Health Education Research Advance Access originally published online on August 31, 2004
Health Education Research 2005 20(3):314-322; doi:10.1093/her/cyg118
Health Education Research Vol.20 no.3, © Oxford University Press 2004; All rights reserved
An exploration of street drinking in Drumchapel, Scotland
1 Department of Psychology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 1QE and 2 Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
3 Correspondence to: A. Ross; E-mail: alastair.j.ross{at}strath.ac.uk
This paper describes the results of a survey undertaken to contribute to a health needs assessment of persistent street drinkers in Drumchapel, Greater Glasgow. Street drinkers, members of the public and local service providers [including agency professionals (community workers; health workers; social workers) and others (e.g. shopkeepers)] were interviewed. Street drinkers were generally male, single, unemployed and living in their own (rented) accommodation. Not being homeless, they gave volitional reasons for drinking in the street, centred on social aspects and the cost of drinking in traditional establishments/public houses. Half the group said they did not do all their drinking on the street, suggesting alternatives may be possible. Uptake of food offered to respondents being interviewed was low, and self-reported diet was poor in vitamins and unvaried. Awareness of services was low in the street drinking group, with friends/family remaining the most common source of support. Public concern was mainly with the visibility of the group and the negative impact this was perceived to have on the community; however, service providers focused on health risks associated with street drinking. Consensus on the need for some accommodation/centre for drinkers with access to services was established across all groups.