Alcohol Policy UK

Grasping the nettle: alcohol and domestic violence factsheet

An updated factsheet Grasping the nettle: alcohol and domestic violence [pdf] has been released by Alcohol Concern. Authored by Dr Sarah Galvani, it provides an updated overview of the research on the association between alcohol and domestic violence and a clear outline of the implications for policy and practice.

See here for information on Alcohol Concern's children, families and domestic abuse Embrace project.

Consultation deadlines approach - NICE treatment guidance closes 19th August

The NICE consultation draft of its clinical practice guidelines on 'Alcohol dependence and harmful alcohol use' close for comments this week on Thursday 19th August 2010.

Self-help leaflet evaluation: East Midlands direct marketing

An evaluation of the self-help leaflet [pdf] direct marketing in the East Midlands found that the approach 'was very effective, and efficient in terms of return on investment'.

See the report Alcohol Self-Help leaflet - Learnings for Commissioners [pdf]

The report made a number of key findings and recommendations including:

• The fact that recipients were required to request the leaflet, and the whole 'self-help' approach, appears very effective in reaching those who have underlying concerns and have recognised a possible need to make changes ('Contemplators').
• The ability to calculate unit intake and relate this to health risks (and financial implications) was very impactful and used by many recipients.
• More detailed local information regarding the further support available could enhance future campaigns.

See here for more on Social Marketing and the East Midlands alcohol programme.

Jobs: Sheffield alcohol policy research posts

The University of Sheffield's school of health and related research (ScHARR) are seeking senior and junior researchers to continue their work on Alcohol Policy Effectiveness. All posts are funded for 3 years, with a start date of 1 Nov 2010 or soon thereafter. Closing date 9 September with interviews in late September/early October.

Manchester local minimum pricing approach recieves PM backing

Local authorities in Manchester considering a local bye-law approach to introducing a minimum alcohol price have received in principle support from the Prime Minister. Although the Coalition do not plan minimum pricing at a national level, David Cameron said 'where there can be local decisions we are very happy for that to happen'.

Cameron also raised caution over a possible breach of competition law, though promised to 'look at the details' as state approval is required for bye-laws. The Prime Minister was in Manchester as part of the PM Direct roadshows. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News Cameron said:

“I think the idea of the councils coming together on this is a good one and we will certainly look at it very sympathetically.”

“It may be that we need to do something to help deliver the localist answer.”

“Where I want to try and help is ending the deep discounting on alcohol. People going and 'pre-loading', having bought from a supermarket where they were attracted by a price designed to bring them into the store.”

See here for a Channel 4 news report feature. Further reports by The Guardian and local media video feature on All Voices.

An association of ten local authorities in Manchester are exploring a minimum price approach for the region. The move is supported by the Our Life health campaign group who are urging support for a 50p per unit minimum.

Other areas have previously explored local 'minimum pricing' approaches including Oldham and Portsmouth. The Scottish Government have been seeking to implement the measure but have faced stiff political opposition.

The Coalition Government is currently carrying out a consultation on its proposals to overhaul the Licensing Act, which includes a 'ban on below cost sales'. The HM Treasury is also conducting a review of alcohol taxation and pricing.

Hampshire IBA - Tier 2 pilots learning

The Hampshire Alcohol Intervention and brief advice (IBA) Commissioning Plan consists of actions to guide the development and delivery of alcohol brief intervention services in Hampshire throughout 2008-2009 and beyond. The plan contained four pilots, which were:

• Alcohol Brief Intervention in primary Care
• Alcohol Arrest Referral Service
• Emergency Department Alcohol Brief Intervention
• Winchester Prison Alcohol Brief Intervention 

Each was the subject of a full evaluation and a number of learning outcomes emerged from this for both the providers and the commissioners.

See here for the final evaluation report [pdf]. Key learning points were:

News and updates August 2010: GPs should warn over lifestyle, pub support scrapped, NTA business plan

An article by Britain's leading GP has sparked debate over the role of personal responsibility and Public Health. Professor Steven Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners wrote the article 'Don't take offence if we lecture you on how to stay alive and healthy', published in Sunday's Observer. Field said GPs have a key role in promoting personal responsibility by highlighting patient's unhealthy behaviours and urging them to change.

'We genuinely want people to be able to live healthy, fulfilling and productive lives. But every day we are confronted with the harm caused by smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity.

'The roles for GPs are increasing. Every consultation is an opportunity to detect early-warning signs that prevent illness and disease. Sensible, timely and appropriate interventions can help make people aware of the potential risks they are taking.

I practise a patient "mantra" of give up smoking, cut down on your drinking, eat more healthily and exercise regularly.'

The article prompted discussion on issue of 'personal responsibility', a public health idea the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley champions over state intervention. In respect of alcohol, Field's stance supports the delivery of IBA by GPs, an effective behaviour change intervention for risky drinkers. The article also caused controversy as Field suggests parents who dangerously expose their children to smoke are committing a form of child abuse, and that using the word 'fat' may be better than than saying 'obese'. Read other reports by the BBC and a comment from the Telegraph.

The Government has ended the £3.3m support package for community pubs and a further £1m grant for the Pub is the Hub scheme as part of its cost-cutting programme, reports the Morning Advertiser:

'The grants will be replaced with a guidance leaflet for the 2,500 communities who face pub closures each year. The cuts come despite David Cameron pledging new resources to help local people take over community assets such as pubs under the Big Society. He said Government officials would be made available to help community groups that want to run pubs and communities would also get help to identify and fund a “community organiser” for such schemes.'

The National Treatment Agency (NTA) for substance misuse has released its 2011 business plan [pdf]. According to the press release, the NTA is 'seeking to refocus the drug treatment system in England on delivering sustained recovery and demonstrating transparent outcomes, while consistently providing more for less'. As of April 2012 the NTA's functions will be transferred into the proposed new Public Health Service, possibly with responsibilities for alcohol treatment.

Alcohol Health Workers - description and review of the AHW posts

A report analysing eight different Alcohol Health Worker (AHW) service models has been made available on the Alcohol Learning Centre. 

Download 'Alcohol Health Workers - description and review of the AHW posts' [pdf[

The report assesses roles, staffing, activity, training, referrals, collaboration, clinical governance, evidence of effectiveness, data gathering and investment. A commentary on page 38 identifies the main issues and learnings, including the two main functions typically carried out: IBA with risky drinkers and clinical work with dependent drinkers.

For more see the Alcohol Health Work page as a High Impact Change (HIC), or HubCAPP for further projects.

Scotland still unresolved on minimum pricing; trade concerns over licensing consultation

This week a Scottish cross-party 'alcohol summit' was held intending to move forward the contentious issue of minimum pricing. The Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said there had been agreement that action on price was an 'essential part' of tackling alcohol misuse, but no agreement was yet made on how to address it. Sturgeon said:

"... following today's meeting we will consider any workable alternatives, and as a result have asked the opposition parties to submit further details on what they have proposed today.

"In an attempt to reach agreement, I indicated that the government would be willing to introduce a 'sunset clause' to the minimum price section of the Alcohol Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament.

BBC Radio 4: 'Britain on the Bottle: Alcohol and the State'

Last chance to catch a 15 minute radio feature on 'the complexity of alcohol as a commodity, and on why legislating about it has been, and remains, remarkably difficult', as aired on BBC radio 4. You can listen to it here until 4pm tommorow, Friday 6th August 2010.

You can read 'The normalisation of binge drinking? An historical and cross cultural investigation with implications for action' as AERC Alcohol Insight number 49 by one of the contributors. Additionally, 'Public health activism: lessons from history?' can be found here.