Too drunk for a beer? A study of overserving in Stockholm.

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of a community alcohol prevention programme on the frequency of alcohol service to intoxicated patrons at licensed premises. Pretest (1996)-post-test (1999) design. Licensed premises in Stockholm, Sweden. The community alcohol prevention programme, including server training in responsible beverage service (RBS) and policy initiatives in the community, has been conducted since 1996. Actors were hired to enter licensed premises, enact a scene of severe intoxication and attempt to order a beer. At the baseline in 1996, actors visited 92 licensed premises, 47 from the central part of Stockholm and 45 from the southern part of Stockholm. At the follow-up in 1999, 103 licensed premises were visited, 61 from the central part of Stockholm and 42 from the southern part of Stockholm. Observers monitored each visit. At follow-up the actors were denied service of alcohol at 47% of the licensed premises, a statistically significant improvement compared to 5% in the baseline study. Licensed premises refused service of alcohol to intoxicated patrons to a much greater extent than in the baseline study. The improved results can probably be explained by a combination of policy initiatives in the community, changes in the overall enforcement environment and RBS training.