Let’s Drink to the Rugby World Cup 2011
The way that alcohol is consumed at large-scale public events can send powerful signals about the acceptability (or otherwise) of alcohol related behaviours. Indeed, because they are sometimes televised or reported on, such messages can often be far reaching. The characteristics of such events can also create the conditions in which problems associated with alcohol become magnified or quickly escalate from individual incidents to widespread disorder and violent confrontations involving significant numbers of people. A mix of too much alcohol, jostling crowds, boorish behaviour and even boredom can interact to spark ugly clashes at sporting events. Many of the same situational factors, and the carrying of liquor containers as “ready-made missiles”, have also been linked to problems at other large-scale public events, such as New Year’s Eve festivities.
ALAC have drafted Guidelines for the Management of Alcohol at Large Scale Public Events. There is an opportunity to build on
these guidelines and promote the consistent use of controls in all types of large events that have alcohol available. ALAC along with partner agencies have expressed a specific interest in the area of alcohol management at stadia, with a view towards using the hosting of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand as a catalyst.
The working copy of ALAC Guidelines for the Management of Alcohol at Large-Scale Public Events promotes the use of a range of strategies including:
- Communication – including information to the public before (and during) the event
- Alcohol management – utilising harm minimisation tools, including low-alcohol drinks, food and water, restricting hours of sales and controlling drink containers and number of serves per person
- Supply control – compliance with the law, communication between alcohol management staff and security being vital
- Intoxication – In line with the Sale of Liquor Act, more of an emphasis on the prevention of intoxication using Host Responsibility practices to deal with the intoxicated persons
- Monitoring and enforcement – studies indicate that responsible service of alcohol is achieved when monitoring and enforcement strategies are incorporated alongside training initiatives
- Harm minimisation – provisions of safe areas for intoxicated persons, family or alcohol free areas
- Crowd and environment – individual characteristics, drinking settings, environmental factors
One strategy that has been discussed for some time is the use of a low or mid-strength wet-pour beer, or ‘stadium strength’ beer. The pro-active promotion of low strength beer, or an outright ban on regular strength beer at special events is worth consideration for several reasons:
- Consumption of regular strength beer has been associated with short-term alcohol-related harms (e.g. violence and road injury), Stockwell et al, 1998.
- In New Zealand, young males (18-24 years) are most likely to drink heavily and more likely than any other group to experience short-term alcohol related problems. Dacey, 1997: Field & Casswell, 1999.
- Encouraging the consumption of low alcohol beer also seems to have a positive impact on populations at large. Some governments have provided tax incentives for low alcohol beer or increased cost of regular strength beer. In cases where levels of problem drinking have been particularly high, this has led to measurable declines in per capita alcohol consumption levels (e.g. the Northern Territory excise on beverages 3% alcohol or greater). Stockwell et al., 2001
We would also like to see a closer alignment between food and alcohol being sold together – promoting the ‘eat, drink and stay safe’ message throughout the events
Stadia also need to be recognised as licensed premises and as such need to recognise themselves as having the responsibility of licensed premises – keeping the standards high. It is simply no longer acceptable to allow large numbers of patrons to become intoxicated at stadia or large events and then have those persons move on to other bars in the area or the local CBD in a state where they should not be allowed to enter premises and be served further liquor, and pose a risk to themselves or others. At the same time, the public need to be informed about the standards that are expected of them when attending games at stadia, (e.g. useful work has been done in this area as part of the “Get into it – Not out of it” local campaign in Christchurch.)
ALAC are interested in working with key stakeholders to assist with the management of large events, providing leadership and facilitating discussions towards national consistency of controls for the sale and supply of liquor.
There is an opportunity to convene stakeholders to look at the consistent application and enforcement of strategies, such as the provision of low alcohol in association with other strategies and tools. This is likely to occur in early 2009, with the establishment of a working group, representing a cross section of the sector.
“Many large events are run well across New Zealand, and we have seen vast improvements in recent years. However, there are still some places that could possibly learn some lessons”, says Andrew Galloway, ALAC Project Manager Drinking Environments. “The Rugby World Cup 2011 is fast approaching. If we can use this event as a milestone, I am confident we can achieve a consistent application of the strategies and controls that can be employed at large events – and if we get them in place, and they work well, we will have a model of alcohol management at large events that can remain in place long after the event itself”.
“It’s also not just about the games, but making sure we are working with licensed premises and other businesses and affected parties around the stadia and fan zones throughout each hosting city. We want the 2011 Rugby World Cup to be as safe and enjoyable as possible for all the visitors but we also want to ensure the event takes as little toll as possible on the communities hosting the event. We think if we manage alcohol well, then we will be on the right track.”
Article from alcohol.org.nz December 2008 Issue. Click HERE to see the whole December Issue
January 12 2009 10:28 am | Large Scale Events