Michael P. Douglas
Restriction of the hours of sale of alcohol in a small community: a beneficial impact
Sydney South West Area Health Service
population halls creek small towi remote kimberley region western australia predominantly aboriginal many years high alcohol consumption number measures taken effor redress negative influence community key among restriction trading hours takeaway alcohol available effects intervention monitored examining longitudinal patterns alcohol consumption incidence crime outpatient data local hospital data compared equivalent period prior restricted trading hours decrease alcohol consumption observed two years followini intervention overall incidence crime declined alcoholrelated presentations hospital presentations resulting domestic violence decreased relative equivalent quarterly period prior intervention shortterm fluctuations observed particularly domestic violence presentations lesser severity became frequent several quarters emergency evacuations result injury showed marked decrease consistency trends across variety health social data show positive effect implementation restricted trading hours direct effect likely multitude concurrent programs promote health community place limitations conclusion process achieving change supported statutory measures however successful curbing morbidity mortality experienced community