The effect of the Safer Bars programme on physical aggression in bars: results of a randomized controlled trial

  1. KATHRYN GRAHAM1,†,*,
  2. D. WAYNE OSGOOD2,†,
  3. ELAINE ZIBROWSKI1,†,
  4. JOHN PURCELL1,†,
  5. LOUIS GLIKSMAN1,†,
  6. KENNETH LEONARD3,†,
  7. KAI PERNANEN4,†,
  8. ROBERT F. SALTZ4,†,
  9. TRACI L. TOOMEY5,†

Article first published online: 29 MAY 2009

DOI: 10.1080/09595230410001645538

Issue

Drug and Alcohol Review

Drug and Alcohol Review

Volume 23, Issue 1, pages 31–41, March 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

GRAHAM, K., OSGOOD, D. W., ZIBROWSKI, E., PURCELL, J., GLIKSMAN, L., LEONARD, K., PERNANEN, K., SALTZ, R. F. and TOOMEY, T. L. (2004), The effect of the Safer Bars programme on physical aggression in bars: results of a randomized controlled trial. Drug and Alcohol Review, 23: 31–41. doi: 10.1080/09595230410001645538

Author Information

  1. 1

    Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Ontario, Canada

  2. 2

    Pennsylvania State University, USA

  3. 3

    Research Institute on Addictions and University of Buffalo, USA

  4. 4

    Prevention Research Center

  5. 5

    University of Minnesota, USA

  1. †

    Kathryn Graham PhD, Senior Scientist and Section Head, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, London, Ontario, Canada; D. Wayne Osgood, Pennsylvania State University, USA; Elaine Zibrowski MA, Research Associate, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, London, Ontario, Canada; John Purcell MA, Project Manager, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, London, Ontario, Canada; Louis Gliksman PhD, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, London, Ontario, Canada; Kenneth Leonard PhD, Research Institute on Addictions and University of Buffalo, USA; Kai Pernanen PhD and Robert F. Saltz PhD, Prevention Research Center; Traci L. Toomey PhD, University of Minnesota, USA.

*Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Suite 200, 100 Collip Circle, London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 4X8. Tel: 5198585000; Fax: 519858 5199; E-mail: kgraham@uwo.ca

  • †

    Kathryn Graham PhD, Senior Scientist and Section Head, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, London, Ontario, Canada; D. Wayne Osgood, Pennsylvania State University, USA; Elaine Zibrowski MA, Research Associate, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, London, Ontario, Canada; John Purcell MA, Project Manager, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, London, Ontario, Canada; Louis Gliksman PhD, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, London, Ontario, Canada; Kenneth Leonard PhD, Research Institute on Addictions and University of Buffalo, USA; Kai Pernanen PhD and Robert F. Saltz PhD, Prevention Research Center; Traci L. Toomey PhD, University of Minnesota, USA.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 29 MAY 2009
  2. Article first published online: 29 MAY 2009
  3. Received 1 August 2003; accepted for publication 30 October 2003

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Keywords:

  • aggression;
  • bar-room;
  • outcome evaluation;
  • prevention;
  • training

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Safer Bars, an intervention to reduce aggression in bars. A total of 734 pre - post-intervention observations were conducted by trained observers on Friday and Saturday nights between midnight and 2 a.m. in 18 large capacity (> 300) Toronto bars and clubs assigned randomly to receive the intervention (69% participation rate of the 26 assigned) and 12 control bars. As part of the intervention, owners/managers completed the risk assessment workbook to identify ways of reducing environmental risks, and 373 staff and owners/managers (84% participation rate) attended a 3-hour training session focused on preventing escalation of aggression, working as a team and resolving problem situations safely. The main outcome measures were rates of severe aggression (e.g. punching, kicking) and moderate physical aggression (e.g. shoving, grappling). Hierarchical linear modelling (HLM) comparing pre -post aggression for intervention versus control bars indicated a significant effect of the intervention in reducing severe and moderate aggression. This effect was moderated by turnover of managers and door/security staff with higher post-intervention aggression associated with higher turnover in the intervention bars. The findings indicate the potential for a stand-alone relatively brief intervention to reduce severe and moderate physical aggression in bars.

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