Responsible Beverage Service – a method to prevent alcohol inflicted violence

Responsible Beverage Service is an evidence-based and cost-effective method for Swedish municipalities wanting to decrease alcohol-related problems by targeting licensed premises. The method aims to prevent the serving of alcohol to under-aged (i.e under 18) and to intoxicated guests, thereby reducing violence and damage.

The method was originally developed as a part of the STAD project (Stockholm Prevents Alcohol and Drugs), during the years 1995-2004. Due to its success in Stockholm the government in 2004 commissioned the Swedish National Institute of Public Health to disseminate the method throughout the country. Since 2006 each of the 21 county administrative boards in Sweden has a Responsible Beverage Service administrator to disseminate the method within the county's municipalities.

The method package contains a number of components, all essential for success: establishment of formal cooperation between community alcohol supervision workers, bar owners, police and other actors and stakeholders; mapping of the local situation; education of restaurant personnel; improved supervision and enforcement; evaluation and incorporation of the method into the municipality's regular activities.

The effects of the implementation of the method as well as the extent to which its use has spread are currently under evaluation. The results of this evaluation are due to be published in 2010. The assessment is expected to be presented in 2010.
In local and regional evaluations of the method the police, the restaurant personnel as well as the community alcohol supervision workers report that they experience immediate benefits, particularly from the cooperation between different agencies.