toronto safernightlife.info survey
DESCRIPTION
Toronto Safer Nightlife Forum 2011: How can you contribute to a safe, vibrant nightlife? Tuesday November 8, 20112:30pm – 6:00pmHyatt Regency Hotel - Regency Ballroom B370 King Street WestJoin us for a conversation with youth and bar/club operators about safety issues in Toronto's nightlife scene. Topics include pre-drinking, illicit drugs, sexual aggression and strategies for reducing harm. Come out and share your views and ideas for creating safer bars and clubs.Jerry Levitan (lawyer, musician and Academy Award nominee) will moderate the forum. Speakers include Yamina-Sara Chekroun (youth outreach worker/event promoter), Nav Sangha (venue owner/DJ), Mike Homewood (Homewood Security) and Samantha Wells (Centre for Addiction & Mental Health). Featuring DJ VRAK, with light refreshments provided.For more information go to www.safernightlife.info This event is brought to you by the Toronto Safer Nightlife Committee comprised of youth, TRIP!, Toronto Public Health, the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario, the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, Asian Community AIDS Services, the Entertainment District Business Improvement Area, the Parkdale Village Business Improvement Area, the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, Social Development, Finance & Administration and Municipal Licensing & Standards.TRANSCRIPT
Toronto SaferNightlife.info Survey
Lisa Campbell SalazarTRIP! Coordinator
Design by Carver Manuel-SmithToronto Safer Nightlife
ForumNovember 8, 2011
Tweet with Us!
#SaferNightlife
Purpose of the Survey
To explore potentially risky behaviours of youth aged 19-29 in nightlife scene.To explore youth perceptions of practices in bars/clubs that may create risk/harm.To explore youth perceptions of practices in bars/clubs that may reduce risk/harm.
How the Survey Was Conducted
Led by TRIP! to inform work of Toronto Safer Nightlife Committee.
Survey was conducted in Summer 2010
In line and online surveys May be some bias toward TRIP! clients Cross-tabs: age, gender, frequency of
pre-drinking and area of residency
Who Participated?
334 people participated
71% were in target population = 19-29 year olds
53% female, 43% male, 1% transgendered, and 3% “other”
Majority (75%) from Toronto
Total Distribution in the GTA:
Distribution in Toronto
Pre-drinking
90% of respondents pre-drink
Frequency of pre-drinking – about 33% each “sometimes, often, always”
Pre-drinking decreased with age
Typical number of pre-drinks = 3 to 5
16% had 5 to 10 drinks before going out
No gender differences across questions
Reasons for Pre-Drinking
90% to save money 78% to socialize with
friends Consistent with literature Other reasons included: Lower inhibitions Reduce social anxiety Play drinking games Get drunk
Determining drinking limit
62% - when felt “drunk enough”36% - when ran out of money34% - when felt ill32% - at last callKey goal is to get drunk Older respondents less likely to drink to point of sickness
Illicit drug use
Majority (80%) use illicit drugs while in bars and clubsMore young men (88%) than women (74%) report use More common among youth 19-29Of concern, 76% of youth under 18 use illicit drugs in bars and clubs
Illicit Drug Use
Top drugs used : Amphetamine-type
substances (i.e. MDMA/ecstasy)
Hallucinogens (i.e. Ketamine)Cannabis
81% reported both pre-drinking and illicit drug use in bars/clubs
Mindful of local residents
58% tried to be mindful27% said it depended how drunk they wereSome said depended on area – didn’t see ED as residential areaNo differences between youth living in Toronto vs. youth from outside city
Health and Safety Issues
Harms related to substance use:
Illness (vomiting, blacking or passing out)
Losing personal belongings
Injury
Harms most often reported by frequent pre-drinkers
Youth under 18 and over 30 had lowest incidence of OD/alcohol poisoning
Health and Safety Harms
75% were approached to buy drugs in bars/clubs
Sexual and physical assaults – by patrons and bar/security staff.
Sexual assault reported most often by women (19-29).
Respondents over age 30 less likely to report assault or drug-related issues.
Harm reduction /safety strategies
Majority took some action to reduce harm; most frequent strategies:
Buddy system (70%)Eating/sleeping well before going out (69%)Drinking water throughout evening (68%)Limiting use of alcohol/other drugs (50%)Not mixing alcohol/other drugs (40%)
More women than men used HR strategies
Harm reduction/safety strategies
Safe transportation options:Public transit (80%)Walk (68%)Taxi (52%)Shared ride (47%)
We don’t know if driver had been drinking in “shared ride” example.
Potentially Harmful Bar Practices/Conditions
Key issues raised by youth:No access to free drinking waterBeing treated badly after becoming ill due to substance use
Other issues:Forced to check coat (68%)Being kicked out in winter without coat (21%)Being separated from friends who had been kicked out
Potentially harmful bar practices/conditions
Key issues related to the physical bar environment:
Lack of air conditioning/poor ventilation (86%)Overcrowding (86%)“Unsafe” venues (52%)
Positive Bar Practices
Can refill water bottle (72%)
Access to free, cold drinking water (72%)
Can take drink everywhere, including bathroom (50%)
Access to safer sex/drug use info (64%)
Access to chill out room (57%)
Access to medic room (46%)
Worst Experiences in Bars/Clubs
Mistreatment by security staff:Physical and sexual assaultDrug dealingDrug exploitation
Physical and sexual assault by other patrons
Lack of access to free drinking water
Best Experiences in Bars/Clubs
Cab stands & designated driver programsHealth and harm reduction supportsBenefits of good (nice) security
“To tell you the truth, raves always have the best safety set-ups in the city because they take the preventative measures necessary to keep kids safe. Clubs never ASSUME drug use, and as a result, they have a less informed, safety-conscious set of patrons.”
Suggestions for Action
Some youth did make suggestions for action, including:
More chill out and medic rooms Support from bar staff during illness or overdoseMore harm reduction information and services available
Keep the Conversation Going
Follow Us:
@SaferNightlife
@tripproject
Facebook.com/TRIPProject
TRIP! Project
www.safernightlife.info