Guidelines for Managing Alcohol at Large Events The way that alcohol is consumed at large events can send powerful messages about the acceptability (or otherwise) of alcohol-related behaviours1 1 New Zealand Police 2006 Guidelines for managing alcohol at large events • 3 Contents Introduction 4 10 Alcohol sales outlets .............................................................. 17 Aims and objectives: .................................................................. 4 11 Drink containers and number of serves .......................... 17 Why do we need the guidelines? .......................................... 4 12 Family/Whānau or alcohol-free areas ............................... 18 Who are they for? ......................................................................... 4 13 Visible and active security providers ................................ 18 14 Proficient security providers and bar staff .................... 19 Background 7 15 Visibly monitoring and enforcing The harmful effects of alcohol consumption .................. 7 supply to minors ...................................................................... 20 New Zealand’s drinking culture............................................. 7 16 Visibly monitoring and enforcing Licensee responsibilities ......................................................... 8 the law on intoxication ........................................................... 20 The planning approach ............................................................. 8 17 Providing safe areas for intoxicated patrons ................ 21 18 Patrons’ entertainment ........................................................ 22 Standard guidelines 9 19 Post-event evaluation ........................................................... 22 Strategies and actions The Law 23 for alcohol management 11 Intoxication ....................................................................................23 Strategies .......................................................................................11 Minors ...............................................................................................24 1 Licensing ....................................................................................... 11 Promotion of Alcohol .................................................................25 2 Communication ......................................................................... 11 3 Alcohol management plan ..................................................... 11 Appendix 1: A guide to writing an alcohol management plan for a large event 26 4 Supply control ............................................................................. 11 5 Intoxication minimisation ........................................................ 11 What is an alcohol management plan? .............................26 6 Monitoring and enforcement ............................................... 12 Why have an alcohol management plan? ........................26 7 Harm reduction ........................................................................... 12 How to develop an alcohol management plan ..............26 8 Crowd and environment .......................................................... 12 Appendix 2: Template for an Actions .............................................................................................12 alcohol management plan 28 1 Setting expectations ............................................................... 12 2 Education and information ..................................................... 12 References 34 3 Effective planning and collaboration .................................. 13 4 Alcohol management plan ..................................................... 13 5 Providing and promoting non- and low-alcohol drinks ...................................................................... 14 6 Providing and promoting food and water ......................... 15 7 Alcohol restrictions .................................................................. 15 8 Alcohol promotions ................................................................... 16 9 Alcohol sale hours ...................................................................... 16 4 • Guidelines for managing alcohol at large events Introduction These updated guidelines have been produced Why do we need the guidelines? by the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) in The responsible management of alcohol means providing partnership with the New Zealand Police. a safe and enjoyable environment for patrons, and serving They reflect a joint commitment to taking an alcohol responsibly so that patrons do not become evidence-informed approach to addressing the intoxicated. issue of alcohol management at large events. Ineffective alcohol management, particularly irresponsible serving, is often accompanied by high-risk behaviours and can lead to a variety of problems. Poorly Aims and objectives: managed alcohol consumption can make problems • to produce a resource tool in conjunction with the worse to the point where the event is neither safe nor regulatory agency partners to guide the management successful for patrons as well as staff and organisers of alcohol at large events (Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing 1999). • to provide guidance and resources that will assist event The management of alcohol consumption is a major part organisers, licensees, bar staff and security providers to of event management that must be planned with harm- provide responsible and safe drinking venues minimisation strategies well in advance of the event itself. • to provide guidance in the preparation of an alcohol management plan Key issues include: • to assist regulatory and other interested agencies • the way alcohol is served to promote host responsibility at large events. • the physical environment in which alcohol is consumed • the ways in which relevant regulatory frameworks are These Guidelines for Managing Alcohol at Large Events monitored and enforced. reflect best-practice models and provides additional • The way that alcohol is consumed at large events resources to ensure national consistency in its use. It can send powerful messages about the acceptability supplements other existing documents such as the (or otherwise) of alcohol-related behaviours Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management’s (New Zealand Police 2006). Safety Planning Guidelines for Events, and complement HPA’s Intoxication Monitoring and Enforcement Guidelines, Controlled Purchase Operation Guidelines, Who are they for? National Guidance on Alcohol Promotions and Host The guidelines are designed for individuals and agencies Responsibility Guidelines for Licensed Premises. who work collaboratively in ensuring that alcohol Where relevant, HPA’s Guidelines for Safe Zones at consumption at large events is managed legally Large Events (2013) should be used in conjunction and effectively. They include: with these guidelines. New Zealand Police Where the large event is a wine event, HPA and New Zealand Wine’s Guidelines for Hosting Successful While the Police have many roles at large events (such Large-scale Wine Events (2014) should be used in as crowd control), they are also responsible for ensuring conjunction with these guidelines. compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (SSAA) on licensed premises, including the provisions The guidelines (including the Standard Guidelines on page relating to intoxication and minors. Police Operations 12) are not intended to be prescriptive – they simply provide Commanders are responsible for managing the policing useful advice, guidance and recommendations for people of the event, supported on the day of the event by Team planning alcohol management at large events. The guidelines Policing. Police Alcohol Harm Prevention Officers are also assist regulators in a similar way, but are not intended to responsible for licensing large events under the provisions prevent decisions on an event case-by-case basis. of SSAA, and ensuring their compliance with the Act. Guidelines for managing alcohol at large events • 5 Licensing Inspectors Duty managers Since large events where liquor licences are in force are Duty managers are also responsible for ensuring deemed to be licensed premises, they must meet the compliance with and enforcement of SSAA and licence same SSAA requirements as any other licensed premises, conditions. They are responsible for the conduct of particularly in preventing intoxication and sales to minors. licensed areas and, in particular, ensuring that the Licensing Inspectors have a responsibility to license large conditions applying to prohibited people (minors and events under the provisions of SSAA and ensure their intoxicated patrons) are observed and complied with. compliance with the Act. They have a responsibility to conduct monitoring and observations of the event, Event managers which also ensures compliance with licence conditions. As the people responsible for events’ overall The responsible management of alcohol means management, event managers are also responsible for overall alcohol management, even if they are not providing a safe and enjoyable environment for the licensees. They must ensure licensees act patrons, and serving alcohol responsibly so that according to SSAA. patrons do not become intoxicated. Council events staff Public Health Service – Medical Officer of Health and Council events staff organise many large events on behalf Health Protection and Health Promotion Officers of their councils, and as event managers have overall