Managed Alcohol Programs: Evaluating Effectiveness and Policy Implications

This research project builds on Dr. Pauly’s 2013 CIHR-PHSI award supported by MSFHR to evaluate the outcomes and implementation of Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPS). The objectives of MAPs are to reduce harm by facilitating greater stability in housing, reducing consumption of hazardous non-beverage and reducing social problems associated with heavy drinking episodes.

This research project builds on Dr. Pauly’s 2013 CIHR-PHSI award supported by MSFHR to evaluate the outcomes and implementation of Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPS). The objectives of MAPs are to reduce harm by facilitating greater stability in housing, reducing consumption of hazardous non-beverage and reducing social problems associated with heavy drinking episodes.

This project closely aligns with the BC Ministry of Health’s priority related to primary and community care. MAPs interface with primary care and other community services to reduce use of more expensive emergency and hospital services.

The purpose of this project is to generate new knowledge as to the effectiveness of Managed Alcohol Programs with the following objectives:

1. Examine changes and compare outcomes in general health, alcohol related harms, functioning, quality of life and use of health and social services among MAP participants and non- MAP controls over two years post entry to a MAP, combining data from the first study with 5 new sites in BC, Alberta and Ontario.
2. Investigate whether entry into a MAP contributes significantly to less hazardous patterns of alcohol use.
3. Identify the role of MAPs in relation to costs associated with AUD’s and homelessness, and to develop a robust model for potential cost savings compared to non-MAPs.
4. Inform the development of program and policy recommendations for MAPs that address health inequities and structural vulnerability of Indigenous people.