Intervention can break the pattern of alcohol-related crime

The National Alcohol Assessment, the first research of its kind specific to New Zealand, has identified alcohol consumption as a key driver of offending and victimisation. The assessment also indicates that targeted interventions by Police and other government agencies can have a positive impact in reducing alcohol-related incidents.

So what can police do to reduce the impact of alcohol on offending and victimisation? Alcohol Programme Manager, Inspector Tracy Patterson, says the demographics of offenders outlined in the assessment show Police where to target efforts to deter offending. “It also gives us information on what type of intervention has an impact. We know, for example, that controlled purchase operations (CPO) have a positive effect on reducing the sale of liquor to minors,” she says.

Five projects targeted at reducing the harm caused by alcohol were successful their bid for funding from ACC.

The Taumarunui HAVOC programme focuses on ‘at risk’ youth, targeting ring leaders at schools with alternative education programmes to engage them in positive and alcohol-free activities. The programme actively encourages the participation of parents – with some activities only open to youths who are accompanied by a parent.

Te Kuiti’s Rollin programme is an eight-week intensive drink-driving programme involving participants and their whānau. Licensed premises which breach their terms of licence will be targeted, and an advertising campaign and enforcement activity aims to raise awareness among the community of drink-driving and underage drinking issues.

Young drivers who pass through the programme will receive follow-up monitoring and will attend a graduation if they complete the programme successfully.

Tauranga is running a Drink Driving Expo designed to appeal to young drivers before they get into trouble with drink driving. Young people aged 15 and 16 will be targeted with a series of workshops to make them think about the consequences of drink driving and encourage them to plan alternatives before they begin drinking.

Insurance, emergency response to crashes and the effect of a conviction on their ability to travel outside New Zealand will be topics for consideration. Tamati Paul, a successful waka ama and life saver who was hit by a drunk driver and seriously injured, will give a presentation.

Jitty Singh in Howick is taking part in the ‘Think Drink’ programme. Photo: Shane Wenzlick, Eastern Courier

Parents will also be asked to attend a workshop so they can engage in positive learning for themselves and for their children. Media and marketing campaigns and visible enforcement of alcohol prevention measures in public spaces and on licensed premises will support the campaign.

Gisborne’s GLO will see a multi-agency team taking services wherever they are needed using a mobile one-stop shop. This programme builds on last year’s successful ‘Street by Street’ project which found the public often do not take the initiative to go out and find the help they need. Once people are engaged with the correct agencies they are more likely to interact positively.

Rodney’s ‘Raise up and Represent’ aims to actively engage youth in alcohol-free projects so the community see them making a positive contribution.

A series of youth workshops, events and activities will be held.

Partial funding also goes to Counties Manukau’s ‘Think Drink’ project, in which Police are working with alcohol sales outlets.

Videos with the primary message of ‘Buying alcohol for young people doesn’t buy them a good time’ are being shown at the point of sale of participating outlets.

Reusable bags printed with distinctive anti-drink drive and anti-selling alcohol to youth messages are also being used.