Monday, 16 February 2009
People want safer night venues and entertainment events
The project was established in 2000 in recognition that strategies were needed to reduce the use and associated harms of psychostimulant drugs within night venues and at entertainment events and was recommended as a key initiative of the Amphetamine Summit for implementation from 2008 to 2012.
Over time the project aims to reduce risk factors that contribute to alcohol and drug-related harm and increase protective factors that reduce the harm associated with alcohol and other drug use among this high-risk group.
A major component of the project is the comprehensive evaluation and monitoring strategy. This is comprised of two parts: Patron Survey and a Confidential Observational Checklist.
The two methods of evaluation employed by NVEEP found two main common themes faced by patrons and staff at night venues. The main common theme emerging is in relation to patrons’ alcohol intoxication, but also intoxication from other drugs and the consequent antisocial behaviour.
For example, patrons’ reported problems related to others’ alcohol consumption as being a major issue faced at night venues. Some reported problems related to drug use by fellow patrons. This was also observed by surveyors in the Confidential Observational Checklist.
Of major concern was the fact that 45% of people participating in the patron survey had observed patrons being served to the point of intoxication; this was reflected in the observational audits, where 27% of venues were serving patrons to intoxication. This is a problem that was also observed in the 2007 patron survey and the observational survey that found 20% of venues serving patrons to intoxication.
The 2008 evaluation and monitoring results have been presented to the NVEEP working party. This will be followed by presentations to regional stakeholders and local accord groups. Individual licensed premises that are seen as high risk will meet with Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor, WA Police and DAO to discuss concerns and develop strategies to overcome the issues.
For more information about the project you can contact Alisha Sheldon at DAO on 9471 0411.