NCJ Number
52901
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 148-155
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
IT IS NOTED THAT OVER 70 PERCENT OF THE ADULT POPULATION IN NEW ZEALAND DRINKS ALCOHOL REGULARLY AND THAT SOCIETY IS AMBIVALENT ABOUT DRINKING. A CONTROLLED DRINKING TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PROBATIONERS IS PROPOSED.
Abstract
THE IMPORTANCE OF ALCOHOL IN THE CULTURE OF NEW ZEALAND IS REVIEWED, AND THE EFFECT THIS PREVALENCE OF DRINKING HAS ON CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IS EXAMINED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT DRINKING PLAYS A ROLE IN 30 PERCENT OF CRIMINAL ACTS IN NEW ZEALAND AND THAT IT ALSO PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. A PLEA IS MADE FOR EARLY TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLICS AND THOSE ON THE HIGH END OF A CONTINUUM OF DRINKING BEHAVIOR. A PROGRAM IS THEN DESCRIBED WHICH WOULD ATTEMPT TO TEACH PROBATIONERS TO CONTROL THEIR DRINKING BEHAVIOR. THE PROPOSED PROGRAM WOULD BE CONDUCTED IN A SIMULATED BAR-LOUNGE ENVIRONMENT AND WOULD COMBINE EDUCATION, ELECTRIC SHOCK TECHNIQUES TO PUNISH INAPPROPRIATE DRINKING BEHAVIORS, AND VERBAL ADMONISHMENT. EVALUATION TECHNIQUES WHICH WILL BE USED ARE DESCRIBED. THESE ARE BASED ON MONTHLY PROBATION REPORTS AND WILL SURVEY DRINKING BEHAVIOR, VOCATIONAL STATUS, DOMESTIC STATUS, INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, AND RESPONSE TO PROBATION. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)