Second Hand Effects

SECOND HAND EFFECTS OF DRINKING

In addition to the individual harm caused by alcohol, many communities, including Kingston experience the second hand effects of drinking such as neighbourhood disturbances, noise, public intoxication, property damage, vandalism, physical and sexual assault, and alcohol crashes. In a 2006 Ontario survey, 31% of survey respondents had experienced one or more types of disruption or harm related to someone else's drinking. This included serious arguments, verbal insults or abuse, pushed or shoved, physical assault, and family or marriage problems.56 Locally, 49% ofall Queen's University undergraduate students arebothered bysomeoneelse's drinking at least once amonth and 23% are bothered at least once a week.⁵⁷

In a study of the second hand effects of student alcohol use reported by neighbours of colleges in the United States, it was found that "neighbours living near college campuses were more likely to report a lowered quality of neighbourhood life through such second hand effects of heavy alcohol use as noise and disturbances, vandalism, drunkenness, vomiting and urination."⁵⁸ Th s effect was particularly prominent when there were more alcohol outlets within a mile of the campus.

Th s map indicates the number of locations selling alcohol within walking distance of each of Kingston's post secondary schools. Of the 186 licensed establishments in the City of Kingston, 51% are within 1.5 km or a 15 minute walk of Queen's University campus.⁵⁹

Respondents to the 2012 City of Kingston Alcohol Public Opinion Survey2 reported that in the past 12 months:

• 23% experienced problems in their neighbourhood as a result of others drinking,
• 11% have had serious arguments as a result of someone else's drinking,
• 15% have been verbally abused by someone who had been drinking,
• 4% have been physically assaulted by someone who had been drinking, and
• 13% have had family problems or marriage diffi ulties due to someone else's drinking.

Alcohol-related Crime

On June 6, 2012 the Kingston Policeheldacommunitymobilization meeting for individuals who live or work in the area bordered by University Avenue, Princess Street, Ontario Street, and King Street. The purpose of the meeting was to seek public input on issues of concern and to support the community in dealing with root causes of crime and insecurity. The 34 participants were broken into 7 groups and asked to identify their top 6 issues within this geographic area. The top five issues identified overall by the groups included graffiti, panhandlers, drugs, liquor offences, and mental health. Three of the seven groups identified "liquor offences", "public intoxication" or "public drinking and intimidation" as one of their top 6 issues.⁶⁰

"...(In addition to) fatalities caused by impaired drivers...we must also be mindful of the potential for other serious consequences of intoxication, ranging from property damage to personal injury, or even death."

Kingston Police Chief Stephen Tanner

Alcohol and Violence

The link between alcohol consumption and violence is well established. In a systematic review of the literature completed by Ontario's Alcohol Policy Network, the authors identified six major themes or categories in their search on alcohol and community based violence. These themes included alcohol outlet density, alcohol sales, alcohol price, alcohol sale hours, the bar environment, and emergency department injuries.⁶³

Bar environments that abide by the following practices or have the following characteristics are more prone to violence and other alcohol-related injuries and harm:

• Drink specials, volume discounts, pitchers, table service and other practices that   increase consumption
• Serving to intoxication
• Serving underage
• Lack of server training
• Overcrowding
• No clear house policies developed⁶³

Not only are patrons of these licensed venues at heightened risk of involvement in aggression and violence, staff are at increased risk as well.⁶⁴

For several years the Kingston Police have been proactively monitoring public safety concerns and calls for service for any connection to alcohol impairment and have been working with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission to promote accountability and responsibility on the part of licensed premises. Effective August 2012, all police services in Ontario will be required to contact the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) when the sale of alcohol from a licensed premise is suspected to have contributed to serious injury or death.⁶⁵

Alcohol and Sexual Assault

• A 2004 survey showed that the rate of sexual assault for Canadians aged 15 to 24 was almost 18 times greater than for those 55 and over."⁶⁶
• Higher rates of sexual assault were also reported by students and those who frequently engaged in evening activities, e.g. going out to restaurants, bars, movies, or visiting friends.⁶⁶
• Data from police-reports in Canada for 2007 indicate that in 82% of the cases where the relationship could be determined, the victim knew the perpetrator.⁶⁸
• Statistics like these are especially important in a community where we have such a large student population (approximately 24,000 full time undergraduate students).

In popular culture, on television and in the movies, taking advantage of someone who has been drinking is made light of and is often the goal. This sends the harmful message that it's okay and even acceptable to take advantage of someone who has been drinking. Sexual aggression is one of the most common forms of aggression observed in many drinking establishments, especially dance clubs, nightclubs and other places, where many patrons go for the explicit purpose of meeting sexual and romantic partners.⁶⁴

Domestic Violence

The Sixth Annual Report of Domestic Violence Death Review Committee Office of the Chief Coroner, Ontario (2008) - found that between 2003 and 2008 excessive alcohol and drug use was found in 42% of the cases (n=77), in 2008 alone the number was 47% of the cases (n=15).⁶⁹

A California study of alcohol outlet density found that "an increase of one bar or pub per square mile was associated with a 3% increase in the risk of an emergency department visit for intimate partner violence." The presence of restaurants had no effect.⁷⁰