We all know what’s it like over the festive period, champagne to celebrate, wine with the meal, port with cheese, it all racks up.
So not surprisingly, many people decide to go dry during January to give their livers a rest.
The Island NHS are urging Islanders to go a step further and sign a manifesto to look at how problems linked to drinking too much should be tackled.
It’s part of an initiative in the South East called the Big Drink Debate manifesto, which we’re told will aim to outline a vision addressing alcohol-related health and social issues in the region. Signing up to the manifesto will give you an opportunity to influence how problems are tackled and dealt with.
Professor John Newton, Regional Public Health Director for NHS South Central, which is behind the project, said “Cutting down on how much we drink is on many of our minds at this time of year. This is a timely opportunity for people of the South East to say how they feel we should all address problems linked to excessive drinking. I call on your readers to sign up and comment on the manifesto, and to share it with friends and colleagues.”
What’s in the manifesto?
It’s based on local opinions gathered through research as well as at public debates from autumn 2009. It highlights the need to:
· Support police forces in tackling anti-social behaviour and alcohol related crimes
· Work to reduce family breakdown and domestic abuse linked to alcohol
· Explore whether minimum prices and restrictions on cheap alcohol sales should be introduced
· Make adult drinkers of all ages aware of health risks from drinking above guidelines, not just binge drinkers
· Help employers advise staff on potential effects of their drinking
You have until the end of the month to sign up for the manifesto, which you can do online.
