Alcohol Projects
Current Projects
Safer Bars 2008-2010
Funded by Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000 Grants
Safer Bars WA is a pilot training program to reduce violence and injury in and around bars [for the purpose of this project, 'bar' refers to hotels, bars, nightclubs and/or other licensed venues] in metropolitan Perth by increasing the capacity of staff to identify risk factors and respond to problem situations. The target group of Safer Bars WA is bar staff with outcomes also benefiting patrons in and around the bar. This pilot project seeks to adapt the training materials of the Safer Bars program, developed in Canada in the late 1990’s, for use in Australia while providing evidence of positive outcomes similar to the Canadian program in Western Australia contexts. The original Safer Bars training in Canada has shown to be highly valued by staff and managers with 98% reported as being highly satisfied with the training. The results of the Safer Bars outcome evaluation indicated that the program resulted in a 30% reduction in violent incidences in bars where it has been trilled in Canada.
Safer Bars WA differs from Responsible Service of Alcohol [RSA] training greatly in its main goals. RSA is compulsory for licensed premises in Western Australia, and is focused on preventing drunkenness. The Safer Bars WA project differs considerably in that it is specifically focused on reducing risk factors and enhancing staff skills to prevent aggression and violent incidents in and around bars.
Safer Bars WA will allow for the development and implementation of training for bar staff to reduce aggression, violence and injury in and around licensed premises. Furthermore, it will serve as a means to develop a more tailored training program which can be used state-wide and will be effective for Western Australian licensed venues.
Alcohol. Think Again
Partnership project between Drug and Alcohol Office and ICCWA.
The campaign is a long term strategy aimed at reducing risky alcohol use through changing the acceptability of drunkeness within the community and creating safer drinking environments.
Alcohol Think Again>
Past Projects
Drink or Drunk 2008-2009
Funded by National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund
Licensed premises have been identified as drinking locations that are especially high risk for alcohol related intoxication and problem behaviours such as aggression and violence. ICCWA carried out by research which investigated community violence among young people. Perpetrators of violence indicated that staff at licensed premises continuing to serve people who were already intoxicated as a major factor leading to violence. Research looked at why staff members at licensed premises serve patrons who are drunk, despite it being illegal.
Working within a framework which encompasses broader management practices and principles, the specific objectives of the project are as follows:
- An understanding of the reasons as to why staff on licensed premises serve patrons who are drunk despite illegality;
- An understanding of factors that increase the likelihood of staff on licensed premises serving patrons who are drunk;
- The identification of possible strategies and interventions designed to reduce the likelihood of staff on licensed premises serving patrons who are drunk.
This project was conducted in Northbridge, Rockingham and Kalgoorlie.
Pseudo Underage Liquor Sales Research Project 2006
Funded by Drug and Alcohol Office WA
The main purpose of the study was to ascertain how often purchasers were challenged to verify their age and how many successful purchase attempts were made. Eight teams of one underage-looking eighteen year old purchased accompanied by an older interviewer were allocated different audit routes over the research period. These audits occurred on Fridays and Saturdays between 4:30pm and 9:30pm over six successive weekends. A total of 110 licensed retail venues were visited with most venues visited twice; once by a female purchaser and once by a male purchaser. The 18 year old purchasers carried no identification and attempted to purchase $15 worth of single units of alcohol beverages.
The results showed that 77% of outlets sold alcohol to underage-looking people without asking for identification. For more information, please read the full-report.
Alcohol Youth Forum 2003-2004
Funded by Drug and Alcohol Office WA
A major project undertaken by ICCWA was the Youth Alcohol Project (YAP), an 18 month project funded by the Drug and Alcohol Office (DAO) in late 2003. The goal of the project was to reduce the problems associated with drunkenness among young people aged 14-25. The project raised awareness about the extent of alcohol-related problems affecting young people, increased community support for evidence-based structural change and community action, and raised preparedness to act among the community. One of the main initiatives of the YAP was the 2004 Youth Alcohol Forum. The day long forum was held in July 2004, and over 90 key stakeholders, community members and young people participated. The forum highlighted a need for community education, awareness and mobilisation around the issue of young people and drunkenness.