Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Director of Public Health which provided Members with an update on alcohol.

The Board was advised that Alcohol Harm Reduction was a priority of the Halton Health & Wellbeing Board and a revised Halton Local Alcohol Strategy was under development following the release of the National Alcohol Strategy in 2012 and further consultation was underway with key stakeholders to agree priority work streams.  An Alcohol action plan had been developed to achieve key outcomes in the next 2 years; progress would be monitored through the Health and Wellbeing Board.

It was reported that Halton had been awarded the status of “Local Alcohol Action Area”. This was a national campaign which had asked for pilot areas to self-nominate and receive support in addressing the harm from alcohol across three areas – health, the night time economy and crime and anti-social behaviour. A project plan was being developed to ensure that Halton could maximise the impact of this opportunity.

Halton had also participated in Dry January and promoted the Dry January campaign. Across the Halton and St Helens areas there had been 180 signups. In terms of the national campaign, 17,312 people had taken part online representing over 400% more than the previous year. There had been 25,077 likes on Facebook, 3461 followers on twitter, 500+ pieces of media coverage and 10 online advice sessions where more than 10000 people tuned into each one.

It was reported that work was continuing to look at the role of S.136 and mental health support for Police operational activity. Initial findings had resulted in a reduction in the number of S.136s used whilst the pilot had been in operation.

Furthermore, it was reported that the Public Health Team has also been involved in the following activities:

·             Developed a pilot “social norms” programme to examine young people’s relationship with alcohol. Work was underway to develop a Halton wide programme to change the perceived “social norms” through more intelligent presentation of facts, improving self-esteem and emphasising the normalcy of positive health behaviours as a means to promote health and reduce risky behaviour in schools.

·             Work had been undertaken to examine the potential role of a “dry room” for Halton; and

·             A proposal was being developed to conduct a “community conversation” programme to gain greater insight into local peoples’ relationship with alcohol.

The following comments arose from the discussion:-

·             Clarity was sought on whether the reduction in alcohol was because it was fashionable to do other things i.e. cannabis.  In response it was reported that it was hoped that the interventions were making an impact. There had been an increase in the use of cannabis by young people and the alcohol rate had decreased.  Under age sales of alcohol had also decreased.  However, it had been identified that parents were purchasing the alcohol on behalf of their children. The drop in Halton in comparison to the National average had been significant.  Previously, alcohol related death had been in elderly people but with the culture of binge drinking this was now presenting in a younger age range; and

·             It was agreed that the local alcohol profiles would be circulated to Members of the Board;

RESOLVED: That the report and comments raised be noted.