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.