The UK’s first regional alcohol office was launched in the North East in February to tackle the issues associated with drinking culture.
The region’s NHS primary care trusts (PCTs), local authorities and its three police forces are taking a coordinated approach to alcohol and the problems associated with its misuse.
The aim of the office, known as Balance, is to inspire changes in the way people drink, so that they can still have a good time while reducing consumption.
According to the latest figures, 12 of England’s top 20 biggest binge-drinking communities are in the North East, while alcohol-related hospital admissions are up to 35 per cent higher than the national average.
The drinking culture in the North East is increasingly associated with binge drinking, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime. We have arranged for the Home Office to fund the secondment of a senior police officer to the alcohol office to help address alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour across the region. Crime is increasingly associated with alcohol. Some 46 per cent of violent crime is alcohol-related and in the last nine months of 2008, the region’s police forces dealt with over 4,500 cases of domestic abuse where alcohol was a contributory factor.
Jon Stoddart, Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary, said "If you speak to any police officer across the region they will tell you that alcohol plays a role in the majority of cases that they deal with, it can literally turn ordinary people into criminals.
"One of the office’s early priorities should be irresponsible drinks promotions. Selling alcohol at knock down prices is a recipe for disaster, both from a health and a crime perspective. I am delighted that the North East Alcohol Office has been established, it will enable us to build on the good work already undertaken in the region and facilitate a joined up and integrated approach to tackling the often tragic consequences of excessive alcohol consumption."
Colin Shevills, Director of Balance, said "The office is not here to preach to people about what they drink. It’s about making people aware of the consequences of failing to treat alcohol with respect.
"What people drink is down to the individual, but people need to be aware of the effect it can have on their health, and the impact it can have on people around them. We’re here to inspire people to reduce their consumption so that we have happier, healthy individuals living in safer communities."
The remit of the office is to:
- raise the profile of alcohol-related issues across the region through hard-hitting media campaigns
- work with colleagues to share best practice in prevention and treatment services
- push for responsible practice in the pricing, sale and promotion of alcohol.
One of the first actions of the office will be to run a region-wide Big Drink Debate to let people have a say about alcohol, the role it plays in their lives and how some of the issues associated with it might be addressed
Stephen Singleton, the Regional Director of Public Health said "We already have the best health services in the country but we need to ensure that we also have the most progressive approach to public health.
"Alcohol can play a positive role but with drinks getting stronger and measures getting bigger, we are seeing more and more people get into trouble. And it’s not just about our young people. Many people in middle years are drinking on a nightly basis, relying on alcohol to deal with the stresses of a busy life without realising how much they are consuming."
For further information on the Regional Alcohol Office contact us on 0191 202 2229.
