ALCOHOL-RELATED violence and hospitalisations have risen significantly because successive NSW governments have failed to implement evidence-based policies, researchers claim.
The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) has on Thursday released a report examining the effect policies from a 2003 government summit have had on alcohol-related incidents across NSW over the past decade.
Since then, there has been a 37 per cent increase in hospitalisations attributable to alcohol, a 16 per cent increase in alcohol-related assaults and a 37 per cent spike in domestic violence linked to alcohol, the report says.
"What's happened since 2003 is we have made alcohol cheaper, more affordable and more available and we've seen a resulting increase in alcohol-related harms," FARE chief Michael Thorn told AAP.
More licensed premises trading for longer hours have contributed to the problems, he added.
There were also some improvements highlighted by the report.
Road accidents where alcohol was a factor dropped by 34 per cent and deaths involving alcohol fell 8 per cent.
But Mr Thorn is not happy with the figures and believes much more can be done.
"If they look at the evidence and act on those policies where the evidence is at its strongest, then they will have an impact on reducing alcohol-related harm," he said.
Public education programs, CCTV and tweaks to responsible service guidelines don't work, Mr Thorn said.
"There's no research evidence that (they) make any difference at all in changing behaviours, reducing harm, reducing alcohol consumption."
The most effective way to reduce alcohol-related problems is to limit supply and access.
This can be achieved by imposing closing times on licensed venues and raising the cost of drinks, Mr Thorn said.
Ahead of another alcohol summit on Thursday, Mr Thorn has called on the government to implement a 12-month statewide trial of a 3am lockout.
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