Council and PCT team up to tackle Camden's drink problem

Camden Council and Camden Primary Care Trust (PCT) have launched a new debate on how to tackle alcohol's harmful effects on society.

It comes as figures catalogue the hidden and widespread damage that alcohol is having on residents' lives.

According to joint research, 46,000 people, more than a quarter of all Camden residents aged 16 and above, are putting their health at risk through the amount they drink in the borough. This includes 9,000 people dependent on alcohol.

The council and PCT are calling for the government to make tackling the problems caused by alcohol misuse a higher priority. The two say the government must provide the extra resources health authorities and councils need.

The government currently provides £8 million for much needed drugs treatment services in Camden, but next to nothing for alcohol treatment services despite it being a greater problem.

Excessive drinking is putting pressure on council and health authority services. They are dealing with the fallout of increased antisocial behaviour and the damage caused to people's health and well-being.

And the lack of funding for alcohol treatment services means only one in nine dependent Camden drinkers has access to treatment. Across the country this falls to only one in 20 people.

The report found that alcohol related crimes are also on the rise. Latest figures link alcohol to at least 1,902 recorded crimes in Camden a year. Alcohol is a major cause of family breakdown, and an estimated 40 per cent of children in care are affected by a parent's alcohol misuse.

The joint report sets out how the council and PCT propose to tackle excessive drinking and the problems it causes.

The plan would build on current projects like the Rugby House project in Agar Grove, which helps people who have an alcohol addiction to recover and remain off alcohol and drugs.

Other successful projects include the council's Best Bar None scheme. This aims to reduce anti-social behaviour by encouraging landlords to improve the management of pubs and clubs.

Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Martin Davies, said: "Alcohol has been regarded as a medicine and poison throughout history.

"Sadly too many people don't realise the damage that their drinking is having on them, their families and the area they live. We can't work alone on this. We need businesses and residents to play their part.

"We also need the Government to take responsibility and provide the money we need to tackle the problems caused by alcohol."

Dr Jo Copping, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at Camden Primary Care Trust said: "Reducing the harm caused by alcohol is an important priority for Camden PCT. This new strategy outlines how we will work with our partners to alleviate the damage to t he health and wellbeing of our residents resulting from alcohol misuse."

The strategy focuses the Council and health services' work on four key areas. These are:

* Reducing the effect of alcohol on communities, particularly crime and antisocial behaviour.
* Reducing the effect excessive drinking is having on people's health, ensuring residents get help and advice before their health is damaged.
* Providing better and more accessible services, including long-term help to prevent people from relapsing into alcohol dependency.
* Targeting young people, including providing more help for children with parents who misuse alcohol.

The two organisations want to hear residents' views on the strategy before publishing their final plan to tackle alcohol misuse in Camden later in the year.

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