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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."
Binge drinking a result of affordable alcohol
29 June 2007
Concerns rise as official figures reveal it is mostly the younger people who are most at risk of binge-drinking.
The number of alcohol-related hospital admissions for people over 16 years old have doubled over the last decade.
According to the Information Centre for health and Social Care the figures have risen for the NHS as alcohol seems to be more affordable than ever.
Roy Dans, owner of Gordon Arms a Southampton local pub said: “It is mostly over the weekends that we see a lot of young people binge-drinking. However, it’s not the clubs and pubs that are responsible for that as the drinks are a lot more expensive, especially for students.”
He goes on to say: “The only way to help binge-drinking is to put a complete stop to discounts on alcohol in pubs and supermarkets. Concepts like ‘happy hours’ where alcohol is half the price and even discount cards enable people to drink twice as much as they normally would.”
However Dom Kozak, attendant at The Local in Bournemouth disagrees. He said: “Although special offers on alcohol do encourage people to binge-drink, it is up to the individuals to drink responsibly.
A rise in alcohol prices would have some effect but its really the law that needs to come down hard on heavy drinking.”
Teenagers are target to alcoholism
22 June 2007
Experts say that alcohol addiction amongst the youth is on the rise.
While not all youthful drug or alcohol use leads to addiction,
It is hard to tell how long it takes to develop an abuse problem. Moreover it is harder to see the traits of an addict amongst the youth.
According to Charlotte Denham, Street Scene councilor: “it is difficult to tell among teenagers if they are addicts or not. The simple reason being that the signs are very similar to adolescence.
Mood swings, bad hygiene, skipping school, rebellious behavior, changing friends, stealing, staying out late and not having any account of where they spend their money are just some of the behavioural symptoms. However, parents always know. It just depends on how long it takes them to accept it.”
The parents role in addiction is crucial. Denial is not just the trait of an addict. Parents often see their child going down the path to addiction and relate their heavy drinking to teenage behaviour.
Research shows that teenagers start using drugs and alcohol because they feel the need to take risks. It is also a form of relief from depression and daily stress.
Vita Nova to spread awareness on growing alcoholism
15 June 2007
Charity organization Vita Nova is to produce a set of plays related to alcoholism and addiction in the UK.
A call for spreading awareness on alcoholism is essential as official figures for alcohol related deaths across UK have doubled.
According to organizations such as Alcohol Concern the number of alcohol related deaths have risen to more than 22,000 a year which is almost three times the official figure.
Moreover, the number of underage drinkers admitted to hospitals with alcohol related conditions have risen by more than 20 percent in the last five years.
Vita Nova encourages the advancement of public knowledge in matters such as alcoholism and other social issues. Simon Bull, manager, said: "It is important to spread awareness, especially on alcoholism as it seems to be a growing problem. With our plays we intend to show people the different aspects of alcoholism and the struggles of an actual alcoholic. These will be enacted by our volunteers and people who are in recovery."
According to Endaf Evans, Young Adults Drug and Alcohol Service, effective measures must be used to educate people about alcoholism. He said: "Multi-faceted approaches are required to deal with this issue. Amongst other things, visual means and drama will be a good way of showing the audience the journey of an alcoholic while entertaining them at the same time. Actually showing the horrible effects that alcohol can have on a person physically and mentally will frighten and discourage people to binge drink."
Simon Bull goes on to say: "The plays will be for anyone willing to learn about alcohol and its effects. We want to eventually take the plays to schools, colleges and prisons across the country. The idea is to spread awareness and tackle the issue of rising alcoholism in the country."