I’m hugely indebted to Paul Roderick, Professor of Public Health (Southampton University) for his interest in our work and ongoing discussions about effective education evaluation & research in this area. Nick Sheron, Head of clinical Heptalogy (Southampton University) has also been an inspiring source of information and guidance in this area.
1. The cost of alcohol to the tax payer.
This report was produces by the Institute of Alcohol Studies, Cambridge and details (£’s)where the costs of alcohol are being bourne by the UK takpayer. The criminal Justice System, The Health Service and the Workplace.
http://solomontheatre.co.uk/solomon/economic_costs_benefits.pdf
This excel spreadsheet takes the findings of the above report and enables the reader to enter the population count for a county, district or unitary area in to CELL C7 and a description of the area in CELL C3. It then calculates the cost of alcohol for the Police, PCT and Workplace in a given area. (The example given is for Dorset). Bear in mind these are 2002 prices and inflation is not accounted for.
http://www.solomontheatre.co.uk/solomon/Cost of alcohol calculator Dorset.xls
2. The benefits (improved knowledge, attitude and behaviour) of educating students on alcohol.
I have a report from SHAHRP (Perth, Australia) detailing the effects of alcohol education on students. With 7 target schools and 7 placebo schools they show clear improvements in knowledge, self reported attitudes and behaviour (marked reduction in consumption and risky consumption).
http://ndri.curtin.edu.au/research/shahrp/evidence.cfm
http://ndri.curtin.edu.au/research/shahrp/index.cfm
3. The research on using TiE (Theatre in Education) for effective alcohol education.
This report from the Alcohol Education and Research Council (Susie Sykes, UK, circa 2003) details what makes for effective TiE education on alcohol. is the blueprint for how we aim to operate Solomon Theatre Company.
