Cautious applause for new program targeting problem drinkers
Posted Sep 28, 2011 05:18:26 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Safety and anti-alcohol advocates are applauding a new initiative designed to curb problem drinking in downtown Halifax as a good first step.
The Resturant Association of Nova Scotia has launched a program to curb alcohol-related incidents downtown by banning people who break the law or don’t follow the rules.
Under the new Patrons Accountability Safety and Service – or PASS – program, patrons who use fake IDs to drink underage or who step out of line will be banned from all the participating bars.
Coun. Dawn Sloane (Halifax Downtown,) who’s been very outspoken about unruly behaviour in the downtown core, says the PASS program sends a clear message to people who can’t control themselves.
“They’d better learn how to, otherwise they will not be allowed into bars in the downtown core,” she said. “I don’t think this is a bad way to deal with it.”
Injury Free Nova Scotia executive director Shirley Ann Rogers calls the program a “bite-sized piece” of the problem, but says it’s encouraging to see the business community tackling the problem of binge drinking.
“We’re really supportive of any initiatives that get businesses working together and trying to take an increased role in ensuring that there’s some measure of safety, as much as you can put into the whole drinking arena,” she said. “We see that as a positive step, for sure.”
Rogers cautioned that other steps need to be taken to address the cultural aspect of alcohol abuse, otherwise the PASS program will have only limited success.
“We know the problem is access,” she said. “We know it’s bars that are open until the wee hours of the morning, we know it’s pricing, it’s bars that sell extremely high amounts of alcohol for low prices, youth will just move on to those places where they can get a rush for a very low price.”
MADD spokesperson Susan MacAskill says she’s also pleased to hear the establishments that serve alcohol are taking steps to minimize potentially harmful incidents, but worried about the long-term success.
“Will there be less consumption? Will the frequency of visitors to their establishments be reduced now?” she asked. “All those things will play a part.”
PASS, which is also in effect in Amherst and Vancouver, takes effect on November 1.
