LORELY BURT WELCOMES MOVE TO TACKLE BINGE DRINKING

1.35.39pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th Jun 2007

Local MP Lorely Burt has welcomed new plans to tackle binge drinking. The Government's new National Alcohol Strategy, which has been launched today by the government, backs more guidance on safe drinking levels for teenagers, parents and teachers, helplines for those who want to cut down, a review of NHS alcohol spending, and tougher punishments for drunken behaviour.

Alcohol referral schemes are also to be introduced for alcoholics, in the same way that drug addicts are sent for compulsory counselling after being arrested.

Commenting on the new National Alcohol Strategy from Westminster, Lorely said:

"This is a big step forward. A fresh look at the growing problem of excessive drinking across the UK is long overdue. Too little has been done to tackle this worrying trend in Solihull by both the government the council.

"Urgent action is needed to stem the binge drinking culture which takes root in so many people at a young age and leaves them with health problems for life. Someone drinking as a young teenager is far more likely to be dependent on alcohol in adult life.

"There are local people, adults, who on a very regular basis are probably drinking twice the amount that is recommended. In fact, latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show that approximately 13.6% of people in Solihull binge drink. This is a worryingly high proportion.

"Of course, binge drinking causes problems for many others in society too. It's proven that rates of domestic violence and violent crime are up to three times higher when someone has been binge drinking.

"The Government's trumpeted 2004 alcohol strategy is now merely gathering dust. The same must not be allowed to happen to these latest plans."

ENDS