 attempts, 13 buys); Greenbrier (10 attempts, 1 buy), and Cabell (10 attempts, 4 buys).
  
  
• Regional teams/CDSs were trained in Synar protocol. (Regions 1 & 2).
  (See above explanation).
  
  
• Meeting with WVDADA staff relative to Synar inspections was held.
  
  
• Meeting took place with Health Statistics Center (HSC) staff relative to vendor list.
  
  
• Memorandum Of Understanding for WV State Police was prepared, sent, and signed.
  
  
• Meeting with WVSP Fiscal Officer was held to discuss timeline and procedures.
  
  
• Worked on vendor list procedures with HSC personnel.
  
  Once HSC personnel sent the Synar Compliance Monitor list from Tax Department to screen, the Monitor called each vendor on the list to check whether vendor was in business and sold tobacco products. For those vendors on the list, should they not have a telephone number listed, the Monitor looked up the number either by online directory or operator-assistance. Should the number not be found by either of those two procedures, the Monitor either called the County Assessor 's Office, State Police detachment, or non-emergency 911 to obtain a number for vendor calling purpose . Over 3,000 phone calls were made.

April:

• Meeting with HSC personnel relative to vendor list was held.
  
  
• Meeting with WVDADA staff relative to Synar implementation took place.
  
  
• Targeted inspections prior to Synar inspections were implemented.
  (See Targeted Inspection information from January).
  
  
• Vendor list for screening purpose was received from HSC.
  (See Vendor List Procedures from March).
  
  
• The screening process began.

May:

• The development of graduated penalty database ( Example_#1 | Example_#2 ) was completed ? targeted inspection data was entered.
  
  
• The Synar Compliance Monitor presented at the Synar regional meeting in San Antonio.
  
  
• Screened vendor lists (over 3,000 vendors) were completed and delivered to HSC for final Synar list preparation.

June:

• Synar Orientation w/ new CDS in Region 1 was completed.
  
  
• Synar Section 214 Penalty Funds Site Visit was held with CSAP Synar Project Officer and team from JBS.
  
  As Developer/Coordinator of the See Red? Retailer Education Initiative, my role was to answer any questions asked of me in expending remaining 214 penalty funds used for the See Red? Retailer Education Initiative for both merchant education and See Red? targeted inspections.
  
  
• Feasibility of county inspections due to flooding was researched.
  
  Flooding occurred the end of May in the following counties: Logan , Raleigh , Mingo, Summers, Wyoming , Braxton, Gilmer, Jackson , Kanawha, Putnam, and Roane counties. Damage assessment was then being carried out. The Synar Compliance Monitor communicated with the WV Office of Emergency Services, their field offices, and State Police detachments to determine that only a few businesses in Logan County were unable to be inspected because of flood damage. That information then went to HSC relative for list finalization .
  
  
• Synar inspection sheets/checks were sent to CDS for implementation of Synar inspections were prepared and distributed.
  
  
• Training for troopers in Synar protocol was held.
  
  Prior to inspections being implemented in a county for a given month, troopers called the Synar Compliance Monitor to discuss Synar protocol and answer any questions they might have relative to implementation . All troopers complied.
  
  
• Active Synar inspection scheduling began.
  
  July ? By County: Calhoun, Jefferson, Kanawha, Morgan, Mercer, Pocahontas, McDowell, Ritchie, Brooke, Berkeley , Monongalia, Grant, Hardy, Greenbrier, Nicholas, Fayette, Raleigh , Upshur, and Wyoming
  
  Aug. ? By County: Braxton, Cabell, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Hancock, Harrison, Preston, Wayne, Boone, Marion, , Mineral, Jackson, Ohio, Wirt, Webster, Lincoln, Marshall, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Preston, Putnam, Summers, Roane, Taylor, and Wood.
  
  Sept. - By County: Berkeley, Boone, Kanawha, Lewis, Ritchie, Clay, Mason, Boone, Hampshire, Logan, and Tucker.
  
  Note: Some counties' inspections were implemented in different months.
  
  Click here for a complete list of results (by county)  

July:

• Meeting with troopers from four detachments prior to inspections (CDS regions 1 & 3) relative to Synar inspections was held.
  
  
• Training for troopers in Synar protocol was held.
  (See June information).
  
  
• New CDS (Region 1) was ?shadowed' during first Synar inspection.
  
  
• Synar inspections were implemented in 19 counties. (See listing above)
  
  
• Inspection results were sent to HSC for compilation.
  
  
• Preliminary Results Chart was prepared.

August:

• Troopers were trained in Synar protocol.
  
  
• Targeted inspections were implemented in 1 county: Preston (1 attempt, 1 buy)
  
  
• Synar inspections were implemented in 28 counties. (See listing above).
  
  
• Inspection results were sent to HSC for compilation.
  
  
• Preliminary Results Chart was updated, as needed.

September:

• Targeted inspections were implemented in 1 county: Tucker (1 attempt, 1 buy)
  
  
• Synar inspections were implemented in 11 counties. (See listing above).
  
  
• Synar inspections were completed.
  
  
• Inspection results were sent to HSC for compilation.
  
  
• Preliminary Results Chart was updated, as needed.

October:

• Thank you notes were prepared and sent to troopers.
  
  
• Thank you letters/certificates were prepared and sent to youth inspectors.
  
  
• A letter of commendation for troopers involved in Synar compliance inspections was prepared and sent. Link to letter of commendation .
  
  
• Disposition of Citation memo was prepared and sent to all detachments. The memo included a questionnaire to troopers involved in Synar compliance inspections asking for feedback.

November:

• Co-presented at ?Share The Vision' Conference with ng information on disposition of citations for WVDADA. Detachment Commander from Gauley Bridge , Fayette County , WV

• Began gathering citation disposition information

• Synar orientation with new CDS in Region 4 in Princeton

• Site Visit to Princeton Detachment (WVSP)

• Synar orientation with new CDSs in Regions 3 & 4 in Flatwoods

• Site Visit to Glenville Detachment (WVSP)

• Chaired CREATE/Enforcement Committee Meeting

• Met w/WVDADA staff relative to ?04s inspections

• Worked with IT Coordinator on Website information

December:

• Chaired CREATE/Enforcement Committee Meeting

• Implemented ?Targeted' inspections in Cabell County (10 attempts/4 buys)

• Implemented ?Targeted' inspections in Harrison County (10 attempts/1 buy)

• Attended staff training/meeting

• Implemented ?Targeted' inspections in Raleigh County (10 attempts/0 buys)

• Implemented ?Targeted' inspections in Ohio County (10 attempts/0 buys)

• Implemented ?Targeted' inspections in Mercer County (10 attempts/1 buy )

• Provided TA relative to Synar Block Grant preparation

• Worked on information for Synar web page

• Provided update/holiday greetings sent to all WVSP detachments

• Entered citation information to graduated penalty database

• Began entering/assessing disposition of citation information from detachment personnel