Warning over binge-drink health dangers

12.01.44pm GMT Thu 6th Mar 2008

Concern over binge drinking has prompted calls by a Richmond Council Scrutiny Task Group for urgent research into the health risks and how they can be combated.

Although the borough has the lowest record for violent crime in London, it has one of the worst for under-18s being admitted to hospital for alcohol-related problems. The Alcohol Task Group, which heard evidence from a range of organisations and individuals at eight meetings since last September, has called, in a report, for action to help raise awareness of and combat the harm caused to health. The Group was set up to consider the options for a borough-wide Alcohol Strategy and their report comes amid widespread concerns nationally about the problems of binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder. The review had a wide remit encompassing issues such as the health education of young people and support for those with long-term alcohol problems.

Chair of the Task Group, Cllr Liz Jaeger, said: "The misuse of alcohol continues to be a problem locally and around the country and the Task Group was an excellent opportunity to look at the issues in-depth and suggest ways of dealing with them. A great deal is already being done in our borough to tackle anti-social behaviour, including the introduction of controlled drinking zones and crackdowns on shopkeepers selling alcohol to underage children. While not wishing in any way to underplay concerns about anti-social behaviour, the situation does appear to be under better control.

"I believe, therefore, that we should use the new requirement for an Alcohol Strategy as an opportunity to focus more on how to combat the health risks including, for example, identifying those who are maybe not aware they are drinking too much and providing advice on how they can cut back. Alcohol misuse can destroy lives and we very much hope that the health and education issues discussed in our report will be addressed in public health programmes, especially given the new emphasis nationally on preventive treatment. Our recommendations have been put forward to help reduce the harm to health, and the risks of anti-social behaviour, associated with excessive alcohol."

Cllr Nicola Urquhart, Chair of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, applauded the Task Group's work. She said: "Their report is excellent and I would like to thank all those who contributed. We hope it will have a significant input into the borough-wide Alcohol Strategy. We cannot expect that all of the recommendations will be acted upon immediately but we know that the Task Group is keen to keep all the ideas alive and my Committee pledges to re-visit the strategy frequently to monitor its success."