Citation

Rowe SC, Wiggers JH, Wolfenden L, Francis JL. J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 2010; 71(6): 909-916.

Affiliation

School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308, Australia, and Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Health Service, Longworth Avenue, Wallsend NSW 2287, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20946749

Abstract

Objective: Although strategies exist to minimize alcohol-related harms associated with establishments licensed to serve alcohol, such establishments are associated with a disproportionate level of harm. To date, understanding the association between such establishments and alcohol-related harms, and hence the opportunities for reducing harm, has been limited by inadequate information regarding incidents of alcohol-related crime. To address this deficiency, this study was undertaken to describe the association between such establishments and incidents of crime using enhanced police-recorded, alcohol-related crime intelligence. Method: A descriptive analysis was undertaken of intoxicated people who had last consumed alcohol in establishments licensed to serve alcohol (841 bars, 551 licensed social clubs, 11 nightclubs, and 18 other locations) preceding their involvement in police-recorded incidents of violence, disorder, or motor vehicle crashes. The study area encompassed 21 non-metropolitan police commands in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Results: Among intoxicated persons involved in incidents of violence, disorder, or motor vehicle crashes, the risk of being recorded as having last consumed alcohol in a bar or nightclub before the incident was at least twice that of licensed social clubs and other establishments. Approximately 20% of establishments accounted for 80% of intoxicated persons involved in such incidents, and 6% of establishments were in the top 20% of establishments for all three offense types. Conclusions: The disproportionate burden of alcohol-related crime associated with establishments licensed to serve alcohol may be reduced if harm-reduction strategies address the specific risks posed by bars and nightclubs, and individual high-risk establishments. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 71, 909-916, 2010).

Language: en