The ONS has published new data on alcohol-related mortality rates in the UK.  Although there have been suggestions that the steady increase in alcohol-related deaths since the early 1990s was levelling out, the latest figures show alcohol-related deaths in males to have increased in all age groups in 2008 compared with figures in 2007.   Read more on the ONS website and see Alcohol Concern’s comment.

Data published by the NHS Information Centre highlights a worrying increase in the amount of alcohol consumed by young people around the country.  Despite variations between regions in the levels of alcohol consumption by 11-15s, what remains clear is that the quantities of alcohol consumed by young people who drink is increasing to the limit of what is considered to be safe for adults.

The regional breakdown shows that in the North East, young people who drink alcohol are consuming an average of 17.7 units each week -  the highest levels in the country. While boys’ levels of consumption in this region is almost level with suggested limits for adult males, girls are drinking 15.5 units per week, well in excess of levels considered safe for adult females.  Download the report from the NHS Information Centre and see Alcohol Concern’s comment.

A new survey reveals a distinct difference in smoking and drinking habits between managers and professionals and those in manual jobs.  Adults in households classified as 'managerial and professional' drank more alcohol than 'routine and manual' households - 13.8 units compared with 10.6 units as a weekly average. Download the report - 'Smoking and drinking among adults, 2008'from the ONS website.

The National Treatment Agency has released regional information on treatment for young peopleentering specialist substance misuse services.

A ban on irresponsible drink promotions and a compulsory requirement to check under-18s for ID are amongst the final conditions of a proposed mandatory code for alcohol retailers announced by the Home Secretary, Alan Johnson. The proposed conditions are planned to come into effect in April and October this year.  Find out more on the Home Office website

....and new powers (introduced via the Policing and Crime Act) to tackle underage drinking also came into force at the end of January.

The Conservative Party says that there is confusion over the units system and the UK should adopt specific measures, as much of Europe has done, to help encourage safer drinking.  Find out more about the Party's proposals.

Embrace has now started running one day training events – ‘Opening the can of worms – safely’ which aim to give adult alcohol services the basics they need to work safely and effectively with children, families and domestic abuse issues.  Find out further details about these training events together with a full update on the work of the Embrace project  on the Alcohol Concern website.

This year HubCAPP (the Hub of Commissioned Alcohol Projects and Policies) has launched two new awards to recognise the many exceptional people and exceptional organisations working to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm in England.  Find out more about the HubCAPP awards.

Alcohol Concern Cymru has launched a series of six new factsheets looking at a range of alcohol issues in Wales. Each of the six has been fully revised and updated to take into account the latest statistics and policies for Wales, and is available in English and Welsh. Download free copies of the factsheets from the Alcohol Concern website. Print copies are also available free of charge from Alcohol Concern Cymru.

Alcohol Concern’s youth policy project is organising a series of regional seminars in England and Wales for those who work in the sector and for young people themselves.  The seminars are planned for the spring of 2010 and evidence gathered will help shape the project’s campaign.   If you are interested in participating, please email the project or keep an eye on the youth policy section of the Alcohol Concern website.

Developing choice in peer-support: The SMART Recovery Model conference - Tuesday 9 March - London.  The conference will provide research and practical experience on how SMART Recovery can benefit commissioners, treatment providers and service users.  Find out further details and book a place online.

Contents

Embrace

HubCAPP

Alcohol Concern Cymru

Youth Policy Project

Smart Recovery

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