Community projects cut alcohol disorder

Community projects cut alcohol disorder, shows research

Initiatives to cut alcohol-related disorder problems through community projects have had a “considerable positive impact” in local areas, shows new research presented at a conference at the University of Bath today (Wednesday 16 April 2008).

Three city-centre initiatives in Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow were funded by the Alcohol Education & Research Council in 2003 with the aim of bringing together different groups to tackle problems associated with alcohol-related harm and disorder.

Transport – improving transport links in order to assist with orderly dispersal of crowds and improve safety, such as by moving taxi ranks or increasing transport options.

These local initiatives, involving the police, hospitals, the local council, bar licensees, transport providers and the general public, set up projects in four key areas:

Awareness raising – promoting local ownership of problems and solutions, warning the public of the danger of excessive consumption
Licensed premises – working with licensees to promote server training, enforce licensing regulations and promote related schemes
General environment – improving lighting and cleanliness of streets, increasing police presence and setting limits on licensing of local outlets
Transport – improving transport links in order to assist with orderly dispersal of crowds and improve safety, such as by moving taxi ranks or increasing transport options.

Some of the initiatives include increasing the number and frequency of late night buses and improving and moving taxi ranks in order to help disperse crowds more quickly.

Full story at University of Bath