Effects of a Community-Based Drug Use Prevention Program Targeting Licensed Premises

• NCJ Number: 221120
• Journal: Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 42 Issue: 12-13 Dated: 2007 Pages: 1883-1898
• Author(s): Johanna Gripenberg; Eva Wallin; Sven Andreasson
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The study evaluated the effects of a community-based drug use prevention program on the frequency with which doormen at licensed premises intervened in cases of obviously drug impaired patrons.

Abstract

Findings indicate that the Swedish urban community-based drug use prevention program affects nightclub doormen’s behavior. After completing the 2 day drug training, doormen demonstrated a higher prevalence of intervention in cases of obviously drug impaired patrons; the intervention techniques used by doormen were precisely the techniques taught at the drug training sessions. According to Swedish law, drug impaired persons are not allowed into licensed premises. It is a criminal offense to be intentionally drug impaired since 1986, and since 1993, being found in drug induced impairment could result in fines or a prison sentence for a maximum of 6 months. Licensed premises risk losing their liquor license if they allow drug impaired patrons to enter their establishments. In recent years, a number of violent incidences have occurred at nightclubs, including the shooting deaths of doormen at the hands of patrons who had been denied entry. During a 2-year period (2002 to 2004), there were eight shootings, one fatal, in central Stockholm. Police have granted doormen authority to arrest and turn over to police persons who are deemed drug impaired. A pilot study was conducted to examine doormen’s intervention in an authentic setting. Two male professional actors in their late 20s were hired as pseudo-intoxicated patrons and after careful rehearsal of a standardized scene where the actors portrayed obvious signs of cocaine/amphetamine impairment, visited nightclubs. The study design ensured that the actor’s portrayals were standardized, and observation techniques and data collection instruments were tested and refined. A followup study was conducted during the spring of 2004 using the exact procedures from the 2003 baseline study. The results show the doormen at nightclubs intervened more frequently in cases of obviously drug impaired guests in 2004 than they did at baseline in 2003. Tables, figure, glossary, references, and appendix