28/11/2007 - Report calls for alcohol action : Cumbria County Council

Drinks manufacturers should do more to fund healthy recreational activities for young people in Cumbria according to an influential panel of county councillors.

Cumbria County Council’s Safe and Secure Scrutiny Panel says that across the UK, alcohol is a factor in almost half of all violent assaults.

It wants other organisations to sponsor more underage test purchasing campaigns over and above those funded twice yearly by the Home Office.

The recommendations are made in the Panel’s ‘Alcohol and Anti-Social Behaviour Scrutiny Review’ report which will be presented to the county council’s cabinet on 11 December 2007.

The Panel calls for the report’s findings to be reflected in the next year’s Cumbria Alcohol Strategy, currently being drawn together by the Cumbria Alcohol Strategy Steering Group.

It says a countywide seminar will be arranged in early 2008, to push alcohol related problems higher up the county’s public agenda.

Members of the Panel will also be attending a special alcohol and drug awareness event in Kendal's County Hall today (Wednesday 28 November) from 10:00am with the Cumbria Alcohol & Drug Advisory Service.

The Panel's 'get tough on alcohol' message is reinforced by figures published in the same report showing that nationally, drink is linked to 40 per cent of violent crimes and 39 per cent of fire deaths.

In England and Wales, 70 per cent of all admissions to Accident and Emergency Units between the hours of midnight and 5:00am are also drink-related.

Councillor Ann Glendinning, Chair of the Safe and Secure Communities Scrutiny Panel, said: "This report has been almost one year in the making and during that time, we have taken evidence from some of the county’s leading experts on alcohol related problems.

"Tackling alcohol misuse is a massive challenge that will require the collective efforts of public and private sector organisations in equal measure.

"The rewards for success are nonetheless dazzling. A cultural change in the county’s attitude to alcohol could reap massive improvements for the health and wellbeing of people throughout Cumbria."

Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337

Follow the link below to view a copy of the 'Alcohol and Anti-Social Behaviour Scrutiny Review’ report to be presented to cabinet on 11 December.