Strategies to prevent intoxication

Strategies include monitoring, offering alternatives and implementing restrictions on the service of alcohol.

Monitoring can include:

• employing responsible service of alcohol (RSA) marshals to monitor patrons and consumption levels and alert other staff when necessary

• conducting high visibility security patrols to deter people who are approaching intoxication from entering or loitering

• incorporating RSA style messages in venue advertising and promotions to reinforce to patrons that intoxication and associated behaviour is not tolerated

• ensuring any liquor promotions comply with the NSW liquor laws, and in particular, guidelines issued by the Director-General Communities NSW for liquor promotions.

Offering alternatives including:

• low-alcohol drinks, non-alcoholic drinks

• mandatory free water

• having quality food available

• promoting food, low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks

• discounted food and soft drinks for patrons at risk of becoming intoxicated.

Implementing restrictions including:

• limiting the types of alcohol available, particularly late at night; for example restricting the sale of shots and high strength ‘ready-to-drink’ beverages (RTDs)

• implementing voluntary entry provisions, such as a curfew, particularly on busy nights

• limiting the number of drinks that can be purchased at one time, particularly for large venues where patrons can be regularly buying drinks for others who may be drunk

• waiting for patrons to re-order their drinks, rather than topping them up.