Alcoholism affects more than three million people in the UK. Research by Alcohol Concern shows that one in thirteen adults is dependant on alcohol.
Call for government to rethink alcohol strategy
6 JULY 2007
The government’s strategy to promote sensible drinking is questioned as funding decreases for the younger age-group in Bournemouth.
In its strategy the government defines the country’s problem drinkers as 18-24 year old binge drinkers, drinkers under the age of 18 and adult drinkers who don’t realise their habits are damaging their health.
However, Bournemouth Drug and Alcohol Action team coordinator, David Hosie said: “the aims of the strategy are positive but the methods won’t make much of a difference.”
He explains that although the government has given funding for adult help groups, it has taken away a lot of the funding for support groups for younger children.
He said: “The only way to decrease the issue of alcohol related issues is to educate young children. Most of them don’t even know the levels of safe drinking. If you inform the children at a younger age they will grow up to be responsible adults and understand the relationship between crime and alcohol.”
Steve Griffith, founder of Team First, Bournemouth said: “Funding has always been a problem. Hopefully the government will start to concentrate on smaller support groups as well.”
According to David Hosie: “ All over the country there is more funding for adults with alcohol problems when statistics show that the problem can begin as early as the age of 12."