This report presents findings of the evaluation Wakefield Youth Alcohol Diversion Pilot Program (also known as the Youth Alcohol Referral network or YARN). This comprised a youth alcohol diversion and community education program which was piloted in regional South Australia between 2006 and 2008 to address the high risk use of alcohol amongst young people in the Wakefield region . The model was developed in partnership between representatives from Wakefield Health (now Country Health SA) and South Australian Police in the Barossa-Yorke Local Service Area and provided for the diversion of adults and juveniles for simple possession of drug offences to assessment and treatment with health service providers.
This evaluation conducted by the Office of Crime statistics and Research found that young people recognized a number of positive impacts generated from the program including increased knowledge about alcohol and its effects on health as well as an impact on alcohol use either in terms of a reduced amount or reduced frequency.
