Kerri Coomber1, Dominique de Andrade1,2, Cheneal Puljević3,4, Jason Ferris3, Michael Livingston5, Nicholas Taylor1, Alan Clough6,7, Peter G Miller1,7,8. 1. School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. 2. School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. 3. Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. 4. School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. 5. Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. 6. College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences and the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia. 7. National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. 8. Menzies Research Institute, Darwin, Australia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: In July 2016, the Queensland government introduced the Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence policy, with some amendments over the subsequent 12 months. Key measures included restricting alcohol sales to 3 am in safe night precincts (SNPs), limiting the annual number of extended trading permits (i.e. trading until 5 am) and introducing mandatory networked identification scanners. We examined the policy impact on the number of serious assaults across all combined SNPs and in five major SNPs: Fortitude Valley, Cairns, Surfers Paradise, Toowoomba and Townsville. DESIGN AND METHODS: Using police data (July 2009-June 2019), we examined the impact of the policy on serious assaults during high-alcohol hours (high-alcohol hours; 8 pm-6 am, Friday and Saturday), employing time series methods. RESULTS: Across all SNPs there was no significant change in the number of serious assaults during overall high-alcohol hours, but a significant 49% decrease in the monthly number of serious assaults between 3 am and 6 am on Friday/Saturday. A significant decrease in the monthly count of serious assaults during high-alcohol hours and specifically 3 am-6 am on Friday/Saturday was evident in Fortitude Valley SNP (52%), and during high-alcohol hours in Toowoomba SNP (43%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Although results were mixed, there was evidence of some promising reductions in alcohol-related violence in SNPs. It is likely that factors such as extended trading permits (venues not closing at 3 am), continued drinking in some venues and 24-h trading in casinos have reduced the potential impacts seen elsewhere.
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: In July 2016, the Queensland government introduced the Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence policy, with some amendments over the subsequent 12 months. Key measures included restricting alcohol sales to 3 am in safe night precincts (SNPs), limiting the annual number of extended trading permits (i.e. trading until 5 am) and introducing mandatory networked identification scanners. We examined the policy impact on the number of serious assaults across all combined SNPs and in five major SNPs: Fortitude Valley, Cairns, Surfers Paradise, Toowoomba and Townsville. DESIGN AND METHODS: Using police data (July 2009-June 2019), we examined the impact of the policy on serious assaults during high-alcohol hours (high-alcohol hours; 8 pm-6 am, Friday and Saturday), employing time series methods. RESULTS: Across all SNPs there was no significant change in the number of serious assaults during overall high-alcohol hours, but a significant 49% decrease in the monthly number of serious assaults between 3 am and 6 am on Friday/Saturday. A significant decrease in the monthly count of serious assaults during high-alcohol hours and specifically 3 am-6 am on Friday/Saturday was evident in Fortitude Valley SNP (52%), and during high-alcohol hours in Toowoomba SNP (43%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Although results were mixed, there was evidence of some promising reductions in alcohol-related violence in SNPs. It is likely that factors such as extended trading permits (venues not closing at 3 am), continued drinking in some venues and 24-h trading in casinos have reduced the potential impacts seen elsewhere.
Authors: Cathy Ure; Elizabeth J Burns; Suzy C Hargreaves; Mira Hidajat; Margaret Coffey; Frank de Vocht; Suzanne Audrey; Sue Hare; Kate Ardern; Penny A Cook Journal: Int J Drug Policy Date: 2021-08-27