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ALCOHOL CONCERN NEWS
1 August 2008
UNEQUAL PARTNERS: A REPORT INTO THE LIMITATIONS OF THE ALCOHOL REGULATORY REGIME
ALCOHOL CONCERN NEWS
1 August 2008
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UNEQUAL PARTNERS: A REPORT INTO THE LIMITATIONS OF THE ALCOHOL REGULATORY REGIME
Alcohol Concern has just published a new report into the limitations of the alcohol regulatory regime. In the report Alcohol Concern says that the long standing agreement between the government and the alcohol trade associations ? whereby licensees conform to set standards of sales practices through largely voluntary means ? is failing to safeguard the public.
Alcohol Concern members have been sent a printed copy of the report which can also be downloaded from the Alcohol Concern website: http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/servlets/doc/1361. Our press release is here: http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/servlets/doc/1362
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SAFE, SENSIBLE SOCIAL ? CONSULTATION ON FURTHER ACTION
Mandatory regulation and labelling could be on the cards for the alcohol industry
In the same week that Alcohol Concern published its report into the limitations of the alcohol regulatory regime, the government launched a major consultation exercise about whether there is a need for further regulation of alcohol retailing. We are urging everyone who deals with the consequences of irresponsible sales practices to make their voices heard at this critical time and to this end we will be looking to develop a unified response from Alcohol Concern and our key partners and members. Please let us know if you have local examples of poor industry practice, or information on alcohol-related crime reduction initiatives that have had any kind of success in your respective communities. Please forward details to: franks@alcoholconcern.org.uk
Safe, Sensible, Social ? Consultation on Further Action can be downloaded from the Department of Health website: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_086412 (Closing date for responses 14 October 2008). The government also released a number of accompanying documents to the consultation which can be downloaded from this same link on the DoH website.
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SMART RECOVERY SELF-HELP PROGRAMME
Alcohol Concern is pleased to announce the introduction of a new project aimed to increase self-help groups across England. Smart Recovery is based on cognitive-behaviour principles and mutual aid. Alcohol Concern will work in partnership with Smart Recovery UK to deliver the project. Full details of the Smart Recovery Programme Project can be downloaded from the Alcohol Concern website: http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/servlets/doc/1366. If you are an alcohol service provider and would like to participate as one of the pilot groups for the project, please download an application form from our website: http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/servlets/doc/1367 (Closing date for applications 23 August 2008).
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EMBRACE ? ACTING TOGETHER ON ALCOHOL, FAMILIES AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Embrace is the new Alcohol Concern project that aims to encourage alcohol services to become more focused on children and families and more effective in dealing with issues of domestic abuse. Funded by the Big Lottery, the work is limited to eight pilot sites and application packs have already been sent out to over 90 agencies who have expressed an interest. Only voluntary sector alcohol services that are not already undertaking formal work with children, families or domestic abuse are eligible and if you would like to apply to become a pilot site please contact: jhunt@alcoholconcern.org.uk. (Closing date for receipt of applications is 11 September 2008).
Further information about the Embrace project can be downloaded from the Alcohol Concern website: http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/servlets/doc/1359
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ALCOHOL BRIEF INTERVENTIONS TRAINING
Alcohol Concern will be running training days for those working in primary care, social care and the housing sector who need training and information on alcohol awareness and making appropriate interventions with problem drinkers.
Dates: 25 September, 23 October, 27 November 2008
Cost: £75 +VAT
Location: Alcohol Concern, 64 Leman Street, London, E1 8EU.
For more information and to book places please email cjohnson@alcoholconcern.org.uk
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OTHER NEWS:
1) On 14 July the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, published his 2007 Annual Report, in which he called for a new focus on teenage health. The report, which reviews key health problems and developments over the last year, highlighted the unique health needs of teenagers. It also called for the drink-drive limit for drivers aged between 17 and 20 to be reduced to zero. The report can be downloaded here: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/AnnualReports/DH_086176
2) Drug use, smoking and drinking among young people in England in 2007 ? new survey recently published by the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care. Full report can be accessed here: http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/health-and-lifestyles-related-surveys/smoking-drinking-and-drug-use-among-young-people-in-england/drug-use-smoking-and-drinking-among-young-people-in-england-2007
3) Crime in England and Wales 2007/08 report released in July. Findings from the British Crime Survey and police recorded crime: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/hosb0708.pdf
4) ?Are we choosing health?? ? a joint report from the Audit Commission and the Healthcare Commission reviews how well the NHS and local government are tackling the issues of health improvement and health inequalities at a local and national level. It focuses on the impact of several policies all of which have a remit to improve problems such as smoking cessation, obesity, alcohol misuse, sexual and mental health, and well-being among young children and older people. The report can be downloaded from the Audit Commission?s website: http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/NATIONAL-REPORT.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=7F6A356F-06CE-4230-9F6A-3BEAC23DCFDD&fromREPORTSANDDATA=NATIONAL-REPORT
5) The government is proposing to remove incapacity benefits by 2013 and abolish income support in order to create a more streamlined system based on just two working-age benefits ? the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), for those who have a medical condition which prevents them from working, and Jobseekers? Allowance (JSA) for everyone who is able to work. The new reforms were unveiled in a green paper published last week called ?No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility?. The publication of the green paper will be followed by three months of public consultation on the proposals. Specifically, the government is proposing to adopt the recommendations of the Freud report in full, with a greater role envisaged for the voluntary sector in the provision of back to work services. Alcohol misuse is a major cause of incapacity and AC News Subscribers may have strong views on these proposals. To participate in the consultation, visit: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform/noonewrittenoff (Consultation runs until 22 October 2008)
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DO YOU WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE?
Alcohol Concern is planning a major new research project looking at how to develop support systems for teenagers who are drinking at high-risk levels and might benefit from visiting an alcohol service. We are currently seeking the views of young people to better understand how we might go about framing this research and we would be very grateful if you could ask young people ? under the age of 18 ? to complete our short survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Il_2brMOK07lucXgaNFySWmQ_3d_3d
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ALCOHOL CONCERN PUBLICATIONS
Alcohol Concern publishes a number of booklets which look at key topics such as: ?Putting the children first: helping families to deal with the effects of a parent?s heavy drinking on family life?; ?I don?t mind if I do?.alcohol and older people: safer drinking for the over 60s?; ?A woman?s guide to alcohol? and ?Concerned about someone?s drinking??. Each booklet costs £2.75 and can be ordered direct from the Alcohol Concern online bookshop: http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/servlets/searchbooks/list_all - or download an order form: http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/servlets/wrapper/publications.jsp
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ALCOHOL CONCERN?S CONSULTANCY AND TRAINING UNIT
Alcohol Concern is seeking experienced freelance alcohol professionals to join our expanding Consultancy and Training Unit, specifically:
Consultants who are experts in the alcohol field and have a proven consultancy track record (experts new to consultancy will also be considered)
Trainers experienced in delivering Alcohol Brief Interventions training
Please send CVs to Catherine Johnson cjohnson@alcoholconcern.org.uk by 15 August.
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ALCOHOL CONCERN ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND AGM
WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER 2008
Localism: Friend or Foe ? How does national alcohol policy translate at the local level?
We are pleased to announce that we now have two prominent government figures, Dawn Primarolo, Minister of State for Public Health and Vernon Coaker, Under-Secretary of State for Crime Reduction, confirmed to speak at this year?s Annual Conference which will consider the challenges in delivering national alcohol policy at the local level and will explore examples of local good practice.
Download a copy of the Conference Flyer and Booking Form from the Alcohol Concern website: http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/files/20080801_141335_Flyer%202008.pdf
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Alcohol Concern, 64 Leman Street, London, E1 8EU; telephone: 020 7264 0510;
fax: 020 7488 9213; email: contact@alcoholconcern.org.uk
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Date: 01 August 2008
