Aims:
To examine the planning and early implementation process associated with the reintroduction of the Banned Drinker Register (BDR) in the Northern Territory.
Evaluation Questions:
Three key questions underpinned this evaluation:
- Was the policy implemented as intended?
- Is the BDR meeting its objectives?
- What improvements or changes are required?
Summary:
- The BDR is a policy initiative which aims to improve community health and safety by reducing alcohol-related harms. It is an explicit alcohol supply reduction measure that involves placing people that consume alcohol at harmful levels, to themselves or others, onto a register which prohibits the consumption, possession or purchase of alcohol. In its current format, the limitation of purchasing is enacted through take-away alcohol outlets. The length of time an individual is on the BDR may differ from three, six or 12 months.
- The BDR had initially been introduced in 2011-2012. It was decommissioned swiftly during a change of government, without any formal evaluation of the planning and implementation processes, or subsequent impacts or outcomes.
- The BDR was officially reintroduced in the NT on 1 September 2017. The Minister for Health made a commitment that the BDR implementation process would be evaluated by June 2018 with independent oversight. Menzies School of Health Research was approached to assist with this task in March 2018.
Implications for policy and practice:
- The evaluation included 23 recommendations directed towards the Northern Territory Government to inform future policy, practice and research related to the BDR
Our research has found:
This evaluation found that:
- BDR is one of many alcohol harm minimisation policy initiatives, it does not work in isolation. It forms part of the contribution in achieving a healthier and safer community by reducing alcohol related harms.
- The influences, impacts and outcomes of the BDR need to be understood in the context of other alcohol harm minimisation policy reforms and initiatives underway in the NT (such as those outlined in the Alcohol Harm Minimisation Action Plan 2018-19).
- The BDR is working effectively in identifying a sub-set of people who misuse alcohol and are engaged in anti-social behaviour and the justice system.
- The BDR is changing some people’s behaviours around alcohol use – but there are still people on the BDR accessing alcohol and engaging in behaviour that brings them into contact with the justice system. Secondary supply and grog running are not stopped by the BDR.
- The self-referral option offered through the BDR is showing encouraging signs of uptake. This voluntary pathway could be promoted further.
- The BDR provides a unique opportunity to engage in assertive health promotion outreach activities. This element can be strengthened through engagement of the community based alcohol and other drugs workforce.
- The uptake of therapeutic services among people on the BDR has been low. The promotion of these services and the respective referral pathways could be enhanced.
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Project dates
Completed