The prevalence of alcohol use and misuse by members of the Malta Police Force

Abstract

The Maltese society has always been acquiescent with the use of alcohol, and the Maltese police force members, being a representation of the same society are no different. The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of alcohol use and misuse within the ranks of the Malta Police Force. As seen through the literature review the blue wall mentality within the law enforcement community may have discouraged studies. Through the positive experience acquired while conducting this study, one cannot but comment positively on the high rate of response shown to the invitations; to a degree, were one can interpret that such studies are desired. The success of further studies highly depend on the approach taken following this study. Alcohol is a legally available non-prescription substance. The objective of this study was to attempt and measure the prevalence of alcohol use and misuse within the ranks of the Malta police force, and to find evidence in support or otherwise contradict the hypotheses whether in Malta police officers consume alcohol more than the general population. After employing a random sample of 300 officers, who were invited to participate by self compiling the AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) three question questionnaire, a tool, which was developed by the World Health Organisation to assist doctors and health care professionals to measure the level of risk behaviour of alcohol users, 92% of the responding officers reported that they consume alcohol on once a month or less to four to more than four times a week. Only 8% of the responding officers reported that they never drink. When measuring the results for the hypotheses against the NSO life style survey 2007, it can be argued that police officers in Malta when compared against the 2007 statistics for the general population are consuming alcohol by 35.9% above the general population. The study clearly showed that the prevalence of alcohol use and misuse in the ranks of the Maltese police force is at a level that need addressing. A start in the right direction would be an aggressive educational campaign, supported by a health promotion campaign with specific attention to stress management, supported by an inter department alcohol use policy.