KELVIN HOPKINS MP CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION ON ALCOHOL

Kelvin Hopkins MP for Luton North last week met Health Minister, Gisela Stuart MP to demand Government action to deal with alcohol problems in Britain. As Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Misuse, Kelvin led a discussion between the Minister, Parliamentarians and professionals from Alcohol Concern at which the Government was urged to bring forward its long-planned Alcohol strategy to counter the problems caused by alcohol abuse and excessive drinking, especially amongst the young.

Kelvin Hopkins said: “Excessive drinking, especially by young people, poses serious problems for the future. The government should make it clear that alcohol does not just make people ill in the short term, but poses the constant threat of addiction which can seriously damage people's lives. Even before the government brought forward its full Alcohol Strategy, there were simple steps it could take to curb excessive alcohol consumption.

“The Government is pouring resources into countering illicit drug taking, with the appointment of its Drug Tsar, but alcohol policy is still the poor relation in Government despite the fact that the damage caused to individuals and society by alcohol are far and away greater than that caused by illicit drugs. Alcohol is a legal drug, but it is vital to persuade everyone, young and old, to practise sensible drinking within safe limits for health reasons and to avoid addiction.”

Note to Editors: Kelvin Hopkins MP is also a Patron of Alcohol Services for the Community, the Luton and Bedfordshire voluntary organisation dealing with alcohol problems.