Assessing the implementation of place of last drink (POLD): a strategy to reduce overservice of alcohol

Abstract

Background

Place of Last Drink (POLD) is a strategy used by some law enforcement agencies to identify bars and restaurants that overserve patrons. When responding to an alcohol-related incident, ideally officers systematically record the last drinking location of the individuals involved and follow up with locations that are frequently named as a source of last drink. The likely success of this strategy, as with many strategies, is dependent on how fully it is implemented. We assessed implementation of a POLD initiative in Minnesota (USA).

Methods

We surveyed 26 law enforcement agencies about their POLD implementation. We created and assessed four components: Start-up, Data Collection, Stakeholder Awareness, and Follow-up. Five researchers independently rated each agency on each component, resolving discrepancies through consensus. We combined component ratings to create an overall high, medium or low implementation rating,

Results

We found considerable variation in ratings for each component and in overall levels of POLD implementation across the 26 agencies. Nine agencies were rated as having overall high implementation, five as medium, and 12 as low.

Conclusion

Considering implementation levels allows a more granular assessment of the components necessary for optimal implementation of POLD and other programs, and how they may affect outcomes.

Keywords:

• Alcohol
• enforcement
• overservice
• place of last drink
• implementation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $588,123.00 with 100% funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHD, or the U.S. Government.