USE OF PSEUDO-PATRONS TO ASSESS COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS REGARDING UNDER-AGE DRINKING

The extent to which door and bar staff of licensed premises responded to possibly under-age patrons was assessed through the use of research assistants (young pseudo-patrons) selected for having the appearance of being under 18 years old, A total of 156 visits were made to 13 lic ensed premises: 1. before delivery of a server training program, 2. im mediately after training, and 3. after three months. Staff rarely chec ked the age and/or identification (ID) of the young pseudo-patrons bef ore or after training. However, a significant interaction was found be tween the sex of the pseudo-patron and the type of premises. Door staf f, who were predominantly at nightclubs, were more likely to check the ID of female pseudo-patrons and hotel bar staff were more likely to c heck the ID of males. In most cases, however, nonphotographic ID was a ccepted. While some strategies are suggested, the strongest and most e ffective measure to prevent under-age drinking will be a more rigorous enforcement of existing liquor laws.