A day at the races: youth alcohol use before and during a large public event

Abstract

Introduction

The phenomenon of youth preloading with alcohol is related to increased rates of assault, injury and arrest. We have no empirical, field-based, research on the impact of preloading and alcohol use at a large-scale public event.

Method

Random samples of patrons were breathalysed (BrAC) on entry and exit of a horse racing/music event (n = 286), and questioned regarding their preloading, spending, and group characteristics.

Results

79% of participants sampled at entry and 85% at exit reported preloading prior to the event. Of those who preloaded, 87% were observed to have BrAC readings over zero (with a mean BrAC of .071 at a median time of day of 12.29 pm). No differences were found between genders on preloading or BrAC at entry. Group size was found to explain 9% of the unique variance in entry BrAC. Those patrons who preloaded had significantly higher BrAC at exit, with preloading accounting for almost identical variance to the number of reported drinks consumed within the venue.

Implications

Preloading at large-scale public events is highly endorsed by both male and female youth and is associated with a pattern of continued drinking throughout the course of the event. Interventions to manage risk are suggested.

Keywords:

• Alcohol use
• gender differences
• public event
• preloading
• group size
• legislation

Acknowledgments

In particular, we have not received any funding during this research from local or state governments, political organisations, lobby groups, temperance societies and health based registered charities, or companies involved in the supply or sale of alcohol. $39,800 National Drug Strategy Law Enforcement Funding Committee (Last Drinks Project). Alcolizer Technology provided consumables for testing and calibrated the breathalysers.

Ethical approval

Approved by Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee 2015/704.

Author contributions

Devilly obtained funding, managed the larger research programme, designed the research, collected data, analysed the data and contributed to writing the manuscript. Walters refined the design and procedure, collected the data and analysed the data and writing the manuscript. Allen also obtained funding, managed the larger research programme, designed the research, collected data, and contributed to revisions of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). The lead author affirms that this manuscript is an honest, accurate, and transparent account of the study being reported; that no important aspects of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the study as planned have been explained.

Data availability statement

All data will be made available to other researchers.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Drug Strategy Law Enforcement Funding Committee (Last Drinks).