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Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention in Police Custody Suites: Pilot Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial (AcCePT)

Addison, Michelle, McGovern, Ruth, Angus, Colin, Becker, Frauke, Brennan, Alan, Brown, Heather, Coulton, Simon, Crowe, Lisa, Gilvarry, Eilish, Hickman, Matthew, and others. (2018) Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention in Police Custody Suites: Pilot Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial (AcCePT). Alcohol and Alcoholism, 53 (5). pp. 548-559. ISSN 0735-0414. E-ISSN 1464-3502. (doi:10.1093/alcalc/agy039) (KAR id:67267)

Abstract

Aims: There is a clear association between alcohol use and offending behaviour and significant police time is spent on alcohol-related incidents. This study aimed to test the feasibility of a trial of screening and brief intervention in police custody suites to reduce heavy drinking and reoffending

behaviour.

Short summary: We achieved target recruitment and high brief intervention delivery if this occurred immediately after screening. Low rates of return for counselling and retention at followup were challenges for a definitive trial. Conversely, high consent rates for access to police data suggested at least some outcomes could be measured remotely.

Methods: A three-armed pilot Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial with an embedded qualitative interview-based process evaluation to explore acceptability issues in six police custody suites (north east and south west of the UK). Interventions included: 1. Screening only (Controls), 2. 10 min Brief Advice 3. Brief Advice plus 20 min of brief Counselling.

Results: Of 3330 arrestees approached: 2228 were eligible for screening (67%) and 720 consented (32%); 386 (54%) scored 8+ on AUDIT; and 205 (53%) were enroled (79 controls, 65 brief advice and 61 brief counselling). Follow-up rates at 6 and 12 months were 29% and 26%, respectively. However, routinely collected re-offending data were obtained for 193 (94%) participants. Indices of deprivation data were calculated for 184 (90%) participants; 37.6% of these resided in the 20% most deprived areas of UK. Qualitative data showed that all arrestees reported awareness that participation was voluntary, that the trial was separate from police work, and the majority said trial procedures were acceptable.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1093/alcalc/agy039
Uncontrolled keywords: ethanol; alcohol drinking; counseling; follow-up; police; randomization; alcohol and drug screening; brief intervention
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Simon Coulton
Date Deposited: 11 Jun 2018 14:53 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 18:17 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/67267 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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