RESPONSE TO REVISED FIGURES ON ALCOHOL-RELATED HARMS

Alcohol Concern Statement

Commenting on the Government?s upwardly revised estimates of annual, alcohol-related hospital admissions, Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern said:

?The figures released today show that the problem faced by front line staff in the NHS and the police services is far greater than many people realise. The KPMG report detailing numerous instances of poor practice within the licensed trade confirms earlier research carried out by Alcohol Concern that points to a fundamental problem in the way the night-time economy is presently regulated.

We welcome the fact that Government is finally considering a more robust programme to bring down the levels of harm. The combination of a mandatory code of standards among the licensed trade and improved resources to support problem drinkers, will undoubtedly help to bring down the burden that alcohol misuse places on public services. However, the key test will be whether Government is prepared to introduce statutory industry safeguards to protect public health and save avoidable costs.?

ENDS

For more information please contact Frank Soodeen at the Alcohol Concern press office on 0207 264 0514.




Notes to editors

Alcohol Concern?s recent report Unequal partners: A report into the limitations of the alcohol regulatory regime provides a detailed analysis of official data and recent primary research into the way alcohol is sold in England. It criticises ?the multi-layered web of laws, voluntary codes and guidelines? that now surround licensed practice for being unclear and unable to deliver the transparency and accountability that is characteristic of effective regulation. A copy is available here: http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/servlets/doc/1361

Date: 22 July 2008

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