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New policy targets Renfrewshire’s alcohol abuse problem
Home > News and Events > News - release archive > 2008 > May
Renfrewshire councillors have agreed to sign up to a new policy aimed at reducing the social, health and economic effects of alcohol abuse in Renfrewshire.
Health studies show that nearly 14,000 local women and over 20,000 local men take part in binge drinking. The figures also indicate that some 7,000 women and 12,000 men were drunk at least once a week over a three month period.
The Joint Alcohol Policy Statement was discussed at a meeting of Renfrewshire Council on Thursday 22 May.
The human, social, health and financial cost of alcohol abuse in Renfrewshire is enormous. Each year, on average, three Renfrewshire residents are murdered in drink-related violence; over 1,500 are admitted to hospital with alcohol-related problems; and around 86 die because of drink related illnesses – twice the Scottish average.
The impact of alcohol abuse amongst teenagers is also becoming increasingly apparent. The Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS) suggested that in the past year, as many as 524 thirteen year-olds and 984 fifteen year-olds had been in a fight, been in trouble with the police or stayed off school because of drink.
Renfrewshire Council leader Derek Mackay said: "We can no longer shy away from the fact that the levels of death, disease and wider harm from alcohol problems are at record levels within Renfrewshire."
"The human cost of drink is terrifying. It plays a major part in murders, assaults, domestic abuse, house fires, traffic accidents and health problems. The financial cost to Renfrewshire is also massive. The direct cost of drink related crime and health problems is over £80million a year."
"All the organisations involved in fighting alcohol abuse have to work to change attitudes. We have to work together and to make sure that there is help available when it's needed and that it is the right sort of help."
"This new policy is a clear statement of our intention to tackle Renfrewshire's drink problem."
The Renfrewshire Joint Alcohol Policy Statement has been drafted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Renfrewshire Council, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Strathclyde Police following the 'Changing Culture' conference on the impact of alcohol in Renfrewshire.
The conference, held in February at Paisley Town Hall, brought together over 150 representatives of public and voluntary agencies which deal with alcohol issues.
Key initiatives under the policy include:
- Working to cut the harm done to children who live in families affected by drink
- Extending initiatives to cut alcohol related crime and the fear of crime
- Reducing alcohol related deaths and hospital admissions by improving alcohol services
- Working with the licensing trade to cut sales to underage drinkers
- Working together to actively promote alcohol awareness messages
- Cutting drinking as a whole and especially in groups who binge drink
- Reviewing guidelines on accepting sponsorship from drink companies
- Promoting sensible drinking amongst partnership employees
