NEW THREE YEAR ALCOHOL STRATEGY FOR CITY
The strategy, ‘Reducing Harm / Empowering Change’, sets out Birmingham’s key objectives for the next three years in tackling alcohol related harm. Its main aims are to:
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• challenge and change the idea that drunken anti-social behaviour is acceptable or normal; • vigorously implement and action measures to reduce alcohol related crime and disorder; • target support and treatment to those most at risk of harm including the family harms that are associated with alcohol misuse through domestic violence and child abuse; • provide readily accessible information and advice for all citizens of all ages about the health risks of harmful drinking; • ensure that business and industry reinforce responsible drinking messages; and • develop robust infrastructures to support both the delivery of effective alcohol interventions and the measurement of outcomes that clearly demonstrate progress. |
The strategy has been developed by a number of partners across the city who recognise and share the public’s concern that current levels of crime, disorder and ill health caused by alcohol are unacceptable.
It is also clear that there are significant financial costs incurred as a result of the misuse of alcohol as well as immeasurable human costs which impact on individuals, families and communities.
High Tibbits, the city’s newly appointed Alcohol Co-ordinator said. “Significant improvements have been made in the last three years, especially in the city centre, with some initiatives attracting national acclaim. We believe that by working together we can achieve our aim to shape an environment that actively promotes sensible drinking, reduces the harms associated with the misuse of alcohol and helps to create a safer and healthier Birmingham”.
HM Government has recently published the next steps in the alcohol strategy for England (Safe Sensible Social: June 2007) which outlines measures to address the issues of alcohol misuse. This, combined with the city’s newly developed strategy, will be pivotal in bringing about change to meet the local needs of the communities we serve.
Copies of the alcohol strategy are available online at www.birmingham-dat.org.uk or contact the Drug Action Team on 0121 465 4930 to request a copy. Alternatively, you can download a copy by right-clicking <<here>> (or the above image) and choosing the 'save as' option from the menu.
For more information about the strategy contact Hugh Tibbitts, Alcohol Co-coordinator at hugh.tibbits@birmingham.gov.uk or on 0121 465 4930.