19 October 2009 - Rethink Your Drink

Approximately 40,000 people in Portsmouth regularly drink above low-risk levels.  8,000 are high-risk drinkers (men who regularly drink above 50 units per week and women over 35 units per week).  This means they are more likely to develop health problems related to their drinking.

In order to address this issue the Safer Portsmouth Partnership is running a series of activities during National Alcohol Awareness Week to promote low risk drinking and highlight the support that is available for those that need it.

National Alcohol Awareness week starts on the 19th October.  The local activities that will take place to help Portsmouth residents rethink their drink include:

  • Alcohol Awareness stands at
    • Probation Services (Monday pm)
    • Ella Gordon Unit (Tuesday evening)
    • Cascades Shopping Centre (Tuesday)
  • ‘Rethink Your Drink’ scratch cards available to all staff at the Civic Offices as well as online version to staff at Portsmouth City Council, Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust, Fire Service, Police and Portsmouth Hospitals Trust – the online version is available at:
    http://www.hampshire.nhs.uk/your-health/rethink-your-drink
  • 4,000 scratch cards available at GP surgeries, St. Mary’s Walk-in Centre and A&E
  • Education packs being given out to young people in youth clubs (Mon - Fri), and during
  • Outreach work with young people in public places on Friday and Saturday night
  • Advice sessions to young mums about the risk to babies of drinking whilst pregnant
  • SAVE DAVE bus back advertising campaign – Dave is rethinking his drinking
  • Read Dave’s blog at www.savedave.info

Paul Edmondson-Jones, Director of Public Health and Well-being, for Portsmouth City said, “We are pleased to be taking part in National Alcohol Awareness Week.  Portsmouth has its share of alcohol related problems, we have the highest rate of alcohol related hospital admissions in the South East, and we need to try to improve the situation. 

We are not trying to preach to people, we will just provide people with information so they can make an informed choice.  We are just simply asking people to rethink their drink.”

Councillor Jason Fazackarley, Cabinet Member for Community Safety said, “The Rethink Your Drink scratch card is a fun way of promoting a serious message.  There are a number of problems associated with alcohol misuse, such as health problems; crime, such as violence; and absenteeism from work. 

The Council is working together with our partners to tackle the problems caused by alcohol misuse, as well as address the cause, but the simple fact is that some people just drink too much.”

Safer Portsmouth Partnership
Safer Portsmouth Partnership is a group of statutory and voluntary community agencies that meet regularly and work together to reduce crime, substance misuse and the fear of crime. Their goal is to make Portsmouth a safe place to live, work and visit.

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