Monday, 16 February 2009
Night Venues and Entertainment Events Project (NVEEP)
The Night Venues and Entertainment Events Project (NVEEP) is coordinated by the Drug and Alcohol Office (DAO) and in partnership with the WA Police, Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor, the Nightclub Owners’ Association, the Australian Hotels’ Association, and Curtin University’s National Drug Research Institute.
There are currently two campaigns running as a result of this project:
1. NVEEP ‘Water’ Campaign
Dehydration and overheating are a big problem in nightclubs, pubs and at other licensed events. Many people are unaware that tap water is provided free, so rather than pay for highly-priced bottled water they opt for drinking more alcohol which dehydrates them further.
The law in Western Australia states “where liquor is sold and supplied for consumption on the premises, all licensees are required to provide potable drinking water for patrons to consume on the premises free of charge during trading hours".
The aim of this campaign is to inform people that by law, tap water must be made available free at all licensed venues and to encourage people to ask for free water at the bar.
2. NVEEP ‘True Friend’ Campaign
Staff at bars, nightclubs, sporting events and other licensed venues waste a lot of time dealing with intoxicated, rowdy and offensive people. The trouble caused by intoxicated people can have a negative effect on people’s enjoyment while they are out. Many people feel that it is the responsibility of staff to step in and deal with these intoxicated people.
Intoxication affects more than just the staff of licensed premises. According to a recent survey of Perth licensed venues, 40% of patrons have trouble with other people’s alcohol problems half of the time they are out, and 14% have trouble with other people’s drug problems half the time they are out. While people don’t feel comfortable confronting intoxicated strangers, they are happy to confront friends who are becoming intoxicated. However, more often than not, they leave intervening until it is too late and their friend has already become intoxicated and rowdy.
The aim of this campaign is to:
- Encourage people to look after their mates by preventing them from becoming intoxicated and offensive e.g. help your friends by not buying them more alcoholic drinks when they have had too much or by taking them home.
- Encourage acceptance of bar staff’s refusal of service.