THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALCOHOL RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES - REVISITING THE ISSUES AND IMPACT

Increasingly, liability actions are being launched against local gover nments in relation to alcohol and drug related incidents. As a result, many Ontario municipalities have taken a proactive stance by developi ng Alcohol Risk Management policies. Between 1990 and 1993, fifteen po licies were developed in Wellington and Dufferin counties covering eig hteen municipalities and the properties of thirty-five municipalities that are managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority. A follow-u p evaluation of the policies was completed in the spring of 1994 by st aff from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit and Community Alco hol and Drug Services. This paper revists the issues raised during the policy development process and summarizes results of the evaluation, Recommendations and implications for policy developers, municipal staf f, local politicians and community members are also discussed. The sur vey results indicate that for ten out of fifteen respondents there has been a perceived decrease in the number of alcohol-related incidents in their facilities. In addition,fourteen out of fifteen municipalitie s surveyed indicated that their facility users were generally receptiv e to the policy. Furthermore, all respondents indicated that revenue w as not affected and utilization of facilities did not decrease as a re sult of the policy. Strategies such as developing consistent enforceme nt procedures and alcohol-related educational programs are recommended by many municipalities. Furthermore, increasing community awareness a bout the policy is suggested in order to maximize its impact and accep tability. Overall, there were many benefits realized after the introdu ction of the policy. Clearly, municipal staff, politicians, and commun ity members can improve the health and safety of their local community through the development of Alcohol Risk Management policies.