NORTH WEST GLASGOW Full Locality Report Establishing a baseline for the ‘community perception’ target set out within the Alcohol Theme of Glasgow’s Single Outcome Agreement ADP Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership www.ripple-effect.co.uk CHAPTER 1 Background and Methodology 1.1 In 2014, Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) commissioned a repeat of the Ripple Effect research (originally undertaken in 2007) across 12 neighbourhoods in Glasgow City. The aim was to provide a baseline of progress towards achieving a reduction in levels of negative community perception of the impact of alcohol use on communities. Alcohol & Drug Community Engagers (ACEs) were trained and supported to undertake the research alongside the existing Prevention and Education service provider commissioned by NHSGGC and a commissioned research company. 1.2 Across the city, the research comprised a mixed method approach involving a survey of 2,618 community members (conducted face-to-face, online and self-completion) and 290 individuals taking part in qualitative research (either participatory appraisal methods or focus groups). 1.3 This is one of 3 locality reports, which outlines the results in relation to North West Glasgow where 787 questionnaires were completed and 97 respondents took part in qualitative research. There are 4 neighbourhood reports relating to North West Glasgow, which provide the quantitative survey results for Drumchapel, Ruchill/Possilpark, Lambhill/Milton and Dumbarton Road Corridor (DRC). There is also a comprehensive report outlining the background/introduction, methodology, results and conclusions/recommendations of the research in relation to Glasgow which can be accessed at www.ripple-effect.co.uk www.ripple-effect.co.uk Full North West Locality Report CHAPTER 2 Demographics 2.1 Demographics of survey respondents 2.1.1 The majority of the sample was female (65% versus 35% male). 2.1.2 Figure 2.1 displays the age of the respondents. Just under four in ten respondents (37%) were aged between 16 and 38 years old, with 40% being aged 50 years or older. Figure 2.1: Age of respondents Base = 763 12% 25% 23% 23% 17% 16-24 25-38 39-49 50-64 65+ *The sum of responses do not equal 100% due to rounding 2.1.3 In terms of working status (see Table 2.1), just under half the sample were in employment (49%) with a further 5% being in education. A fifth of the sample was unemployed, 14% were retired and 8% were not working due to ill health. Table 2.1: Working status Base = 757 Working Status % of respondents Employed 49% In education 5% Unemployed 20% Retired 14% Not working due to ill health 8% Carer 2% Other 3% *The sum of responses do not equal 100% due to rounding 2.1.4 Almost all respondents were of white Scottish origin (97%). 2.2 Demographics of qualitative respondents 2.2.1 Of the 97 respondents who took part in the qualitative research, 70% were female and 30% were male. Given the nature of the qualitative research using the participatory appraisal methods, it was not possible to gather more demographic information from respondents. The purpose of the qualitative research was partly to engage with more vulnerable and minority groups and thus respondents included BME groups, those with mental health issues and kinship carers. www.ripple-effect.co.uk Full North West Locality Report CHAPTER 3 Is Alcohol a Problem in Your Community? 3.1 Is alcohol a problem in your community? 3.1.1 Respondents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed that alcohol is a problem in their community. The results are displayed in Figure 3.1. The results indicate that the significant majority of respondents (79%) agreed that alcohol is a problem, with 52% strongly agreeing and 27% tending to agree. Only 8% disagreed that alcohol is a problem. Figure 3.1: To what extent do you agree/disagree that alcohol is a problem in your community? Base = 784 52% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 27% 25% 20% 15% 10% 10% 6% 5% 2% 3% 0% Strongly Tend to Neither Tend to Strongly Don’t agree agree disagree disagree know *The sum of responses do not equal 100% due to rounding 3.1.2 Generally in the qualitative research, respondents spoke about how alcohol was a multifaceted problem which was difficult to separate from the range of other social issues faced in communities. In fact, alcohol was described as a “painkiller” used to mask problems faced by some individuals including boredom and lack of purpose, and also as a form of escapism. It’s not alcohol that’s the problem; that’s just the painkiller. It’s the behaviours that lead to the alcohol. It makes you feel good and becomes the solution to the range of problems faced in these communities…It addresses these short term. Its escapism and a socially acceptable form of escapism. It just causes so many problems and issues, and affects everyone from fights to poverty to bad role models for our kids. www.ripple-effect.co.uk Full North West Locality Report 3.2 Perceived problems caused by alcohol 3.2.1 Respondents were asked what problems alcohol creates in communities. Table 3.1 displays the results for North West Glasgow, the four neighbourhoods in North West Glasgow, and Glasgow overall. Table 3.1: Perceived problems in the community caused by alcohol Base: North West = 787; DRC = 244; Drumchapel = 204; Lambhill/Milton = 145; Ruchill/ Possilpark = 194; Glasgow = 2,618 North Lambhill/ Ruchill/ Problem DRC Drumchapel Glasgow West Milton Possilpark Antisocial behaviour 70% 59% 74% 80% 73% 69% Violence 61% 46% 69% 69% 65% 61% Vandalism 50% 39% 50% 66% 53% 48% Litter 48% 41% 45% 61% 51% 45% Increased noise at 47% 41% 51% 59% 43% 43% night Negative health 44% 38% 47% 48% 44% 41% effects Gang fighting 43% 30% 49% 52% 45% 42% Damages reputation 43% 30% 48% 56% 45% 40% of community Decreased sense of 37% 30% 41% 38% 41% 34% safety Sustains poverty 35% 26% 41% 35% 40% 31% cycle Drinking Dens 31% 21% 36% 36% 36% 30% Increased gender 24% 17% 31% 19% 29% 21% based violence Agent purchase 22% 11% 29% 21% 28% 22% Territorialism 20% 15% 22% 21% 25% 20% Increased sexual 18% 12% 28% 15% 19% 17% crimes Don’t know 4% 9% 3% 1% 5% 4% * responses add up to more than 100% as multiple responses were allowed 3.2.2 The majority of respondents indicated that alcohol was associated with antisocial behaviour (70%) and violence (61%). Gang fighting was also mentioned by 43% of respondents. In the qualitative research, respondents spoke about how alcohol could lead to violence and antisocial behaviour which led to a range of community problems including feelings of intimidation. Lots of violence and antisocial behaviour, makes the area a horrible place to live. People fighting, swearing at each other, it makes you feel intimidated in your own community. The weekends are the worst, gangs hanging about. I stay in on weekend nights to avoid it; I don’t want to get involved. www.ripple-effect.co.uk Full North West Locality Report 3.2.3 Vandalism and litter were further alcohol related problems (50% and 48%). The community looks a mess, no-one cares. Roads are left unfixed, rubbish lying everywhere, no 20 Plenty signs, cars are left smashed up... 3.2.4 Respondents also indicated that alcohol leads to increased noise at night (47%), negative health effects (44%), damages the reputation of the community (43%), and leads to a decreased sense of safety (37%). In the qualitative research, respondents mentioned that alcohol can lead to a lack of investment in the area and a sense among residents that their community is “forgotten”. It has a massive negative effect on this community….The area then becomes blacklisted and there is a lack of investment so the community is left in isolation. 3.2.5 Increased gender based violence (24%) and increased sexual crimes (18%) were further perceived problems. It’s not just what you see; it’s what goes on indoors. Family problems, relationship breakdown, jealousy, lots of domestic violence caused by alcohol. 3.2.6 Agent purchase was a further perceived problem (22%) both in relation to people being pressured to buy alcohol for young people, and also in terms of parents buying alcohol for their children. I get asked every other night, ‘Gonna go and get me a carry out?’ I didn’t realise how rife that was, and how easy it was for them to get alcohol. And then you say no and they give you abuse. My daughter’s school friends are drinking at 12, and their parents are buying it for them. 3.3 Neighbourhood differences in perceived problems caused by alcohol 3.3.1 There were some differences between neighbourhoods in relation to perceived problems caused by alcohol. Community perceptions of particular alcohol related problems were significantly less common in the DRC area than in the other three neighbourhoods, North East and Glasgow overall. These problems are displayed in Table 3.2, i.e. antisocial behaviour, violence, vandalism, gang fighting, damages reputation of the community, drinking dens, and agent purchase. Table 3.2: Perceived alcohol problems in the community where less DRC respondents reported an issue (1) Base: North West = 787; DRC = 244; Drumchapel = 204; Lambhill/Milton = 145; Ruchill/Possilpark = 194; Glasgow = 2,618 North Lambhill/ Ruchill/ Problem DRC Drumchapel Glasgow West Milton Possilpark Antisocial behaviour 70% 59% 74% 80% 73% 69% Violence 61% 46% 69% 69% 65% 61% Vandalism 50% 39% 50% 66% 53% 48% Gang fighting 43% 30% 49% 52% 45% 42% Damages reputation 43% 30% 48% 56% 45% 40% of community Drinking Dens 31% 21% 36% 36% 36% 30% Agent purchase 22% 11% 29% 21% 28% 22% * responses add up to more than 100% as multiple responses were allowed www.ripple-effect.co.uk Full North West Locality Report 3.3.2 Significantly less respondents in DRC than in Drumchapel and Ruchill/Possilpark perceived there to be the following alcohol related problems: decreased sense of safety; sustains the poverty cycle and increased gender based violence.