WHAT'S NEW

Unequal Partners: A Report into the Limitations of the Alcohol Regulatory Regime has just been published by Alcohol Concern. According to the report the long standing agreement between the Government and alcohol trade associations - whereby licensees conform to set standards of sales practices through largely voluntary means - is failing to safeguard the public. The full report can be downloaded here.

Mandatory regulation and labelling could be on the cards for the alcohol industry following a major consultation about England's drinking culture, just launched by the Department of Health. Safe, Sensible, Social - a consultation on further action can be accessed on the Department of Health's website. For details click here.

Embrace - Families and Domestic Violence Project: Alcohol Concern recently set up a new project on children, families and domestic violence/abuse called Embrace, which has been funded by the Big Lottery Fund for the next three years. The need for this project emerged from previous work that Alcohol Concern carried out on its Parenting and Alcohol Project. We will work in close collaboration with the Mental Health Research and Development Unit at Bath University, as well as with the University of Warwick, Adfam and the Stella Project. For further details of the project click here.

The pilot site selection process for Embrace has now begun and application packs are available to download from this website. Please click here for full details.

Smart Recovery - Alcohol Concern is pleased to announce the introduction of a new project aimed at increasing self-help groups across the country. The Smart Recovery self-help programme will work with alcohol services around 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. Phase One of the Alcohol Concern Smart Recovery programme will be to identify and initiate a network of eight pilot Smart Recovery groups across England. Find out further details about the Smart Recovery project, click here. If you are an alcohol service provider and would like to participate as one of the pilot groups, please download an application form, here. (Deadline extended to 12 September)

Are you a young person under the age of 18? Then we would love to hear from you!
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. We would be very grateful if you could take the time to complete our short, 18 question survey. Click here to take survey. It's completely anonymous!

Alcohol Concern Training: Alcohol Brief Interventions This training is 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: 23 October, 27 November 2008
For more information click here.

Information - Help and Advice: If you are concerned about your own or someone else's drinking - please contact Drinkline on: 0800 917 8282
To find your nearest alcohol service click here