Introduction
Several violent incidents involving alcohol consumers have led to the introduction of stringent laws like the liquor lockout law and the one-punch law in Australia (Sweeney & Payne 2011). Most of the entertainment businesses operating at night are crowded by young people who engage in excessive alcohol drinking and drugs. Unfortunately, the excessive consumption of alcohol has led to many cases of assaults on the young people walking in the streets while drunk. All such incidents have forced the government to bring in the legislative changes. These laws have regulated alcohol-related violence and reduced their night-time activities (Livingston 2011). It is, therefore, necessary to establish the perception of the young people who drink alcohol on the new state laws aimed at minimising alcohol-related violence in Sydney.
Research objective
This research will evaluate how university students in Sydney take the state legislative changes to help minimize the alcohol-related violence among teenagers and youth since the night-time economy of the Sydney City is mainly dominated by activities that relate to the young people.
Research question
The research question is summarised as;
What are the views of young people who drink alcohol and are engaged with the Sydney night-time economy on recent state legislative changes aiming to reduce alcohol-related violence in the inner city?
Research rationale
There are adequate reasons and values related to this research and the changes in the state’s legislation regarding consumption of alcohol. This research is also crucial, as it will give a clear assessment of young people’s views on the legislation, that is, the importance of the liquor lockout and one-punch legislation that aims to reduce the number of violent cases related to drunkenness. Therefore, the quant study research will highlight the effectiveness of the legislation in curbing alcohol-related violence and illustrating the views of university students in Sydney in regard to these state changes.
Literature review
Theoretical literature
The theoretical framework of this study is problem behaviour theory. Problem behaviour theory is a socio-psychological framework that explains the nature and development of problem behaviours such as alcohol abuse and crime. This theory views problem behaviour as purposeful, psychologically meaningful and a component of individual development (Babor, Caetano, & Casswell 2010). In other words, person-environment interaction issues cause problem behaviour. This theory has been widely applied to drinking and other risky and problem behaviours (Babor, Caetano, & Casswell 2010).
The primary focus of problem behaviour theory is on three systems of psychosocial influence; the personality system, the perceived environment system, and the behaviour system (Babor, Caetano, & Casswell 2010). The variables in the personality system are at the socio-cognitive level and reflect social meanings and developmental experience. These can be values, expectations, beliefs, attitudes, and orientations toward an individual. The variables in the perceived environment system refer to environmental characteristics including supports, influence, controls, models, and expectations of others. The variables in the behaviour system indicate the degree to which our interest in the domain of problem behaviour has been both differentiated and relatively comprehensive (Livingston, Chikritzhs, & Room 2007).
Empirical literature
As indicated by Livingston, Chikritzhs, and Room (2007), alcohol-related offences have been rising in Australia since the year 2000. For instance, many people under the influence of drugs or alcohol have died in the district of Kings Cross (Sydney). For instance, the number is estimated at 200 in the year 2006 alone (Livingston, Chikritzhs, & Room 2007). Recently, there were two controversial incidents involving deaths of two young men. Livingston (2011) notes that in July 2012, Thomas Kelly was killed by a single punch while walking in a drunken state at night in Kings Cross district. In the similar way another young man named Daniel Christie was also murdered at the same location on the New Year’s Eve (Livingston 2011). After this assault of 31st December 2013, Daniel was admitted while in a coma at St. Vincent’s Hospital (Sydney) where he succumbed to injuries after eleven days. These two cases forced the public to push the government in bringing some stringent state legislative changes (Livingston 2011).
In response to the worrying trend, Livingston (2011) noted that the government introduced the lockout legislation to reduce the number of offences committed under the influence of alcohol. The legislation also states “that the bottle shops will not sell alcohol after 10pm while licensed premises will not serve alcohol after 3.00 am” (Livingston 2011, p. 34). Various researches were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the lockout policy. A major research to study this policy was carried out by Livingston in the year 2007. This study, Alcohol outlet density and assault: a spatial analysis, was conducted in parts in which the first part took statistics of the related areas. The study indicated that the damages and offences committed under the influence of alcohol decreased by 47.5% in licensed places. In public areas where no licenses were required, these assaults reduced by 33.3% after the introduction of lockout law. These statistics were calculated by comparing the number of assaults that were committed one year before the legislative change was brought and one year after its introduction (Livingston 2008).
Despite the introduction of the legislative law, a study carried by Sweeney and Payne (2011) revealed that entertainment continues overnight in some popular tourist areas such as Gold Coast. The authors established that the cases of assaults related to alcohol and other substance abuse rose especially in the early morning hours (Sweeney & Payne 2011). This problem spread to most parts of Australia within a short time leading to the need of introducing the lockout law. In Sydney, the study revealed that few university students have approved the effectiveness of this legislation. Most of them believe that restricting the movement of people under the influence of alcohol during the early morning hours when the streets are isolated would help to reduce alcohol-related violence (Sweeney & Payne 2011).
To summarise, the number of assaults related to alcohol raised the needs to find a lasting solution to this problem. These alcohol-related assaults have also claimed the lives of many teenagers thus making it a threat to other young people. Considering all these factors, it is important to conduct this project so as to determine the views of students on the new legislation and check if the changes can work more efficiently in Sydney.
Methodology
Research approach
A one-to-one semi-structured interview process will be used. The entire research session is expected to take a maximum of two hours. The participants will comprise of students aged between eighteen and twenty-five years (Bryman 2008). A qualitative analysis software known as the NVivo 10 will be used to code the data. After the participating students have identified the transcripts, the course coordinator will select ten transcripts to be used by the participants for the research data.
Sample selection
The most appropriate participants will be selected using the purposive sampling technique of all the SRAP2001 students (Bryman 2008). This will be a non-probability form of sampling. Due to the relevance of the research study, participants will be sampled strategically. The course coordinator will then select the final ten interview transcripts, which will be expected to present the entire interview process and information.
Ethical considerations
The ethical consideration in this research study will be implemented through confidential management of the gathered data (Bryman 2012). For example, students’ registration numbers will be used to identify participants who will take part in the qualitative research study. Besides that, all the interviews will be conducted in private student rooms, away from any public interference (Bryman 2008). The interviewees will not discuss the results of the interview. The gathered data will then be stored in a secure place away from public access or interference. Moreover, the interviewees will be allowed to make inquiries or comments regarding the interview. The participants will also be given the option to not answer the given questions.
Limitations of the methodology
A number of limitations will also be experienced in this research study. Firstly, the interviews will consume a lot of time. A tutorial of one hour would not be adequate to interview all the participants. Secondly, the lack of compatibility between reality on the ground and the people’s narrative explanations will pose a challenge. Other limitations would also include poor structure and behaviour bias during the interviews (Bryman 2008).
Results
Experience with alcohol and external negative impacts
The participants, who were within the age bracket of 18 to 25 years, agreed that the experience with alcohol was not very nice, especially when third parties were involved. All the participants related alcohol consumption to violence, especially among the youths. For instance, Participant 1 confessed that;
The experiences to be honest, haven’t been so good. I’ve witnessed, well not personally witnessed alcohol-related violence, I’ve seen people getting involved in punch-ups and stuff.
In addition, Participant 2 confessed that;
Yeah, I’d say there definitely is a relationship between alcohol and violence because your logical senses are dampened by alcohol.
Alcohol drinking as a problem within the youth culture
The participants shared the same opinion on the youth culture as a contributory factor to alcohol abuse, thus violence. The participants noted that the sometime overindulge to fit within this culture. For instance, Participant 3 noted that;
Yes, I think that people have this perception in the same way in which we take other risks, and that is this invincibility perception.
Potential of the legislative law in reducing alcohol related violence
Although all the participants agreed that the legislative laws have the potential of reducing the alcohol related violence, but none of them came up saying that the impact will be very substantial since people will always be drinking alcohol. For instance, Participant 4 noted that:
After 1.30 am you can’t get into any clubs or bars in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross and last drinks are at 3.00 am, so it’s supposed to prevent alcohol related violence…If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen.
In a rejoinder, Participant 8 stated that;
I’d say minimal. Because I mean even if they do, like I was saying earlier, they won’t actually stop people drinking alcohol, they are just restricting the place where they can get it.
Thus, violence may still occur in targeted area. Participant 5 noted that;
But I don’t know whether it’s going to stop people from having drinks beforehand, before they go out, and getting drunk that way and then coming in.
Addressing the alcohol related violence
In order to address the alcohol related violence, the participants suggested restriction of the number of alcohol venues, increase in police presence, and enactment of tougher laws on alcohol related violence offences. For instance, Participant 6 suggested that;
I guess maybe less venues, but at the same time it just means that more people are just going to be in one place at the same time.
Effects of the legislative laws on the youth drinking habits
The participants confessed that the law has altered their late night drinking habit since it has restrictions on buying alcohol past 11.30 pm. As a result, the participants agreed that they have resorted to drinking at home or private events to avoid being on the wrong side of the law. Participant 7 confessed that;
I have a lot of friends that finish work at 12.00 am, and want to go clubbing afterwards to meet us there: they can’t even get in anymore now that this legislation was implemented.
The same view was shared by Participant 9 and Participant 10, who added that the law has made it impossible for them to buy alcohol past 10.00 pm.
Discussion
The study evaluates the views of young people who drink alcohol and are engaged with the Sydney night-time economy on recent state legislative changes aiming to reduce alcohol-related violence in the inner city. The responses were recorded through a coding system. Coding refers to the process that converts data collected for a research study into a machine-readable format. The coding system is generally a function of the statistical software the researcher or statistician intends to use and the measurement levels of the variables in the study. The variables identified are discussed below.
The findings reveal that the youths who work at night in Sydney and drink alcohol have an indifferent feeling about the legislative changes aiming to reduce alcohol-related violence in the inner city. They view the legislative law as limiting their source of entertainment since violence as a result of alcoholism cannot be related to drinking at night. This finding reveals that there is need to review the legislative law to accommodate other factors. Besides, the participants note that the legislative law will be proactive in modifying the drinking habits. However, none of the participants was convinced that it has the potential of stopping people from drinking alcohol. The participants associated alcohol to violence since excessive consumption of alcohol is associated with impaired judgment and over excitement. As a result, those who are too drunk may participate or be a victim of violence (Livingston, Chikritzhs, & Room 2007).
Among the key motivational factors that influence the perception of youths on the legislative law is the positive feeling and preconceived attitude toward the surrounding or situation, which causes him or her to display a pattern tandem with their attitude. Attitude also refers to the thinking of an individual in response to the central object pertaining to his or her attitudes. The attitude of an individual is bound to change when his or her feeling and understanding of a situation shifts from one point to the other. This shift may be because of change in emotions, which impacts their behaviour and habits. For instance, the role played by the agencies offering services such as mental health and counselling programs may be the key motivator to change among the youth living in Sydney. The actions of these agencies catalyse the progress of the initiatives to exit abusive alcoholism with reference to youths within the city of Sydney (Miller, Sonderlund, Coomber, Palmer, Gilham, Tindall, & Wiggers 2011).
The study identifies services that agencies and interest groups should introduce to assist the Australian youth to find sustainable income, shelter, and motivation to turn a new leaf. For instance, awareness campaigns targeting youth can be organized to sensitise them on the dangers involved in alcohol abusive. This should be run from the society with the aim of discouraging youngsters from using illicit drugs. Additionally, remedies to curb alcohol consumption among youth should be sought to reduce their chances of graduating into violent groups even after rehabilitation.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that the legislative law should be aligned with the individual needs of each youth, which is usually based on factors that contribute to their involvement in street living. As such, those involved in alcohol abuse should be engaged in programs that will help mitigate addiction to facilitate easy rehabilitation into the society. To ensure effectiveness, rehabilitation programs should incorporate reintegration of the youth into the community to prevent alcohol related violence.
Reference List
Babor, T, Caetano, R & Casswell, S 2010, Alcohol: No ordinary commodity-research and public policy, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Bryman, A 2008, Social Research Methods, OUP Oxford, New York.
Bryman, A 2012, Social Research Methods, OUP Oxford, New York.
Livingston, M 2008, “Alcohol outlet density and assault: a spatial analysis,” Addiction, vol. 103, no. 4, pp. 619-628.
Livingston, M 2011, “A longitudinal analysis of alcohol outlet density and domestic violence,” Addiction, vol. 106, no. 4, pp. 919-925.
Livingston, M, Chikritzhs, T & Room, R 2007, “Changing the density of alcohol outlets to reduce alcohol-related problems,” Drug and Alcohol Review, vol. 26, no. 7, pp. 557-566.
Miller, P, Sonderlund, A, Coomber, K, Palmer, D, Gilham, K, Tindall, J & Wiggers, J 2011, “Do community interventions targeting licensed venues reduce alcohol-related emergency department presentations?” Drug and Alcohol Review, vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 546-553.
Sweeney, J & Payne, J 2011, “Alcohol and assault on Friday and Saturday nights: Findings from the DUMA program,” Research in Practice, vol. 14, no 5, pp. 123-146.