Drinkaware Response To Plans By The Government To Crack Down On Binge Drinking Hotspots, UK

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 30 Jul 2010 - 0:00 PDT

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Responding to the plan by the Government to crack down on binge drinking hotspots and give communities more influence over licensing applications, Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware, says:

"Alcohol misuse costs society £25 billion a year* and it is imperative our culture's binge drinking problem is tackled head on. Drink related anti-social behavior causes misery for communities across the country, and the Government is right to take action. We hope this is the first step in a plan that goes right to the heart of the issue - changing attitudes and making it socially unacceptable to drink to excess.

"Just over two thirds of people are concerned for their safety when they are around drunken people but the effects of binge drinking on society extend beyond anti-social behaviour. People who regularly drink over the daily unit guidelines** put their health at risk and put pressure on the NHS.

"It's therefore important people know about the effects of drinking to excess, and providing people with practical tips on cutting down is a key part of any strategy to address this issue.

"Drinkaware will be launching the second year of the 'Why Let Good Times Go Bad?' campaign to challenge the acceptability of drunkenness among young adults this September. The £100 million campaign over five years is run in partnership with the drinks industry and with the support of the Home Office."

Notes

*National Audit Office (2008) 'Reducing Alcohol Harm: health services in England for alcohol misuse'

**Drinkaware advises men to stay within the recommended guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol per day (equivalent of a pint and a half of lager) and women to stay within 2-3 units per day (equivalent of a 175ml glass of wine).

Source:
Drinkaware

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