Alcohol Policy UK

NHS statitics on alcohol report prompts further calls for action

The NHS this week released the report Statistics on alcohol: England 2008, compiled from a range of previously published alcohol related information and data. Whilst the report may not contain new data, it has re-emphasised the growing cost of alcohol misuse and prompted a range of news and media reports.

A Guardian article quoted a number of leading figures speaking in response, including the Public Health minister, Dawn Primarolo, who referred to the new £6 million campaign launched this week to raise alcohol unit awareness. Spokespersons for the British Liver Trust and drugs charity Turning Point raised concerns over the growing level of harm from alcohol and long waits some face to receive treatment. Professor Ian Gilmore of the Royal College of Physicians continued to call for  further controls on the extent of cheap and readily available alcohol. A report from the Department of Health is expected in July that will inform the government on the impact of price and harm to society, following earlier reports that such moves would be considered if supermarkets and retailers continued to act irresponsibly.

An article in the Times highlighted the growing concern over alcohol misuse by young people, citing the Office for National Statistics data that showed more 13 year olds had drank alcohol than not, whilst also drawing attention to a Home Office audit that had found extensive abuse of voluntary codes of practise by retailers.

Scepticism over alcohol awareness messages as national campaign launches

A number of reports and medical professionals have recently raised further questions over the effectiveness of campaigns warning against the risks of excessive drinking. A recent BBC story announced that campaigns have 'the wrong focus' as they do not recognise the harm being caused from older drinkers at home as they highlight only the risks of young binge drinkers.

A Guardian article also warned that binge drink scare tactics 'do not work', citing research from the University of Bath. Dr Andrew Bengry-Howell  has called for the government to take a more realistic approach to communicating messages around alcohol:

'A more sensible approach would be to say to people, "We know you are going to drink to get drunk, so make sure you do not do it very often",' said Bengry-Howell. 'Or helping them to plan a night out so that it is safer, or suggesting they drink soft drinks in between alcoholic ones. Not just lecturing them about the number of units, because the guidelines are so low.'

Today the launch of the government's national alcohol harm reduction campaign which continues the previous Know Your Limits campaigns, with a shift in focus to people drinking at home.  TV ads will start tonight; see one of them at the Guardian, here.

BBC Radio 4's alcohol series 2008

BBC Radio 4's PM programme has released Alcohol series 2008 with a number of short broadcasts examining stories investigating the impact of alcohol misuse. The series so far contains 4 reports including:

• Monday's report - speaking to three people who have been affected by the misuse of alcohol
• Tuesday's report - speaking to a former high flying city executive rebuilding her life after alcohol dependency
• Wednesday's report - examines whether more can be done to detect and treat alcohol misuse
• Thursday's report - looks at alcohol misuse in France compared to the UK

Radio 4 have also supported the series with an action line for anyone who would like help or information on alcoholism.

Drinkaware Trust: more changes at the top

The trade press reports that Jean Collingwood, chief executive of the Drinkaware Trust has quit after less than a year.  See off licence news and Morning Advertiser.

Meanwhile, Srabani Sen, ex Alcohol Concern chief executive keeps her place on the board of trustees, as an alcohol harm reduction field representive, despite no longer working in the field.

Jobs: Director of Policy and Communication, Alcohol Concern

Following the appointment of Don Shenker as Chief Executive, Alcohol Concern is looking for a Director of Policy and Communication.

• Salary: £50, 223
• Closing date: May 28th
• Details here

Jobs: Delivery Manager for Alcohol Harm Reduction National Support Team

The Department for Health is seeking a second Delivery Manager to work within the newly established National Support Team (NST) for Alcohol Harm Reduction.

The National Support Team for Alcohol Harm Reduction will work with selected local organisations to develop their capacity to meet the PSA target: to achieve a minimum of 1% reduction in the rate of hospital admissions per 100,000 population for alcohol related harm.

This NST is one of a number of teams working to support local areas and partnerships that are struggling to achieve their targets in relation to Choosing Health priorities such as Sexual Health, Tobacco Control and Teenage Pregnancy. This is done through regular structured team visits to local areas to identify barriers to delivery and propose solutions.

Further details:

• Invitation to apply
• Job description and person spec
• NST background

 

Alcohol number 1 threat to employee wellbeing?

A study by Norwich Union Healthcare has found that 77% of employers consider alcohol to be the number one threat to employee wellbeing and that it plays a large role in sickness absence. However only 9% of employees agreed that alcohol was the main threat, although 32% said they had been at work with a hangover and 15% said they had been drunk at work.

This may prompt more organisations including councils to introduce alcohol workplace policies that aim to ensure support and information is available to staff.  The Local Alcohol Strategy Implementation Toolkit encourages local partnerships to increase access to alcohol information at local levels.

Dr Douglas Wright of Norwich Union Healthcare, said

It seems that alcohol and the workplace often do go hand in hand. Sadly, alcohol use is associated with a number of medical conditions which can cause significant morbidity and therefore affect performance and attendance at work, costing UK plc. It's essential that companies have a robust Drug and Alcohol Policy and Procedure to tackle and, where possible, prevent any problems developing. This should include provision for support and, potentially, referral to appropriate facilities.

For an overview see the Institute of Alcohol Studies' factsheet Alcohol in the Workplace

New London Mayor bans alcohol on public transport

Boris Johnson, the new mayor for London has banned alcohol on public transport as his first policy announcement since coming into power. The 'ban' will take effect from June the 1st 2008.  The move has caused a number of concerns about how it will be enforced, particularly as the only punishment will be ejection from the transport. 

The new rules on drinking on London's transport will be made by changing London Transport's conditions of carriage, since bringing in the byelaw necessary for legal action such as on the spot fines is expected to take a year. In an article in the Guardian, the British Transport Police are reported to have backed the move although organisations such as transport unions have opposed the move.

Off license pilot banning sales to under 21's reportedly a success

A scheme in West Lothain, Scotland has reduced violence and vandalism calls by 50%, a BBC article reports. The findings are based on a 6 week period in which alcohol sales to under 21's were banned and anyone under 25 would be asked for identification. However the chief inspector for the area reported that whilst the findings were very positive, they needed further consideration in the context of other changes since the previous year such as the development of neighbourhood policing.

Concerns raised over Alcohol Disorder Zones

The Telegraph reports a parliamentary committee has said Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs) 'will fail' in their aim to curb alcohol related crime and disorder. ADZs were introduced as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006  to help local authorities to combat alcohol related disorder following changes brought about by the Licensing Act 2003.

ADZs are due to be launched this year, but the House of Lords report has accused the scheme of being 'unduly bureacratic' and unclear. No ADZ schemes appear to be have been launched yet although other powers, such as police directions to leave powers, are being used.