Alcohol Policy UK

Scotland's minimum pricing move still battling opposition

The Scottish government last week introduced the Alcohol Bill, proposing a number of measures to tackle alcohol-related harm including a 40 pence per unit minimum price. However opposition parties have spoken out against the bill which could be defeated in Parliament. They have stated that pricing measures do not tackle the underlying reasons why people drink harmfully and questioned whether they comply with EU competition law.

But opposition parties have come under fire by senior police officers and health campaigners for opposing the bill. Alex Salmond, the Scottish National Party (SNP) first minister leading the bill, accused Labour of putting political advantage ahead of saving lives.

The SNP have continued to fight challengers of minimum pricing by highlighting support and trying to debunk the 'myth that minimum pricing punishes the sensible majority'. The Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon stated earlier this month that findings "...shatter the myth that minimum pricing would punish responsible drinkers. The truth is that the great majority of drinks would see no price rise at all." The SNP have also produced an interactive tool to show how a minimum price would affect different drinks.

See here for an interesting piece on Scotland's minimum pricing issues by the BBC Scotland business and economy editor, Douglas Fraser.

Cardiff model of preventing violence wins award

The approach of sharing and using alcohol-related A&E data to inform and develop crime reduction responses has earned Cardiff University the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for excellence. BBC report here.

The model has since been developed across the UK by a number of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerhsips following its success. The project led to the publication in 2007 of 'The Cardiff Model - Effective NHS Contributions to Violence Prevention' report (available here).

The model has also been rolled out across the Government Office South East (GOSE) region as detailed here on the The Hub of Commissioned Alcohol Projects and Policies (HubCAPP) site. HubCAPP are also accepting nominations for the 2010 awards for successful alcohol projects.

Alcohol Academy regional seminar presentations available on key topics

The AERC Alcohol Academy delivered a workshop and seminar event for alcohol leads in the Yorkshire & Humber region on the 11th November, covering a range of topics pertinent to local alcohol strategy.

Presentations on the day included:

1. 'Key issues and developments in local alcohol harm reduction (health)'

James Morris, Programme Lead, AERC Alcohol Academy Download here (pdf)

2. 'Higher risk drinkers social marketing programme'

Nick Tancock, Department of Health Download here (pdf)

3. 'Alcohol policy: orientation and integration in addressing alcohol-related crime and disorder'

Dr Phil Hadfield, Centre for Criminal Justice Studies Download here (pdf) or access the full report here

4. 'Alcohol Arrest Referral and the lessons being learnt from the Leeds programme'

Keith Lawrance, Alcohol and Violent Crime Delivery Manager; Safer Leeds Partnership Download here (pdf)

5. 'Alcohol and Children and Young People: national and local policy implications'

Michela Morleo, Alcohol Research Manager, Liverpool John Moores University  Download here (pdf)

Earlier this year the Academy delivered an event in London covering topics including: alcohol harms and trends, alcohol and older people, partnership delivery and strengthening the research and evidence base. The Academy will be delivering further seminars across the regions for alcohol coordinators and leads as well as delivering training and skills development for practitioners. For further details on the Academy see here or contact [email protected].

Perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour: Findings from the 2008/09 British Crime Survey

Results from the 2008/09 British Crime Survey (BCS) are now available, detailing recent perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour including alcohol-related disorder.

Perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour: Findings from the 2008/09 British Crime Survey can be found here (pdf).

According to the 2008/09 BCS, 26 per cent of people thought that people being drunk or rowdy in public places was a very/fairly big problem in their area. This was stable compared with 2007/08.

Some key alcohol-related findings from the report include:

• In line with previous findings, the most common behaviour, mentioned by three quarters of those perceiving a problem (76%), was that noise from people in the streets when they had been drinking caused a problem.
• The next most common problem was cans and bottles being left on the streets or thrown into gardens (69%). In addition, 55 per cent of people reported fast food wrapping being left on the streets or thrown into gardens as a problem, 37 per cent reported people urinating in public places to be a problem and 34 per cent reported vomit on the pavements to be a problem. In total, 80 per cent of people who perceived a problem with drunk or rowdy behaviour reported one or more of these environmental factors to be a problem.
• Young people drinking in public places was mentioned by 57 per cent of those perceiving a problem, while homeless people and alcoholics drinking in public places was mentioned by 16 per cent.
• Fifty-six per cent of those perceiving a problem said that people being abusive when they had been drinking was a problem, and 49 per cent said that people being intimidating when they had been drinking was a problem. In total, 66 per cent of those perceiving a problem reported people being abusive or intimidating when they had been drinking to be a problem.
• Alcohol-related violence was reported by 43 per cent of people who perceived a problem, with 37 per cent reporting fighting within or between groups to be a problem and 23 per cent reporting violence/people being assaulted by drunks.

Actual crime figures for England and Wales in 2008/09 can be found here.

Calling all alcohol co-ordinators and alcohol leads: Research on partnership working

Rachel Herring writes: A team from Middlesex University are carrying out research on partnerships as a way of delivering local alcohol policy. The study is funded by the Alcohol Education and Research Council (AERC). Given the central role of alcohol co-ordinators/alcohol leads (or equivalent under various titles!) the researchers are keen to learn from their knowledge and experiences and are in the process of conducting a national survey of alcohol co-ordinators/alcohol leads.

You should be shortly receiving a questionnaire via email - but it has been quite a challenge to get contact details for everyone - so if you do not receive one please get in touch with Rachel Herring [email protected] or Mariana Bayley [email protected]. Thank you very much to everyone who helps with this.

Oldham progresses action on irresponsible drinks promotions at supermarkets

Oldham council is now focusing attention on the off-trade in its bold approach to addressing cheap drinks promotions. Following the reported success of measures to prevent bars and clubs from selling alcohol through 'irresponsible' promotions, Oldham's Trading Standards have recently sent 15 supermarkets this written proposal on measures to adopt should they wish to sell alcohol below 50 pence per unit.

The proposal suggests supermarkets wishing to sell discounted alcohol (below 50p per unit) should set up 'designated alcohol sales zones' - discounted alcohol promotions would not be allowed to be displayed elsewhere on the shop floor. The identified zones would also be supervised cordoned-off areas and should include social responsibility messages on display.

Earlier this year Oldham council received significant media attention and a BBC Panorama feature report after using licensing reviews to take action on premises selling alcohol below 75 pence per unit. Oldham council reviewed the licenses of 22 bars and clubs in Oldham town centre where alcohol-related crime and disorder was reported to have increased dramatically. Premises who wished to sell alcohol below 75 pence per unit were required to adopt a number of measures - such as regulated queues and a 2 drink per round limit - or risk losing their license.

It is not yet known how the supermarkets are likely to respond to the proposals. Recently it was confirmed a mandatory code for responsible retailing has become statute, though the conditions are not set and will not prevent heavy discounting by the off-trade. However the Conservative party have pledged to target taxes at 'cheap drinks that fuel anti-social behaviour', after Cameron hit out at the “unbelievably low prices of some alcohol” and "loss-leading" by supermarkets.

Mandatory code goes through but terms not yet set

The much debated mandatory code of practice for alcohol retailers was passed through law this week as the Policing and Crime Act 2009 received Royal Assent. The future of the code had recently looked uncertain against reported industry, economic and political pressures.

But although the code has been legislated, its terms have not been set so are still to be agreed. When out for consultation, the code proposed a range of measures to stop irresponsible alcohol retailing such as 'buy one get one free' deals and requirements for point of sale information.

The Home Office are now reported to be considering the consultation responses and 'strong concerns from the licensed trade who are concerned about responsible premises being caught up with the less responsible ones' before deciding the code's conditions (see Times article here).

In a Home Office press release, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:

"The public are at the heart of everything we do and they are our best weapon in fighting crime. The Policing and Crime Act gives police and local authorities new powers to tackle the issues of most concern to communities, like gang violence, alcohol-related crime and disorder, prostitution and lap-dancing clubs."

Consultation on drug and alcohol guidance for schools

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has opened consultation on new drug and alcohol guidance for schools. The guidance includes extensive information relating to role of schools in providing education on drugs and alcohol; important as the delivery of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) may become compulsory for schools in 2011.

Further details are available from this DCSF press release and here from the consultation page.

Schools Minister Diana Johnson said:

'Drug and alcohol education is vital, and we know that the majority of schools are doing a great job in talking to pupils about the dangers of illegal drugs. This has contributed to the steady decline in young people’s drug use since 2001. I’m pleased this new guidance offers more advice on alcohol, because while the proportion of teenagers who drink regularly is falling, those who do drink are drinking more. Tackling drug and alcohol misuse in schools is therefore crucial.

But education can’t just happen in the classroom, and this new guidance challenges schools to work more closely with parents so children get clear and consistent messages – both at home and at school.'

Consultation on the guidance closes on the 15th February 2010.

Internet based interventions could be effective

A research report 'A randomized controlled trial of an internet-based intervention for alcohol abusers' has been released by the Addiction journal, available here.

The research will be welcomed given the potential population gains should online interventions be recognised as effective as an option. Having found positive outcomes of participants using the www.checkyourdrinking.net (CYD) screening tool, the conclusion states:

"The CYD is one of a growing number of internet-based interventions with research evidence supporting its efficacy to reduce alcohol consumption. As problem drinking is common, research evaluated internet-based interventions made freely available to all those in need could greatly broaden the base of treatment for alcohol problems and may prove to be useful tools for primary care."

The need for further research for internet-based interventions was identified in 2006 by the UK 'Review of the effectiveness of treatment for alcohol problems' (available here) which concluded:

• A computer-based form of behavioural self-control training is effective among alcohol misusers suitable for a moderation goal
  
• An internet-based assessment and brief intervention program has short-term beneficial effects among university students
  
• Further development and evaluation of internet-based programmes for alcohol misusers is needed'

The treatment review also mentioned www.downyourdrink.org.uk as a UK developed resource though highlighted it had not been evaluated. A number of other internet based screening/self-help tools have also since become available including:

• NHS Drinkcheck: www.drinkcheck.nhs.uk
• NHS choices alcohol page and self-assessment tool
• NHS units site
• Drinkaware unit counter and drinks diary

Services that manage the care needs of drunk and incapable people: a review of the literature

The Scottish Government have released a review of the literture on 'Services that Manage the Care Needs of Drunk and Incapable People'. From the summary page:

'The main focus of this report is on "sobering-up services" - services which provide an overnight place of safety for people who are identified as intoxicated (either with alcohol or drugs) in a public place, and who are incapable of looking after themselves because of their intoxication.

The aims of this review were:

• To identify services that exist in other countries (outside of Scotland) to manage the needs of drunk and incapable people and;
• To identify good practice in providing these services.'

The review may be relevant to those commissioning or providing services that respond to street drinkers, homeless or older people with alcohol problems.