Responsible hosts
According to international research licensed premises have been identified as locations which are especially at risk as regards aggressive and violent behavior due to intoxication from alcohol. Therefore it is important to develop strategies which can help to modify consumption and thereby reduce the risk of these problems occurring.
Responsible Hosts is a program aimed at improving the drinking environment in
licensed premises. It focuses on better identification of intoxicated
guests, more restrictive serving and prevention of aggressive episodes.
It can be used in local communities as an instrument to reduce the negative
consequences of drinking of alcohol.
Responsible Hosts
- Aims to prevent and reduce problems related to serving of alcohol
- Targets especially alcohol related violence in and near-by licensed premises
and emphasizes that the licensed premises:
- Shall not serve alcohol to clearly intoxicated persons
- Shall not serve alcohol to under-aged persons
- Shall prevent and resolve conflicts
Licensed premises which take part in the program and carry the label
Responsible Hosts also promise to give information and training to the
staff, to follow the Alcohol Act and the local regulations and to implement
good practice when serving guests.
The main elements
When the program starts, the managers and owners receive an invitation to
discuss how they can reduce problems in their own establishments and in
their local communities. In this way they can supplement the program to suit
the local conditions.
They also start collaboration with the police and the municipality. Managers
are given a checklist to monitor the risk of violence in their work places.
From this they can establish better security routines and house policies
which are to be practiced by all the staff. There will be arranged a two -
day training course for the staff: waters, bartenders, doormen and managers.
Information will be given about the Alcohol Act, alcohol and drugs, how to
serve alcohol and how to resolve conflict situations. Co-operation with the
local police becomes more effective when the police take part in the
meetings, training courses and visits pubs and bars when on patrol. It is
important to have contact with the local newspapers. Through the local media
the community and guests can be informed about Responsible Hosts. For the
staff there is a brochure, which is also available in English.
The Responsible Hosts program was initiated by The Directorate for Prevention
of Alcohol and Drug Problems in 1997. Pilot projects have been carried out
with The Hospitality Association, the Restaurant Workers´ Union, the police,
licensed premises and the municipalities of Bergen (2000-2003) and
Kristiansand (1997-98).
By 2007 more than 15 municipalities have carried out the program, amongst them
Bergen, Trondheim, Haugesund, Os, Larvik, Narvik , Herøy, Hareid, Ulstein,
Sande, Trømsø and Hammerfest.
For more information:
Directorate for Health and Social Affairs
Substance Abuse Department
P.O. Box 7000, St. Olavs Plass
N - 0130 OSLO
Norway
e-mail: marianne.virtanen@shdir.no
[Publisert: 21.11.2007]
[Sist endret: 07.01.2008]
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