Establishing a baseline for the community perception target set out within the Alcohol Theme of Glasgow s Single Outcome Agreement

Transcription

1 NORTH EAST GLASGOW Full Locality Report Establishing a baseline for the community perception target set out within the Alcohol Theme of Glasgow s Single Outcome Agreement ADP Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership

2 CHAPTER 1 Background and Methodology 1.1 In 2014, Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) commissioned a repeat of the Ripple Effect research (originally undertaken in 2007) across 12 neighbourhoods in Glasgow City. The aim was to provide a baseline of progress towards achieving a reduction in levels of negative community perception of the impact of alcohol use on communities. Alcohol & Drug Community Engagers (ACEs) were trained and supported to undertake the research alongside the existing Prevention and Education service provider commissioned by NHSGGC and a commissioned research company. 1.2 Across the city, the research comprised a mixed method approach involving a survey of 2,618 community members (conducted face-to-face, online and self-completion) and 290 individuals taking part in qualitative research (either participatory appraisal methods or focus groups). 1.3 This is one of 3 locality reports, which outlines the results in relation to North East where 768 questionnaires were completed and 95 respondents took part in qualitative research. There are 4 neighbourhood reports relating to North East Glasgow, which provide the quantitative survey results for Parkhead/Dalmarnock, Easterhouse, Barmulloch/Balornock, and Springboig/Barlanark. There is also a comprehensive report outlining the background/ introduction, methodology, results and conclusions/recommendations of the research in relation to Glasgow which can be accessed at

3 CHAPTER 2 Demographics 2.1 Demographics of survey respondents The majority of respondents were female (68% versus 32% male) Figure 2.1 displays the age of the respondents. Just under four in ten respondents (39%) were aged between 16 and 38 years old, with 39% being aged 50 years or older. Figure 2.1: Age of respondents Base = % 28% 23% 25% 14% *The sum of responses do not equal 100% due to rounding In terms of working status (see Table 2.1), half the sample were in employment (50%) with a further 7% being in education. Sixteen percent of respondents were retired, 14% were unemployed and 8% were not working due to ill health. Table 2.1: Working status Base = 731 Working Status % of respondents Employed 50% In education 7% Retired 16% Unemployed 14% Not working due to ill health 8% Carer 3% Other 2% Almost all respondents were of white Scottish origin (98%). 2.2 Demographics of qualitative respondents Of the 95 respondents who took part in the qualitative research, 65% were female and 35% were male. Given the nature of the qualitative research using the participatory appraisal methods, it was not possible to gather more demographic information from respondents. The purpose of the qualitative research was partly to engage with more vulnerable and minority groups and thus respondents included young people, BME groups and kinship carers.

4 CHAPTER 3 Is Alcohol a Problem in Your Community? 3.1 Is alcohol a problem in your community? Respondents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed that alcohol is a problem in their community. The results are displayed in Figure 3.1. The results indicate that the significant majority of respondents (78%) agreed that alcohol is a problem, with 48% strongly agreeing and 30% tending to agree. Only 7% disagreed that alcohol is a problem. Figure 3.1: To what extent do you agree/disagree that alcohol is a problem in your community? Base = % 45% 40% 48% 35% 30% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Strongly agree Tend to agree 10% Neither 4% Tend to disagree *The sum of responses do not equal 100% due to rounding 3% Strongly disagree 5% Don t know In the qualitative research, respondents spoke about how alcohol was a multifaceted problem associated with many other social problems experienced in communities. The cultural nature of the problem was also highlighted, with respondents almost describing a situation where it was difficult to avoid the impact of alcohol. Alcohol was described as a form of escapism, and there was a sense among some respondents that it was too much of an established problem to change. It creates chaos, starts at an early age and follows through your life if you live in area like this. The older people do it and the young people see that behaviour and just follow in their footsteps; it s a generational thing. It s been a problem for years and years, it s too late to change it.

5 3.2 Perceived problems caused by alcohol Respondents were asked what problems alcohol creates in communities. Table 3.1 displays the results for South Glasgow, the four neighbourhoods, and Glasgow overall. Table 3.1: Perceived problems in the community caused by alcohol Base: North East = 768; Barmulloch/Balornock = 107; Easterhouse = 237; Parkhead/Dalmarnock = 259; Springboig/Barlanark = 165; Glasgow= 2,618 Problem North East Barmulloch /Balornock Easterhouse Parkhead/ Dalmarnock Springboig/ Barlanark Glasgow Antisocial behaviour 71% 69% 72% 74% 68% 69% Violence 60% 44% 73% 58% 58% 61% Vandalism 51% 38% 61% 51% 47% 48% Litter 49% 47% 51% 51% 45% 45% Gang fighting 46% 32% 53% 49% 39% 42% Increased noise at night Damages reputation of community Negative health effects 45% 33% 49% 48% 41% 43% 45% 40% 46% 44% 47% 40% 45% 38% 49% 43% 46% 41% Drinking Dens 37% 41% 37% 38% 30% 30% Decreased sense of safety Sustains poverty cycle 36% 25% 41% 39% 31% 34% 35% 32% 33% 39% 32% 31% Territorialism 25% 10% 30% 29% 22% 20% Increased gender based violence 25% 19% 28% 28% 22% 21% Agent purchase 24% 8% 32% 27% 19% 22% Increased sexual crimes 21% 11% 24% 24% 18% 17% Don t know 4% 8% 4% 3% 4% 4% * responses add up to more than 100% as multiple responses were allowed The majority of respondents indicated that antisocial behaviour and violence were alcohol related issues in the community (71% and 60%). Gang fighting was also mentioned by 46% of respondents. In the qualitative research, there was a clear perception that alcohol and violence were very closely linked, and could create an uneasy atmosphere, with residents waiting for an incident to occur. Lots of social problems, gang fights, it creates a lot of hatred in the community. It creates a downward spiral. Havoc! Fighting during the day, in the swing park, especially during the summer. It causes unrest in the neighbourhood.

6 3.2.3 Respondents highlighted that alcohol related problems such as antisocial behaviour, violence and vandalism were aggravated by football matches taking place. Match days are much worse. You have an imported people into the area which doubles the problem. I ve seen some as young as 10 drunk and that s partly due to the fact they can get it free when there s a football match on as the supporters leave the bottles lying around half full and the kids drain them Vandalism and litter were further alcohol related problems (51% and 49% respectively) Respondents also indicated that alcohol leads to increased noise at night (45%), damages the reputation of the community (45%), has negative health effects (45%) and results in a decreased sense of safety (36%). In the qualitative research, respondents highlighted how alcohol related problems led them to feel unsafe in their community, particularly in the evening, meaning they were less likely to go out. I would be too frightened to go out at nights. There are so many pubs close by and I hear the shouting and abuse in the streets. You just wouldn t go out at night when I stayed in the high flats. You would see a group of young people and would cross the road and avoid them because you re going to get abuse for no reason at all Agent purchase was mentioned by just under a quarter of respondents (24%) but was commonly raised during the qualitative research. It was described as a huge problem which meant young people were accessing alcohol at too young an age. It was suggested that the police should better monitor premises, and also that licensees had to take more responsibility. We need to stop agent purchase and punish people who buy it for young people; it just makes the problem so much worse. We need stricter licensing. The young people are getting it from somewhere, pressuring the elderly; we need the police to monitor this better. 3.3 Neighbourhood differences in perceived problems caused by alcohol There were some differences between neighbourhoods in relation to perceived problems caused by alcohol. Community perceptions of particular alcohol related problems were significantly less common in Barmulloch/Balornock than in Easterhouse, Parkhead/ Dalmarnock, North East overall and Glasgow overall. These problems are displayed in Table 3.2, i.e. violence, vandalism, gang fighting, increased noise at night, decreased sense of safety, territorialism, agent purchase, and increased sexual crimes (other than in relation to Barmulloch/Balornock compared with Glasgow overall). Significantly less community residents in Barmulloch/Balornock than in Springboig/Barlanark indicated alcohol related problems in relation to violence, territorialism and agent purchase.

7 Base: North East = 768; Barmulloch/Balornock = 107; Easterhouse = 237; Parkhead/Dalmarnock = 259; Springboig/Barlanark = 165; Glasgow= 2,618 Table 3.2: Neighbourhood differences in perceived problems in the community caused by alcohol Problem North East Barmulloch / Balornock Easterhouse Parkhead/ Dalmarnock Springboig/ Barlanark Glasgow Violence 60% 44% 73% 58% 58% 61% Vandalism 51% 38% 61% 51% 47% 48% Gang fighting 46% 32% 53% 49% 39% 42% Increased noise at night Decreased sense of safety 45% 33% 49% 48% 41% 43% 36% 25% 41% 39% 31% 34% Territorialism 25% 10% 30% 29% 22% 20% Agent purchase 24% 8% 32% 27% 19% 22% Increased sexual crimes 21% 11% 24% 24% 18% 17% Increased sexual 21% 11% 24% 24% 18% 17% crimes * responses add up to more than 100% as multiple responses were allowed Significantly more respondents in Easterhouse than in the other three neighbourhoods (Barmulloch/Balornock, Parkhead/Dalmarnock, and Springboig/Barlanark), North East Glasgow and Glasgow overall considered violence and vandalism to be alcohol related problems in their neighbourhood.

8 CHAPTER 4 How does Alcohol in the Community Affect you Personally? 4.1 Respondents were asked what types of issues alcohol use in their community created for them personally (see Table 4.1). This appeared to be a fairly problematic question in the survey, as respondents often perceived the question in relation to their own alcohol use and drinking patterns, which despite further explanation and illustration from the interviewer was often difficult to overcome. It may be that this issue was too sensitive and complex to broach in the survey, and that the discursive nature of the qualitative research was a more appropriate medium to fully investigate this issue. Table 4.1: Perceived problems caused by alcohol in the local community that personally affect the respondent Base = 768 Problem % of respondents Personal safety 35% Appearance of area where you live 33% Quality of life 31% Mental health issues 22% Physical health issues 20% Restricted movement 18% Agent purchase 15% Don t know 6% * responses add up to more than 100% as multiple responses were allowed 4.2 The most commonly mentioned ways in which alcohol affected the respondent personally were in relation to personal safety (35%), quality of life (31%), and mental health (22%). You just don t feel safe some of the time because of people drinking and making a nuisance, it s not fair but it does mean you don t go out or use local shops etc. 4.3 A third of respondents indicated that alcohol affected the appearance of the area in which they lived. The area just looks a mess, uncared for and not looked after and alcohol has a huge part to play in that.

9 CHAPTER 5 Which Community Groups are Affected by Alcohol? 5.1. Respondents were asked which particular community groups were affected by alcohol. The results are displayed in Figure 5.1 Figure 5.1: Community groups perceived to be affected by alcohol Base = 768 Young People 62% Children 44% Older People 46% Families 57% 5.2 Respondents stressed how alcohol affects everyone in the community to some extent. It affects everyone. I ve seen 17 people die in the last 20 years due to alcohol, and you think how many other lives will be affected by that. It s a curse on all types of society. 5.3 The significant majority agreed that young people were affected (62%) followed by families (57%), older people (46%) and children (44%). Concerns were raised for children being raised in communities where alcohol was seen as the norm. Kids see generations of people not working, on benefits buying alcohol and drugs. It has a huge impact on the kids, they don t know any different. 5.4 Some older respondents expressed feelings of intimidation and concern for their safety: It s a different generation of young people now, carrying knives. I don t feel safe in my own community; they make the elderly feel intimidated. 5.5 Families and young people (32% and 28% respectively) were highlighted to be most affected. This finding was echoed in the qualitative research, with young people being singled out as the group most strongly connected to the impacts of alcohol in the community, both as a cause of many issues and as the group most affected by the issues. There were frequent reports of young people being involved in antisocial behaviour in the community, but also a sense of empathy towards young people who faced a lack of opportunity and positive activities to occupy their time. The stigma surrounding young people linked to alcohol and antisocial behaviour was also mentioned. Young people at the weekends, drinking alcohol in the street leads to violence. There s nothing for young people to do here, nothing to hope for, so they just drink Boredom and unemployment exacerbate it. It affects their health; it builds a stigma about young people who get the blame for all the problems in the streets.

10 5.6 Respondents also mentioned that young people are beginning to experiment with alcohol at a much earlier age. Kids are starting earlier and this is more dangerous as they are unaware of the consequences. It starts at 11/12. Young people think they re invincible, they don t care; nothing can touch them. 5.7 The impact of alcohol on family life was also highlighted in relation to poor role models for young people, the link between alcohol and family breakdown, the lack of suitable facilities for children, (i.e. parks and other safe play areas), safety concerns, and a lack of parental responsibility. There s a lack of good parenting and guidance. Alcohol is an inherent problem in families and the lack of good parenting just makes this so much worse. I have three young kids and I can t let them play outside due to all the young people hanging about. I worry about what is going on outside my front gate.

11 CHAPTER 6 Which Community Areas are Affected by Alcohol? 6.1 Respondents were asked to indicate what areas in their community were affected by alcohol from a prescribed list. The results are displayed in Table 6.1. Table 6.1: Community areas perceived to be affected by alcohol Base = 768 Area in community affected by alcohol Parks and waste ground 54% Off licences and surrounding areas 43% Secluded areas 36% Shopping centres 31% Problem not specific to any area 22% Don t know 6% % of respondents * responses add up to more than 100% as multiple responses were allowed 6.2 Parks and waste ground were most commonly said to be affected (54%) followed by off licenses and surrounding areas (43%), and secluded areas (36%). 6.3 Parks and waste ground were also said to be most affected by 27% of respondents. Respondents commonly mentioned people congregating in parks to drink alcohol, partly as it was an easy place to hide. Associated problems were litter in parks and damaged equipment. These issues combined to make parents wary of using their local facilities, with some parents leaving their local community to use parks etc. They congregate in the swing park areas and do their bit of drinking, they re not in sight. The parks around here are such a mess that I go outside the area to use them, in fact I would go out with this area for everything. The place is a total mess, nobody bothers looking after it or putting any resources in it. 6.4 Shopping centres were mentioned by just over three in ten respondents (31%), which again discouraged some community members from using their local facilities. I avoid using these [shops] at night. Lots of young people hanging about hassling you to buy their drink.

12 CHAPTER 7 What Can Be Done? 7.1 An important aim of the research was to gather community suggestions on what actions could be taken to improve alcohol related problems in the community. Sixty four percent of respondents provided an answer to this question. This was an open question where the verbatim answers were coded (see Table 7.1) Table 7.1: What could be done to improve the issues in your community caused by alcohol? Base = 494 Solutions Community resources % of respondents More activities for young people 23% More services 19% More and better employment opportunities 3% Community Safety More community police 31% Education and awareness More education and awareness 21% Licensing issues Stricter licensing 12% Reduce accessibility of alcohol 3% Ban alcohol 3% Agent purchase 2% * responses add up to more than 100% as multiple responses were allowed 7.2 The most common suggestion was for more community police on the beat (31%). In the qualitative research, some respondents suggested that a more visible and higher police presence would deter much of the antisocial behaviour that takes place, particularly during the weekends and evenings. However, other respondents expressed cynicism as to whether more police would make any real difference. More community police. There is not enough on the beat, especially around park areas and areas which are known to be trouble, and especially in late evenings in the summer. I see the police pulling young people up all the time and it doesn t make any difference. The police already work the streets. I see them reprimanding young people and pouring out their alcohol in front of them.

13 7.3 Just under a quarter (23%) of survey respondents indicated a need for more diversionary activities and youth groups/clubs, to both deter or distract young people from drinking alcohol but also to provide positive activities for young people to give them a purpose. Respondents suggested these activities should be free (or subsidised) and accessible, and that consultation with young people should be undertaken to ensure provision meets the needs and preferences of young people. They need to make more of an effort; especially in the summer, to give young people something to do and somewhere to go.alcohol fuels the fire of all the fights and problems. The clubs have to be free or subsidised as people don t have the money, or don t want to pay the money. It has to be easy for young people to go to these clubs. There s only so much you can do for the young ones, and the minute grown-ups decide what they would like and put it on for them in the community, they turn away because it s uncool. So it has to be young person led. 7.4 A further suggestion in the survey was for more education and awareness raising on the impacts of alcohol (21%). In particular, education which challenges the Scottish culture and acceptability of alcohol. Suggestions included early intervention involving children from primary school onwards, and changes and education originating at a family and community level. Alcohol being perceived as the norm was considered to be a serious problem which has to change. A further issue raised was the need to educate the community about the stigma and stereotype of the alcoholic. Take drama into schools early and show them what the Ripple Effect is, how it affects everyone in the community. We need to promote the same messages everywhere, at home and at school and in the community, that you don t need to go down the road of drinking too much, that there is other stuff out there. We need to raise awareness. People have stereotypes of alcoholics and we need to break this down. 7.5 More services including support and rehabilitation services was suggested by 19% of respondents. Increasing community services was suggested as a means of improving community spirit, and encouraging residents to engage with their community and be less isolated. There s no community feel in this area, we need shops and community facilities so people feel part of something. We need people to get more involved, people talk and complain but don t want to get involved. We need more community groups and recovery groups. 7.6 The issue of stricter licensing was raised by 12% of respondents, with a further 3% mentioning restricting the accessibility of alcohol, 3% mentioning agent purchase and 2% suggesting a ban on alcohol. Respondents complained about the accessibility of alcohol which was said to exacerbate the cultural problem of alcohol. Right across the City we have a problem with too much alcohol consumption, regardless of the price, so we need to be tighter about shop licenses; that has to be curtailed. Because we now have supermarkets at the corner of every street. It s far too available, too many off licenses and pubs everywhere; makes it seem too acceptable and normal. They need to restrict that.

14 7.7 3% of survey respondents mentioned more and better employment opportunities in the area as a means of reducing alcohol related problems. Giving people a purpose through meaningful employment or training opportunities was a significant issue raised during the qualitative research. The biggest problem is that there s no work for them; it s causing it all.

15 CHAPTER 8 Conclusions and Recommendations 8.1 Conclusions The purpose of the 2014/2015 Ripple Effect research was to provide a baseline measure of community perceptions surrounding the problem of alcohol in communities. While the quantitative result shows that there has been an improvement since the previous Ripple Effect research, the qualitative research suggests that the impact alcohol has on the community is as great as ever The results appear to suggest that in order to address any alcohol related problems, there is a need to consider much wider social issues impacting on communities, i.e. deprivation, poverty, unemployment, neglect, family breakdown, lack of opportunity, and lack of hope linked to disadvantage. Respondents highlighted how alcohol was a cultural problem which could be used for escapism, with there being a feeling among some that the problem was insurmountable Alcohol was said to lead to a range of problems in the community, namely antisocial behaviour and violence which were exacerbated by football matches taking place. The link between alcohol and violence was said to create an uneasy atmosphere in the community which resulted in restricted movement of some community members and impacted on their personal safety and quality of life. Agent purchase was a further issue which also resulted in intimidation for those pressured to buy alcohol, and meant that young people were accessing alcohol at too early an age Glasgow s harmful relationship with alcohol was further supported by the current research. A significant factor impacting on choices, behaviours and attitudes towards alcohol in the North East South was the fact that alcohol was viewed by some as an accepted part of everyday life, meaning some children were raised within this culture of alcohol acceptance. A common theme in the research was the impact of parenting and role modelling on a child which was very much linked to the cultural nature of the problem There was a very strong connection between young people, alcohol and problems in the community throughout the research. It was suggested that young people turned to alcohol partly due to boredom and lack of purpose and opportunity, and that young people could face a stigma linked to alcohol and their perceived involvement in antisocial behaviour The research revealed a number of community areas prone to the negative impact of alcohol. Parks and waste ground, secluded areas and shopping centres caused concern for community members, meaning that some respondents went out with their community to utilise resources Suggestions on what could improve the issues in the community caused by alcohol included more community police and CCTV, more tailored and attractive diversionary activities for young people to provide them with an alternative, and increasing awareness and education to challenge the Scottish culture of alcohol acceptance.

16 8.2 Recommendations The report generated a range of recommendations relating to the process, key themes, and suggestions to be taken forward for the next Ripple consultation. Key recommendations included the following. It is recommended that: 1. The cultural nature of the problem of alcohol in these communities has to be considered, in order to challenge the long term attitudes and expectations surrounding alcohol consumption and related behaviours; 2. There is greater support and intervention targeting the family, and parents in particular, in order to improve the outcomes for young people; 3. Resources are targeted towards further prevention and education interventions for young people, to delay the onset of alcohol intake, and focus on resilience approaches to risk taking behaviours so young people have the ability to resist peer pressure; 4. There are more tailored diversionary activities for young people, which they are consulted on, to provide an alternative to alcohol consumption; 5. Resources are targeted towards providing opportunities for young people in the form of volunteering, training or employment; 6. The range of factors impacting on the quality of life of community respondents are considered when developing interventions and approaches; 7. Given that the community identified agent purchase as a significant issue, interventions tackling agent purchase are undertaken, e.g. Community Alcohol Campaigns; 8. Interventions to curb antisocial behaviour, vandalism and other problems associated with alcohol are directed to areas including parks and waste ground, secluded areas and shopping centres; 9. Community members should be supported to be more involved and less isolated by having more community events in community venues, and by providing wider opportunities for people to be involved in shaping the future of their community; 10. There is increased promotion and awareness raising of community facilities and youth provision that do exist in communities, and that this is included as part of the dissemination process; 11. Community members, particularly young people, are consulted about improvements and details of service and youth provision; 12. Actions are taken to change the stereotypical view of an individual experiencing alcohol addiction and to raise awareness of the addiction; 13. The results of the Ripple Effect research are shared widely with stakeholders who have an interest and investment in improving Glasgow communities and making them Thriving Places as the scale and complexity of the problem necessitates a multi-agency approach; and 14. Given the scope of the research and the number of factors which have arisen as key themes, it is recommended that where possible the Ripple Effect links in with other related pieces of work such as Community Alcohol Campaigns. Prepared by Dr Judith Harkins Dudleston Harkins Social Research Ltd judith@dudleston-harkins-socialresearch.co.uk