Dangers of excess drinking
10:38am Wednesday 25th November 2009 in North West By Brian Gomm
THOSE who combine in the battle against the devastating consequences of alcohol abuse have formed a pact.
A new Alcohol Strategy for Wigan has been Launched as part of Health Week, and consolidates existing policy and sets out how, over the next three years, partners aim to tackle the many and diverse challenges facing the community in respect of alcohol use - and abuse.
The strategy embraces health awareness, advising us all to adhere to national guidelines for sensible drinking as part of the Government’s Know Your Limits campaign.
Improving access to information and education, particularly in respect of our children and young people, is pivotal to the strategy, which addresses the reasons we make the choices we do - and empowers us to make informed decisions.
The strategy also proposes an action plan for improving treatment and care and promises to provide a shared platform for greater co-ordination of services and takes an holistic approach to the support of those with alcohol issues, their families and carers, and the wider community.
The criminal consequences of alcohol abuse are also covered in the strategy, which adopts a robust and integrated line of attack against crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
“The damaging affects of alcohol abuse are far-reaching, impinging on the entire community,” said Lord Peter Smith, Leader of Wigan Council.
“It harms both individual and family lives affecting health and personal relationships. By signing up to a shared vision, partners working together in this field can pool specialist skills and resources to render them more effective in the fight against alcohol abuse and its damaging consequences.”
Dr Kate Ardern, Executive Director of Public Health for Wigan Borough said: “Alcohol is a major cause of health problems in the Borough. Regularly drinking to excess can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, breast, bowel and stomach cancers, liver disease and serious mental health problems.”
The Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines on lower risk drinking recommend men do not drink more than 3-4 units daily (drinking about two pints or two cans of normal strength lager or beer on a regular basis).
Women are advised not to exceed more than 2-3 units daily (regularly drinking about a large glass of wine or three single measures of spirits).
Unit strengths of some common drinks: wine – standard 175ml glass, ABV 12%, 2.1 units; wine – large 250ml, 12%, 3; wine – 750ml bottle, 13.5%, 10; beer/lager – pint, 4%, 2.3, 5.2%, 3; strong cider – 440ml can, 9%, 4, litre 9; alcopops – 275ml bottle, 5%, 1.4; spirits (e.g. vodka/gin) – 25ml single, 40%, 1, 50ml double, 2.
