Nightlife prevention in the city of Zurich

Contact name: 
Christian Kobel
Position: 
Head of Youth Counselling Streetwork
Organization: 
City of Zurich Social Department, Youth counselling Streetwork
Telephone: 
+41 43 300 54 73
Address: 
City of Zurich Social Department, Youth counselling Streetwork, Wasserwerkstr. 17, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland
Fax: 
+41 43 300 54 71
E-Mail: 
christian.kobel@zuerich.ch
info@saferparty.ch
Web: 
http://www.saferparty.ch

Abstract

Background

Nightlife prevention in the city of Zurich is part of the Social Department - Youth Counselling Streetwork. The project is operated by a team of social workers.

Objectives

The objective is to promote a healthier nightlife. For instance, through increasing awareness of legal and illegal drug consumption, and related sexual and other nightlife risks. In collaboration with nightlife stakeholders, a further topic is to promote a safer nightlife environment.

Characteristics

The intervention is based on drug-checking with counselling (on site and local), an alcohol intervention on site and in public spaces, and collaboration with the different stakeholders. All interventions are accompanied by a website: www.saferparty.ch

Evaluation

The evaluation is based on project statistics and questionnaires during the interventions. It is an internal evaluation.

Conclusion

Drug-checking, in combination with a counselling session, is an effective method of reaching the target group of party drug consumers. Drug-checking gives credibility to prevention messages. If drug-checking is linked with therapeutic services it can be helpful to triage people to this service. If drug-checking results are shared with club, security industry, hospitals and first aid services it can inform public health.

Intervention details

Type of intervention
Harm reduction
Problem addressed
Illegal drugs, Alcohol, (Mental) health problems, Poly drug use, Binge drinking, Drink spiking, Overcrowding, Dehydration / overheating, Overdosing, Unwanted sexual behaviour, Impaired driving
Intervention setting
Street
School
Secondary School
TV
Radio
Event
Higher education or university
Bar
Club/ disco/ afters
Internet
Printed media
Mass Media
Target population

Partydrugs consumers, and other interested people.

Substances adressed
All substances
Strategic target group (social agents acting as intermediaries between intervention and target group)

Partydrugs consumers, and other interested people.

Intervention activities
Providing information
Use of Internet and other new technologies
Informative talk or lecture
Pill-testing
Nightlife management
Actions
Actions include:Drug-checking: On site, 10 times per year; Local drug checking every Tuesday anf Friday; Drug-checking is accompanied with a questionnaire;Alcohol intervention on site and in public spaces;Round Table (3-4 times per year) for discussing nightlife topics. This occurs with the Police, Club Owners, Aid Services and Prevention Institutions;Training sessions with: Aid services, Club and bar staff, Police, Bouncer/Security, Schools;Internet counselling facility: www.saferparty.ch;Collaboration with medical and therapeutical institution at the DIZ.
Theory/evidence behind the intervention

Theory of harm reduction and early warning.

Number of people needed
Two
Specific training required?
Yes - Social Worker with a nightlife background
Time required to run
For all interventions we need about two full time jobs. A full time job means 42 hours per week. There are about 84 hours per week that we need for nightlife interventions.
Other resource requirements

Two different equipment labs for the drug analyses.

Evaluation details

Activities evaluated

On site drug checking.

Type of evaluator (e.g. external consultant, internal evaluator)
Both internal and external
Evaluation results (Other)

Drug-checking in combination with a counselling session is an effective method of reaching the target group of party drug consumers. Drug-checking gives credibility to prevention messages. If drug-checking links with therapeutic services it can be helpful to triage people to this service. If drug-checking results are shared with clubs, security industry, hospitals and first aid services it can be useful to public health.

Evaluation references

http://www.infodrog.ch/

http://www.akzept.org/kongress/pdf09/buecheli_schweiz.pdf

Last updated: April 2016