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Safe, sensible, social - next steps for the government's National Alcohol Strategy'

HOME OFFICE News Release (100/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 5 June 2007

'Safe, Sensible, Social - next steps for the National Alcohol Strategy' unveiled today by Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker and Public Health Minister Caroline Flint builds on the foundations laid and the lessons learnt since 2004, when the country's first Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy was launched.

Firstly, the new strategy will ensure the laws and licensing powers introduced to tackle alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder, protect young people and tackle irresponsibly managed premises are being used widely and effectively.

Secondly, it will sharpen the focus on the minority of drinkers who cause or experience the most harm to themselves, their communities and their families.

These are:

* 18-24 year old binge drinkers, a minority of whom are responsible for the majority of alcohol-related crime and disorder;

* Young people under 18 who drink alcohol;

* Harmful, adult drinkers who do not necessarily realise their drinking patterns are damaging their physical and mental health and may be causing substantial harm to others.

The strategy reflects Government's commitment to invest in better information and communications and to work together with all those involved in reducing the harm alcohol can cause, including the police, local authorities, prison and probation staff, the NHS, voluntary organisations, the alcohol industry, the business community, media and local communities, to shape an environment which actively promotes sensible drinking.

At its heart is the desire to reduce the health harms, violence and anti-social behaviour associated with alcohol while ensuring that people are able to enjoy alcohol safely and responsibly.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:

"The Government recognises that promoting a sensible drinking culture is a job for the whole of society. Everyone has a personal responsibility to drink in a safe, sensible and social way.

"Most people in this country do drink safely and responsibly but the evidence of the damage that is caused by those who don't is plain to see; alcohol abuse still costs us £20 billion a year in crime and damage to health.

"Since the previous alcohol strategy we have seen significant progress through the 'Know Your Limits' binge drinking publicity campaign, new enforcement powers in the Licensing and Violent Crime Reduction Acts and the establishment of a new independent charity, the 'Drinkaware Trust', to promote sensible drinking. We are looking to build on these successes and for us all to pull together and call time on the way some of us drink."

Key actions in the strategy include;

* Sharpened criminal justice for drunken behaviour;
* A review of NHS alcohol spending;
* More help for people who want to drink less;
* Toughened enforcement of underage sales;
* Trusted guidance for parents and young people;
* Public Information campaigns to promote a new 'sensible drinking' culture;
* Public consultation on alcohol pricing and promotion;
* Compulsory local alcohol strategies.

Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said:

"Many people don't keep an eye on the amount of alcohol they drink and don't realise the damage they could be doing to their health.

"'Safe, Sensible, Social' focuses on how to make it easier to check your alcohol intake and stay within sensible limits. As part of the revised strategy, identifying and providing advice in different healthcare and criminal justice settings to those whose drinking puts them themselves and others at risk will be further developed, as well as reviewing NHS alcohol spending to help us make smarter spending decisions to reduce the number of people with alcohol-related illnesses."

Young People's Minister Parmjit Dhanda said:

"Alcohol misuse puts young people's health and safety at risk. The evidence we've looked at suggests young people are drinking at a younger age and in greater quantities than before. To help young people and their parents make informed decisions about drinking, the Government has signalled its intention in the Alcohol Strategy to provide authoritative, accessible guidance about what is and isn't safe and sensible in light of the latest evidence from the UK and abroad."

"Every Child Matters set out a vision for children and young people. We want all young people to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being. We are committed to making this vision a reality."

Chris Allison, the ACPO lead on Licensing and Deputy Assistant Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police said:

"Over the last few years, the Police Service have been making use of the greater powers available to it to deal with the alcohol fuelled crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour that blight our town and city centres. However, the underlying problem is a culture of excessive drinking, a culture that cannot be changed by enforcement activity alone. ACPO has always advocated a more holistic approach to resolve this problem and welcomes any government activity that is designed to deal with the cultural issues of excessive drinking."

As part of the announcement, Vernon Coaker visited the Turning Point Alcohol, Counselling and Prevention Service (ACAPS) youth project in Brixton to see first hand the educational and advisory support on alcohol use being offered to young people.

Turning Point Chief Executive Lord Victor Adebowale said:

"I welcome the launch of the Government's alcohol strategy at Turning Point's ACAPS service today. Alcohol is a serious social problem which affects the lives of all age groups. The Government is right to prioritise alcohol education to better prevent the devastating effects of alcohol misuse occurring in the first place. Turning Point looks forward to working with the Government on campaigns to promote responsible drinking and to provide support and treatment for those affected by alcohol misuse to make sure this strategy becomes a reality".

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Government's new Alcohol Strategy ' Safe, sensible and social: next steps in the national Alcohol Strategy' will be published launched with a Written Ministerial Statement at 9.30am on Tuesday 5 June - by the Home Office, Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills and Department for Culture Media and Sport.

2. The strategy and Written Ministerial Statement can be found at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk and http://www.dh.gov.uk

3. The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England was published in 2004. There was a commitment to review the strategy in 2007. 'Safe, Sensible, Social - Next Steps for the Alcohol Strategy' incorporates the review of the strategy and sets out next steps.

4. Turning Point is a social enterprise, providing services for people with complex needs, including those affected by drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems and those with a learning disability. They provide over 250 services across England and Wales, and have contact with nearly 140,000 people.

5. Turning Point's Alcohol, Counselling and Prevention Service (ACAPS) Youth project in Brixton offers support to young people aged 10-25 around their use of drugs and alcohol, including one to one key work and therapeutic group work as well as activities around young people's alcohol use. Services include housing, education, training and careers, basic skills and self development.

6. The Government announced its voluntary agreement with the alcohol industry on a labelling scheme for alcoholic drinks on Monday May 28 2007. The availability of unit information underpins many of the health actions within the new strategy.