Alcoholics Anonymous Reviews

"If we can change our thinking we can change our drinking"

A Change in culture is paramount if alcohol problems in the Borders are to be tackled successfully.

In the year 06/07 Borders General Hospital dealt with 683 alcohol related emergency admissions which accounted for 11% of the patients seen in the department over the year, and 50% of them turned up at hospital between a Friday and a Sunday.

The number of alcohol related deaths in the region has also increased from 17 in 2000 to 28 in 2006/07.

Children are starting to experiment with alcohol at a younger age and of the alcohol related admissions to hospital in the Borders 78 patients were under the age of 18 years and 56 were under 16 years.

A survey of Borders schools in 2006 revealed the average age for first drinking is 12 years and 13% of 13 year olds and 42% of 15 year olds had drunk alcohol in the week prior to the survey.

Most of the 698 patients discharged from hospital after being treated for drink related injuries were sent away with 'Safer Drinking' cards to encourage a more responsible attitude to drinking in future.

The police and courts are cracking down on underage drinking and in recent weeks a number of adults have appeared in court charged with buying alcohol for youngsters under the age of 18, Sheriff Kevin Drummond making it clear that as far as the courts are concerned the time for leniency is over.

The local Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) has drawn up an action plan and development officer Susan Black has been visiting community councils, schools and other interested community groups throughout Berwickshire in recent weeks with the message "If we can change our thinking we can change our drinking."

"There is a positive side to alcohol, and many people drink responsibly and there is no mishap, but for a few people across Scotland there are more alcohol related incidents and the balance is starting to tip."

Joint working between the police, medical profession, social work, and voluntary sector in the region, through DAAT, is focusing on bringing local solutions to the Scottish Executive's 'Updated Plan for Action on Alcohol Problems' (2007). The key aims of the plan are to: reduce binge drinking because of the harmful social and individual consequences; and reduce hazardous or at risk drinking by children and young people because of the particular health and social risks.

Nationally the aim is to reduce the incidence of men exceeding weekly sensible drinking levels from 33% to 29% by 2010 and for women to bring the level down from 13% to 11%. In the Borders it is estimated that 23% of men and 14% of women drink over the recommended weekly units.

Borders DAAT's latest report reveals: "Local statistics indicate increasing numbers of young people, and at younger ages, attending the A&E department of the BGH for alcohol-related accidents and illnesses.

"They also demonstrate steadily increasing numbers of young people being referred to local services for under 18s (Reiver Project) for drug and alcohol problems.

"Good progress is being made in the provision of services. The number and range of drug and alcohol services in the Borders has developed considerably over recent years, increasing access and attracting greater numbers into treatment and support.
"Efforts continue to be made to reduce waiting times in the areas where this is required, and to maintain the short waiting times where these have been achieved."

In the past funding to deal with drug and alcohol problems has mainly gone to dealing with drugs but alcohol is now recognised as a bigger problem across Scotland and the Scottish Government are spending £85 million over the next three years tackling the country's problem drinking, and although figures have not yet been officially released as to how that money will be divided Borders DAAT are expecting their share to be around £600,000 a year.

However, neither the Government nor the local action teams alone can improve the attitude to alcohol that causes problem drinking, and everyone has a part to play. Changes in the licensing laws will mean that all staff serving alcohol to the public will have to undergo Servewise training, and they must know the effect of alcohol and be trained to serve responsibly.
"We need to change the culture," said Susan Black. "It will take a long term strategy and the Scottish Government are just about to announce their new strategy."

The number of problem drug users in the Borders known to those providing help has reduced from 219 in 2006 down to 125 last year, but that only accounts for those seeking help. It was estimated back in 2003 that there were approximately 680 problem drug users in the region, but the figures are about to be updated and the number of drug-related deaths has risen from four to seven.

Dealing with the problem of drugs, DAAT's latest report says: "Significant activity has been undertaken by the police to target drug dealers, with encouraging results in terms of increasing arrests and seizures.

"However, over the last two years we have seen an increase in drug-related deaths, indicative of the ever-changing patterns and trends in drug use both nationally and locally. Concerted efforts are being made to address this issue and identify any underlying themes, with a view to making recommendations for improving policy and practice aimed at reversing this trend."

Berwickshire Today