CAMDEN COUNCIL WATCHDOG CALLS FOR MORE ACTION TO TACKLE ALCOHOL MISUSE

6 February 2006

An independent group of Camden councillors has called for more resources to be put into tackling and preventing alcohol misuse in the borough. In a report published last week (1 February 2006) they call for a champion to be appointed to better coordinated alcohol recovery, prevention and health promotion services in Camden.

The report follows a nine-month investigation set up by the council’s watchdog, the Overview and Scrutiny Commission, after a survey showed that Camden has one of the highest rates of dangerous drinking in the country. With 14,000 Camden adults drinking at level that could risk their health the investigation found a shortage of services could mean that fewer than 1 in 14 alcohol dependent residents were getting any help with their addiction.

The Alcohol Misuse Scrutiny Panel looked into drink and alcohol related problems in Camden and the work done by the health services, the council and other agencies to tackle and prevent alcohol related problems. The panel saw how alcohol misuse was putting an enormous strain on local health and social care services, with over 70 per cent of all weekend accident and emergency admissions to hospitals related to alcohol. It found tackling alcohol abuse has not been given the priority that is needed and this has led to the lack of services.

Only thirteen per cent of money for tackling drugs and alcohol in adults is set aside for funding alcohol dependency services, despite evidence showing there are more than twice as many people in Camden dependent on alcohol than on drugs. It also highlighted the lack of help available to people who were drinking at dangerous or unhealthy levels. The report called for GP’s to play a greater role in identifying patients drinking at dangerous levels before it began to seriously affect their health or they became alcohol dependent.

Cllr Charlie Hedges, Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, said, “Alcohol is too often a forgotten problem. From the heavy drinking young officer worker to the long-term street drinkers, there simply hasn’t been the priority given to preventing alcohol abuse in this country.

“There is a lot of good work being done, but we need a champion to take the lead on tackling drink and alcohol problems in Camden. They must bring the many public and voluntary agencies that exist together to educate people about the dangers of drinking too much and give people with alcohol problems the help they need.”

After evidence showed that more young people are drinking more alcohol at a younger age than ever before, the panel looked at the impact of alcohol on young people in Camden.

Councillors were keen to see more innovative ideas to help children who may be drinking alcohol or being affected by an alcoholic parent or family member and to educate them about drink. Councillors wanted to see more schemes like Camden Primary Care Trust’s ‘Theatre in Education’ programme. This aims to teach 12 and 13-year old school children the dangers of drinking too much, such as unwanted pregnancy.

The report also welcomed the planned pilot Family Drug Courts that Camden Council is developing with Wells Street Family court and other boroughs. This plan ensures that families get help to deal with drug or alcohol addiction problems to prevent them being split up.

Cllr Hedges, added: “Alcohol can have a devastating impact on people’s lives. Young people are at risk from drinking dangerously themselves, but are often the silent victims of an alcoholic parent. We need to do more to protect children from the damage that alcohol causes. I want to educate our children about alcohol so they can make informed and safe choices.”

The investigation also called for extra investment in wet centres to help hardened street drinkers get help with their addition, especially if plans for a borough wide Controlled Drinking Zone go ahead.

Panel members found some groups of people were not always getting help with alcohol problems. These included older people, women - particularly woman affected by domestic violence, some black and minority ethnic groups and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

While the panel recognised there was good work being done, the report recommended that the Primary Care Trust, Drugs Action Team and council look at how they provide support to help them overcome some specific problems. Such as older people’s ability to access services or the shame associated from drinking alcohol in some cultures.

During their investigation panel members took evidence from health professionals, drink and drug agencies, other local authorities, as well as speaking to people who have suffered from drink problems.

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