Evaluation of the implementation of the Alcochoix+ program

Alcochoix+ is a program for managing alcohol consumption that is mainly intended for consumers at risk of developing a dependency. The health risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption support the need to put in place secondary prevention programs for alcoholism. The program Alcochoix+ has been designed for this purpose and is adapted to the needs of Quebec's population. In its action plan for 2005, the Ministere de la Sante et des Services sociaux (MSSS) planned to implement this program in all of Quebec's health and social services centers by 2012. Using a quantitative and a qualitative approach, this study was designed to identify factors that are facilitators or obstacles to the implementation of Alcochoix+ as well as examining the program integrity elements. The main players from the eight administrative regions of Quebec involved in this program participated in the research (N = 54). In addition, the characteristics of 349 users in the program were studied. In terms of the integrity of the implementation, in most cases it appeared that the targeted clientele were reached and that the educators had received training allowing them to apply Alcochoix+ and to comply with the main elements of the program. In regard to organizational aspects, in most cases, cooperation between the various levels of services appeared to be positive. A model stipulating the interrelations of causal relationships between the various obstacles has been derived from the participants' responses. The obstacles to implementation were mostly initiated by the reorganization of health and social services, staff turnover at all levels as well as the lack of financial resources. Adapted from the source document.