A range of sources of data were accessed to create time series data related to each of the broad areas of concern that along with other forms of research underpinning the thesis – A study of the problematic use of alcohol: Managing public drunkenness in Western Australia 1900 – 2010.
The time series data was available in a range of formats from a substantial number of official reports and other publicly accessible sources. Given the extended time frame which covered many of those sources, many were in hard copy formats in official departmental archives, from where they required to be retrieved and viewed under controlled conditions.
This time series data was extracted, collated and analysed into standard annual counts on the basis of defined measures and compiled in both summarised and disaggregated forms in tables. A compendium of these tables of annual counts of specific measures were grouped as sub-sections , sub-totalled and aggregated into appendices, as described in more detail in each of the appendices.
There was a wide variation in some data in terms of coverage and level of detail of measures, further described elsewhere. The structure of the data was also affected by limitations and changes in level of detail and coverage in published reports over extended periods of times.
This means the form and variability of data was determined depending on a range of factors, such as availability, changes in departmental and administrative structures, operation of reporting agencies, procedures and government policies limiting access to data, etc.
In summary, data was compiled from a range of key sources (further described in specific tables) consisting of data published in departmental annual reports, statistical series of reports and in research reports.
Furthermore, in relation to offence data, reporting measures were based on the existence of a particular offence, which meant the meaning of an offence was always contingent on the existence of a specific provision of legislation, which in could be amended or repealed at different points in time. The areas covered for each appendix were as follows –
Appendix 1: Police and courts data
- Public drunkenness and drunk and disorderly
- Habitual drunkenness
- Public order (eg street drinking)
- Alcohol attributable offending
- Research data
Appendix 2: Corrections data
- Public drunkenness
- Public order
- Alcohol-related traffic offences
- Inebriates
- Research data
Appendix 3: Alcohol consumption data
- Beer consumption
- Wine consumption
- Spirits consumption
- Office Racing Gaming and Liquor data
- Research data
Appendix 4: Liquor licensing data
- Licensing Act 1911
- Licensing Act 1970
- Liquor Control Act 1988
- Types of licenses
Appendix 5: Liquor licensing data
- Prohibition orders
- Inebriate orders
- Infringements
- Indigenous specific offences (eg supply and receiving alcohol)
- Drinking in public places
Appendix 6: Local and prohibition polls data
- 1911 Local option poll
- 1921 Local option poll
- 1925 Prohibition poll
- 1950 Prohibition poll
Appendix 7: Morbidity and mortality data
- Alcohol-related mental disorders
Appendix 8: Treatment programs
- Alcohol and Drug Authority programs
- Non-government organisations
- Sobering up centres
- Inebriates
- Costs of treatment
Appendix 9: Hansard keyword searches
Search terms
Individual: Alcohol; Alcoholics; Alcoholism; Drunk; Drunkard; Drunkards; Drunkenness; Binge drinking; Temperance; Intemperance; Inebriate; Inebriates;
Industry: Alcohol; Grog; Beer; Wine, liquor; Brewery; Breweries; Wineries; Vineyard; Hotel; Hotels; Drink trade; Local option vote; Prohibition poll; State hotels;
Appendix 10: Drinking driving offences
- Drink driving
- RBT
- Research data