Resources | Community News

Keep up to speed with alcohol-related initiatives in the communities and regions of our country. Also find out about resources which are being trialed, and how you can contribute to their development.

Look here for Requests For Proposals (RFPs) and tender documents.

If you require information about conferences and seminars see Events.

If you have any news you'd like to post on the noticeboard just e-mail Central@alac.org.nz or contact one of our offices.

Research into the impacts of liquor outlets in Manukau

REQUEST FOR A PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH INTO THE IMPACTS OF LIQUOR OUTLETS IN MANUKAU CITY COUNCIL.

The Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) was established in 1976 with the aim of encouraging responsible alcohol use and minimising misuse. It has a statutory responsibility to promote moderation in the use of alcohol, to contribute to the reduction and discouragement of the misuse of alcohol, and to minimise the personal, social and economic harm resulting from the misuse of alcohol. ALAC’s overarching goal is:

“A New Zealand drinking culture that supports the moderate use of alcohol so that whänau and communities enjoy life, free from alcohol harms.” http://www.alac.org.nz/

ALAC has embarked on a programme of work that aims to change the current drinking culture and, as part of this programme, ALAC wishes to commission research into the impacts of liquor outlets in Manukau City Council and is soliciting proposals for the first two phases of a three phase research project.

Phase 1: Identify liquor outlet impacts, map liquor outlets in a minimum of three Manukau City Wards and develop a model for measuring the identified impacts.

Phase 2: Research and assess the contribution made by liquor outlets to the impacts identified, and review and refine the model developed in Phase 1.

Phase 3: Identify ways the information discovered in Phases 1 and 2 can be used to inform local areas’ planning processes (including regulatory processes), review the ability of local authorities to easily access and use such information for the ways identified, and develop a path forward.

This RFP is for Phases 1 and 2 only, not for Phase 3. The expected time period for Phases 1 and 2 is 18 months and the maximum budget is $95,000.

ALAC invites research agencies and researchers to submit proposals outlining a robust research process which provides this information, and gives details of skills and experience relevant to their ability to undertake the proposed research.

Proposals also need to demonstrate particular consideration of approaches appropriate for ALAC’s three priority populations: Maori, Pacific and young people.

The RFP is available from GETS or please contact Margaret Chartres M.Chartres@alac.org.nz

Strengthening Community Action on Alcohol Training
Workshops on the implementation of the popular resource "Strengthening Community Action on Alcohol" are being offered by the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC). Designed for communities, the aim of the workshops is to provide those working to reduce alcohol-related harm with the knowledge and skills to deliver evidence-based best practice.

The courses will be most valuable to those people working in roles like health promotion, safer community councils, police, service provision, youth work and road safety co-ordination.

The workshops provide an introduction to alcohol issues, solid grounding in the theory and skills required to deliver competent practice and practical project planning. Specific topics include:

theories of health promotion
models for reducing alcohol-related harm
gathering information
needs analysis
project planning and implementation
project evaluation

Using an interactive method, attendees are required to come prepared to participate actively.

ALAC is facilitating a limited number of these workshops throughout New Zealand. If you think this is something your community may be interested in, please contact Group Manager Communities, Jodie Robertson, for further details.

Youth Participation in Alcohol-Related Initiatives - Training
For those communities wanting to involve young people in alcohol harm reduction initiatives, the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) is offering training.

The workshops aim to produce some guidelines and develop the skills of key people working in the area of alcohol related harm in regard to young people. Training objectives include:

reduce alcohol-related harm experienced by young people in New Zealand by involving them in initiatives affecting them
ensure effective youth participation in areas where young people can carry out valued roles, by ensuring collaboration on relevant projects and processes

The main audiences for the training are people working on alcohol-harm reduction strategies. Key people include health promotion, police, youth workers, road safety co-ordinators, safer community councils. local government employees and community workers.

Workshop topics include:

the importance of involving young people in alcohol-related initiatives
up to date theories behind effective youth participation
examples of effective youth participation
how to involve young people in programmes
project planning and a practical checklist for use when designing initiatives

ALAC is providing a limited number of these workshops around New Zealand. If you think this is a training opportunity useful to your community please contact Group Manager Community Strategies, Jodie Robertson.