subject: Is This The Best Way To Tackle Alcohol Misuse [print this page] Alcohol consumption in the UK has apparently doubled since the 1950s according to Cornwall Council's Alcohol Strategy Unit. The Alcohol Strategy Unit by the way is an initiative worth praising, but back to that in a minute.
It should be no great surprise that alcohol consumption in the UK has increased dramatically in the last 60 years, so has coffee consumption, road use and whole host of consumer activities. The population has increased considerably since the 1950s. The census in 1951 showed the population at just over 50 million; the population today is just over 61 million. And the census in 2001showed that for the first time there were more people over the age of 60 than there are children, so the population is getting older.
As a result, with over 11 million more people and a larger proportion of the population of legal drinking age, it stands to reason that there will be an increase in alcohol consumption in the UK since the 1950s.
If you combine this with more choice, more outlets selling alcohol, sexual equality, more media glamorising alcohol consumption and higher disposable incomes, it's hardly surprising that alcohol consumption has increased considerably in the last 60 years. But that shouldn't be looked at as a bad thing and it does not mean the country has gone to the dogs. The overwhelming vast majority of people who consume alcohol regularly do not commit crimes as a consequence of that consumption. This though is the complete opposite viewpoint of certain sections of the media who like to sensationalise and make mountains out of mole hills to swell their circulations.
However, getting back to Cornwall's Alcohol Strategy, on the whole it is an excellent initiative because the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption do need to be highlighted. For instance alcohol related deaths have increased consistently since the 90s.
According to Jez Bayes leader of the Cornwall Alcohol Strategy Unit - "This strategy describes the way we will promote a commonsense attitude to alcohol, and the choices Cornwall has made in taking this responsibility seriously."
The strategy was launched at The Office nightclub in Truro in an event attended by representatives from the licensed trade and young people's alcohol workers from Truro Hospital's A&E department.
It is wide-ranging and includes education and advice services, responsible retail, licensing and enforcement, treatment and housing and the impact on families and communities.
It is initiatives like this that need to be promoted and encouraged by the Government. Treating people with respect will generate much better results in reducing health damaging alcohol usage and alcohol related crime than minimum pricing initiatives and licensing reform.
Thanks to This Is Cornwall for bringing my attention to The Cornwall Alcohol Strategy Unit
