Greater Manchester unites to tackle the ‘scourge’ of alcohol abuse

Councils, health services and the police have today (Friday 29 August) officially teamed up to tackle alcohol abuse in Greater Manchester.

This is the first time ever in the UK such a large number of public bodies have united to launch a joint effort to deal with the problems caused by alcohol harm.

It is estimated excess alcohol consumption in Greater Manchester costs £1.2bn every year. That’s £436 for every person living in the region.

The strategy, which was officially endorsed today by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), focuses on prevention of alcohol abuse and bringing in consistent measures to tackle the problems it causes.

The strategy sets out a number of recommendations which include:

· Ensuring licensing powers are more effective and used consistently

·  Putting the right services in place to protect victims of domestic abuse 

· Improving awareness of the impact of drinking to the whole population

Councillor Mike Connolly, Leader of Bury Council and GMCA’s lead for the strategy, said: “The impact of alcohol abuse is huge and it’s everybody’s business. It impacts on the health and wellbeing of our residents, the safety of our communities and the future success of our town centres and their night-time economies. It’s essential that all public bodies from across our region work together to tackle this scourge on our society.

“Today is significant, because we are the first region in the country to embark on such an ambitious piece of work together. It’s obviously not a problem just for Greater Manchester, but the facts speak for themselves. Thirty eight per cent of violent incidents that result in an injury involve alcohol and one in three domestic incidents is alcohol related. Typically, people battling with alcohol die earlier, go to
hospital more often and struggle to hold down regular work.  Binge drinking also has a massive effect on our town centres, putting pressure on businesses and impacting on the safety of our residents.  We must join forces to tackle this now.”

The recommendations within the strategy are in line with national objectives set by the government. Greater Manchester has been selected as one of 20 Local Alcohol Action Areas (LAAAs) by the Home Office and Public Health England. The LAAA project encourages joint work to tackle alcohol-related
harms; and promote growth by establishing diverse and vibrant night-time economies.

At the launch today, the leaders of the ten local authorities in Greater Manchester, joined with health and police representatives to pledge their commitment to tackle alcohol abuse.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jim Battle said: “Pulling together and implementing a comprehensive alcohol strategy across Greater Manchester presents a unique opportunity to direct our collective efforts to address the harm caused by alcohol, making best use of good practice that is taking place locally and the resources we have available.

“The strategy has been designed to do just that and will ensure that communities and partners work together in a coordinated, complementary way.”

This strategy is one of the ways the ten local authorities are working together to creating a truly great Greater Manchester, where everyone shares in this success (look out for #10WorkingAs1 on our social media sites).  Please see the Greater Manchester Strategy, Stronger Together, for more information about our growth and reform priorities.

To view the Greater Manchester Alcohol Strategy, go to www.agma.gov.uk

ENDS

Issued: 29 August 2014.

Picture attached: Launching the strategy are (from left) Jim Battle, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester; Councillor Mike Connolly, Leader of Bury
Council; Councillor Cliff Morris, Leader of Bolton Council; and Sandy Bering from the Association of GM CCGs.

All media enquiries should be directed to Wigan Council’s communications team via d.henry@wigan.gov.uk or 01942 827823.

The Greater Manchester alcohol strategy has been overseen by an appointed leaders group which is representative of the key partners of GMCA.  It is an important delivery vehicle against both the growth and reform elements of Greater Manchester’s overarching strategy.

The initial engagement work to develop the strategy has been far reaching and has included a public consultation, as well as involvement from Greater Manchester’s public sector partners, various voluntary and community sector organisations, and key alcohol trade representatives. 

The 20 national LAAA’s are: Blackpool, Croydon, Doncaster, Gloucester City, Gravesham, Greater Manchester, Halton, Hastings, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Newham, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire county, Pembrokeshire, Scarborough, Slough, Southend on Sea, Stoke on Trent, Swansea, and Weston Super Mare. 

More information on Government’s Local Alcohol Action Areas can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-alcohol-action-areas.