NCJ Number
189074
Journal
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2001 Pages: 141-149
Editor(s)
Betsy Thom
Date Published
May 2001
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article examined Australian police officers’ feelings regarding the impact and reasons for excessive alcohol consumption within the policing occupation.
Abstract
This article assessed what Australian police officers felt were the major contributing factors to alcohol consumption within the policing occupation and examined which of these factors were actually predictive of risk of harmful drinking measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The intent was to extend previous work that had examined workplace characteristics of policing with the potential to contribute to harmful alcohol use. The study surveyed 749 members from both a metropolitan and regional division of the Australian State Police Service. Results indicated that alcohol consumption was a potential problem within the police force. Over a third of the sample showed risk of problem alcohol consumption. When asked to rate the importance of factors contributing to their drinking, officers rated social factors and socializing with peers as the most important factors. Factors related to stress emerged as the most predictive of scores. Officers appeared to be drinking to reduce stress and for social reasons. While stress is an important underlying factor in risk of harmful drinking, officers feel that they drink mostly for social reasons. The study provided evidence that alcohol intervention strategies are needed within the police workplace. It was emphasized that for strategies to reduce alcohol consumption to be successful they must not only tackle stress but also be attuned to the importance of social factors and culture to police officers. References