In support of National Alcohol Awareness Week 2018 #AAW2018, Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is reminding residents of the potentially harmful effects of alcohol, as well as the support available...
In support of National Alcohol Awareness Week 2018 #AAW2018, Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is reminding residents of the potentially harmful effects of alcohol, as well as the support available for those who need more help. This week over 1,700 community groups around the country are taking part in Alcohol Awareness Week – more than double the number that took part last year. The week is spearheaded by the new national charity Alcohol Change UK, which launches today, formed from the merger of Alcohol Concern and Alcohol Research UK.
Throughout the week information will be shared about the Public Health England ‘Drink Free Days’ campaign, encouraging everyone to think about how and they they should cut back on their units each week.
In Warwickshire, a variety of services are available to those in need of support to deal with reliance on alcohol and/or drugs. Following an extensive countywide consultation and engagement, service redesign and re-commissioning process, WCC launched Pathways earlier this year.
Warwickshire Pathways is commissioned by WCC and delivered by specialist providers. The service is delivered in the following ways:
Children and Young Persons’ Drug and Alcohol Service includes an 18-25 years transition service– Provided by Compass.
Adult Drug and Alcohol Service includes an 18-25 years transition service – Provided by Change Grow Live. (CGL)
All Age Recovery and Well Being Network – Provided by Change Grow Live. (CGL)
Additionally, Warwickshire now has its own local, community-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation service in the south of the county. The development was supported by a Public Health England Grant and WCC, and is led by one of our existing providers, Experience, Strength and Hope (ESH).
Cllr Les Caborn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Health, said: “There are no safe levels of drinking alcohol, however drinking within the recommended weekly limit will ensure you remain within the low risk category. Reducing your alcohol intake has many benefits. Not only are you at lower risk of related illness, it can help you to lose weight and improve your mental health and wellbeing.
“Warwickshire Pathways is a key part of Warwickshire County Council’s commitment to keep all its residents healthy and in prioritising help to the most vulnerable people in our communities. We work closely with service users, their families and key partners within health, social care, housing, employment and the criminal justice system, delivering outcomes that positively impact on an individual’s health and well-being and on those of society as a whole.”
Dr Richard Piper, Chief Executive of Alcohol Change UK, said:
“The situation with alcohol in the UK looks, at first glance, bleak. In 2017 20 people died each day as a result of their drinking. It’s not only individuals who are harmed; whole families, including the 200,000 children living with alcohol dependent parents, feel the effects of heavy drinking. In fact our whole society is impacted through the increased pressures on the NHS and other services. Many of us feel that drinking is an expectation rather than a choice.
“But there are signs that the tide is changing. The amount of alcohol drunk by young people is falling. Sales of no and low alcohol beer has increased 58% year-on-year– you’ve probably noticed the new sections in supermarkets! And communities across the country will be taking part in Alcohol Awareness Week. The time is ripe for serious change – to improve and save hundreds of thousands of lives.”
Please visit warwickshire.gov.uk/drugsandalcohol for more information on support services available to Warwickshire residents.
To find out more about how much you are drinking and easy ways you can cut back, read more at: nhs.uk/oneyou/drinking
For more information on health and wellbeing service in Warwickshire, visit: warwickshire.gov.uk/health