Compelled to reward an action it viewed as "honorable," a UNM-affiliated group has given an award, complete with honorary ceremony, to Brewster's Pub and one of its employees for refusing a pregnant woman entry to the bar Oct. 5.
The Statewide Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Project, a division of UNM's Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions, or more commonly known as CASAA, awarded Brewster's the special plaque for its actions to "set a precedent for a bar taking the next step in reducing the chances of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome," according to project organizers.
"It is not often that you see someone turning down a profit in order to do the right thing," said project director Jerome Romero.
According to the group's Web site, the project is currently in its fourth year of a state contract to carry out statewide prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Funded by the State Legislature through the Department of Health, Public Health Division, the program uses public awareness of the syndrome primarily through television and billboard advertisements.
Romero said Brewster's took part in a pilot project last month in which bar employees received special training in how to handle similar situations.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"Brewster's employees had a lot of training prior to the incident," Romero said. "So their awareness was really good, and we just wanted them to see that we appreciate their putting themselves on the line for someone else's best interest."
Heather Timmons, the pregnant student who was turned away from the bar, said she feels that the award is nothing short of "ridiculous."
"I can't believe that I am being painted as an alcoholic mother," said Timmons, a UNM student majoring in biology. "I had no intentions of drinking, I just wanted to see the band that was playing there."
Timmons said that her reason for being at the bar was no one's business because she was well within her right to be there. She added that her purpose for going to the bar has been misunderstood by CASAA.
"I would never think of drinking while pregnant," she said.
Romero said that he is "sympathetic with her position," but added that he believes nine months is not that much time to pause from alcohol-related functions, or any other situation that could endanger the health of her unborn child.
"Our focus is on the health of the fetus," Romero said, adding that he is not questioning Timmons' intentions that night. "I have no doubt that she wants to have a healthy baby."
Timmons said she agrees that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a tragedy, and that she takes every precaution to ensure the health of her child. But, she said, her privacy should be respected and that it is not for any concerned group to "trample on."
Timmons said she spoke to local media to make others aware of the discrimination she believes she suffered. But now, after Brewster's Pub received the award, she and her fiancÇ are discussing possible legal action.
Brewster's Pub management declined to comment on the award. Eric Padilla, the doorman who denied Timmons entry, could not be reached by the Daily Lobo for comment.
