Alcohol advice for staff in workplace
STAFF at some of Stoke-on-Trent's largest companies could be offered alcohol advice sessions in the workplace as part of efforts to cut soaring numbers of problem drinkers.
The plans will also see 20,000 handy guides distributed to people across the Potteries, which they can keep at home to measure how many alcohol units are in different drinks. GPs and nurses will help pass on the information.
Figures show more than 46,000 residents in the city are 'at risk' of damaging their health because of regularly hitting the bottle. And 9,500 of these people are addicted to alcohol.
Booze plays a major role in violent disorder and in emergency admissions to hospital, costing the NHS in Stoke-on-Trent at least £7.7 million in 2009/10 alone.
Now the Stoke-on-Trent Safer City Partnership is to take forward a series of projects aimed at reducing alcohol misuse.
The work with employers could include screening programmes and advice sessions for their staff. And there could be other drop-in clinics or appointments offered in job centres to reach out to drinkers.
A new community alcohol service will also be launched in April to coordinate support for adults in need of treatment. It will bring together provision such as counselling, community detoxification work, and drugs support.
It is set to cost up to £3.87 million to run this service over the next three years, with the bulk of the funding covered by NHS Stoke-on-Trent.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council will also be contributing financially. The developments are outlined in a report drawn up for this Thursday's city council cabinet meeting.
It says other preventative projects will include handing out 'parental alcohol education packs' to families to help them discuss alcohol misuse with their children.
There will also be work with local supermarkets to promote responsible alcohol sales.
This will be backed up by campaigns to reduce the number of youngsters buying alcohol 'by proxy' in shops.
And all maternity staff will be offered training in alcohol awareness to help prevent babies being born with alcohol-related disorders.
Successes in the city since 2009 have included:
Outreach work to help 988 young people access drug and alcohol education interventions;
Supporting more than 150 children in households where someone, such as a parent or sibling, abuses substances;
Assessing more than 900 people in custody for alcohol misuse. Over half of them were subsequently referred to alcohol support services as part of their bail conditions.
But Stoke-on-Trent still faces huge challenges, with rising demand for alcohol treatment. The city has the 11th highest rate in England for alcohol-related deaths among women and the 14th highest rate for men.
The cost to human life and well-being is just part of the equation.
Suzie Kelly, alcohol programme lead for the Safer City Partnership, said: "The financial strain that alcohol has on the economy is stark."
10 Comments
by warren46
Tuesday, September 27 2011, 10:20AM
“On one post I'm left wing, on the other I'm right wing, can you lot just make your mind up what I am, for god sake.”
by DoctorDo
Monday, September 26 2011, 10:09PM
“Jennifer, you have it all wrong. I'm far from being a robot although I'll admit to being right wing. Am I ugly inside because I disagree with your point of view, or is it because I believe that all people should stand on their own two feet and not blame their problems on the rest of society? Alcoholism is an illness, but, unlike a real illness such as cancer or diabetes, an alcoholic can choose not to be ill. Just stop drinking. Lots of people do. Where would we be if the world were ruled by wishy washy do-gooders like Jennifer?”
by warren46
Monday, September 26 2011, 9:47PM
“Yep! Real problems self inflicted, no ones asking them to drink like a Wilder-beast at a wartering hole Jenniferecc. Normal do gooder, anyone not holding the same thoughts as them are ultra right wing mad-men. We are not saying that they someone should not drink. Well, yes I would, and in very strong terms if it was doing them damage, but that would be for there own good. Only that its very strange that people on the JSA seem to be doing it as much, if not more so then others. I work, and have done all my life, I'm tea total now, but when I was drinking I did not have the time, money or indeed the inclination to drink like I see some doing now at all hours of the day and night. I happen to think the money is well spent on this move, as I think drinking as got to a point that its doing damage not only to the person but to the community's as a whole.”
by 1creature
Monday, September 26 2011, 9:44PM
“I wish I was a registered alcoholic. Unemployed and 2 weeks away from losing my house. One of my neighbours is a registered alcoholic. £210 a week !!! Although I'm teetotal I'm seriousely considering booking a Doctors appointment and 'necking' a bottle of vodka.
My father died through alcohol abuse. It's nice of the DWP to give these people (and my Father) all this money to feed their habit so they can afford to drink themselves to death while the rest of us struggle to merely survive or end up homeless because we AREN'T alcaholics.
Personally as it is more physically addictive than most drugs (including Heroin so the W.H.O. say) why is it legal to buy? If banned my Dad would still be alive.
Although I'm teetotal I'm seriousely considering booking a Doctors appointment and 'necking' a bottle of vodka.
Try getting a job around here that pays £210 AFTER bills, council tax, fuel, transport etc.
If I was an alcoholic I could pay my mortgage. Hmm.”
by Jenniferecc
Monday, September 26 2011, 8:45PM
“Its pretty obvious that that DoctorDo and his cronies are far right robots. That Doctordo especially is ugly inside having seen his posts before. These are human beings with real problems. What if someone close to you found themselves in trouble with a substance? Have some human grace and dignity you lot and get off your soap box or better still move to red neck Texas and be with those who are like-minded.”
by yamerama
Monday, September 26 2011, 5:15PM
“Simply the product of the ill conceived smoking ban? Folk stay home, buy more booze than at the pub - it's far cheaper, smoke more as they can please themselves, then get depressed as they have no mates. So they drink a bit more and so it escalates. No walk to the pub and back - no exercise at all, especially with online shopping too.”
by warren46
Monday, September 26 2011, 4:12PM
“I'll give them some advice, know when you have had your fill, and that don't mean when you fall on your backside!”
by DoctorDo
Monday, September 26 2011, 3:18PM
“Now Warren be fair mate, you couldn't ask a question like that, it would be an abuse of their human rights!!!!”
by scfcscfc08
Monday, September 26 2011, 2:01PM
“The cost of this measure is up to £3.87 million, with the bulk of the funding being covered by NHS Stoke-on-Trent and Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Why shouldn't the total cost of funding come from the pubs, clubs, booze vendors and those committing criminal and antisocial acts while under the influence of the demon drink. Why should those in genuine need, through no fault of their own, have their provision diluted to cater for those with self-inflicted alcoholism?
The same applies to the junkies and if they, like the alcoholics, are found to be causing any nuisance then bang them up in a chilled slammer to do cold turkey and dry out. Repeat the therapeutic dose as often as necessary until the message eventually filters through their deformed brain cell(s).”
by warren46
Monday, September 26 2011, 12:14PM
“Nice to see they are making arrangements to go to the Job Centres to 'reach out' to drinkers, don't know if it will work any day bar signing on day, its the only time the Job Centre staff see most of them. They should let me interview a few there. First question, "So then, how can you afford to get drunk on the JSA?" .
As for the cost to the NHS with drunks turning up at A&E in a state, said it before and I'll say it again, charge the b**gers, self inflicted.”