Dealing with Alcohol-related problems in the Night-Time Economy: A Study Protocol for Mapping trends in harm and stakeholder views surrounding local community level interventions

Abstract

BackgroundThis project will provide a comprehensive investigation into the prevalence of alcohol-related harms and community attitudes in the context of community-based interventions being implemented to reduce harm in two regional centres of Australia. While considerable experimentation and innovation to address these harms has occurred in both Geelong and Newcastle, only limited ad-hoc documentation and analysis has been conducted on changes in the prevalence of harm as a consequence, leaving a considerable gap in terms of a systematic, evidence-based analysis of changes in harm over time and the need for further intervention. Similarly, little evidence has been reported regarding the views of key stakeholder groups, industry, government agencies, patrons or community regarding the need for, and the acceptability of, interventions to reduce harms. This project will aim to provide evidence regarding the impact and acceptability of local initiatives aimed at reducing alcohol-related harms.Methods/DesignThis study will gather existing police data (assault, property damage and drink driving offences), Emergency Department presentations and Ambulance attendance data. Further, the research team will conduct interviews with licensed venue patrons and collect observational data of licensed venues. Key informant interviews will assess expert knowledge from key industry and government stakeholders, and a community survey will assess community experiences and attitudes towards alcohol-related harm and harm-reduction strategies. Overall, the project will assess: the extent of alcohol-related harm in the context of harm-reduction interventions, and the need for and acceptability of further intervention.DiscussionThese findings will be used to improve evidence-based practice both nationally and internationally.Ethical ApprovalThis project has been approved by Deakin University HREC.

Typology of alcohol consumers in five Australian nighttime entertainment districts

“…Teams of six to 12 interviewers worked in 4 h shifts, systematically approaching every third person who appeared older than 18 when walking through busy thoroughfares and queuing to enter venues within the specified districts. Locations and time of interviewing were selected on the basis of previous survey research [7,22,23], ensuring the busiest areas with diverse patron characteristics were selected.…”

Correlates and motives of pre‐drinking with intoxication and harm around licensed venues in two cities

“…This paper builds upon international research by investigating the associations between pre‐drinking, levels of alcohol consumption, and experience of harm in a large Australian nightlife sample from two cities: Newcastle (NSW) and Geelong (Victoria). These cities were chosen because of their very similar demographics but very different licensing regimes [5]. Newcastle had strict measures in place, primarily including licensed venues being shut at 3:30am and a one‐way door (or lockout) at 1:30am [6,7].…”

Health system and law enforcement synergies for injury surveillance, control and prevention: a scoping review

“…Schuch et al analysed school transport pathways and child injury data through GIS to better understand the environmental context in which risk for injury was highest 54. In two Australian cities, a project targeted alcohol-related injuries reviewed HS-LE data, observation of alcohol-serving establishments and interview data from key community members to inform alcohol-related injury harm reduction interventions 55. Finally, in another Australian study, evaluation of a pilot model to use ED data to enhance alcohol-related injury surveillance and cross-sector prevention programme integrated closed-circuit television data within the suite of data used to inform programme activities 56…”