Tower Hamlets Council is highlighting issues surrounding alcohol misuse during Alcohol Awareness Week, running from November 13 – 19 2017.
Led by national charity Alcohol Concern, this year’s campaign theme is: ‘Alcohol and Families.’ This theme will be used an opportunity to start a conversation around problematic alcohol use to help break the cycle of silence and stigma that is all too often experienced by families.
Mayor Johns Biggs said: “Working with our partners, we aim to reduce alcohol-related problems and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
“The council offers a variety of support services, counselling and treatment available to everyone in the borough.”
Public Health England estimates there are approximately 3,400 dependent drinkers in Tower Hamlets; the 7th highest rate of dependent drinkers in London.
However, around 47 per cent of the Tower Hamlets adult population are abstinent and don’t drink alcohol, which is one of the highest rate of abstainers in the country.
Keep health risks from alcohol at a low level. Men and women are advised:
• not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
• to spread your drinking over three or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week
• if you want to cut down, try to have several drink-free days each week.
Cllr Denise Jones, lead for adult and health services said: “Although many people may use alcohol responsibly, regularly drinking more than the recommended amount can lead to serious health harms such as liver disease, heart disease, stroke, cancer and mental health problems. Speak to your GP or contact the Drug and Alcohol Team if you have any concerns about your drinking or someone else’s.”
Want to learn more about your drinking habits and if it’s causing harm? Drop by one of the following sessions to learn more about units, safe drinking and even some mocktail recipes:
• Tuesday 14 and Thursday 16 Nov from 9am – 4pm at Roman Road Market, E3 5ES (near Idea Stores)
• Tuesday 14 Nov from 10am – 1pm at Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road E1 1BB (A&E entrance)
• Wednesday 15 Nov from 2-4.30pm at Tower Hamlets Early Intervention Service, 51 Three Colts Lane E2 6FW
• Wednesday 15 Nov from 7 – 8pm at Caxton Hall, Caxton Grove, Bow, E3 2EE
• Thursday 16 Nov from 11am – 2pm at Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, E1 4NS
If you need help with alcohol or drug use visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/reset or contact specially trained advisors:
For adult over 18s: Reset Drug & Alcohol Treatment Service, Beaumont House, Mile End Hospital, Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG, Tel: 020 8121 5301, email: elt-tr.reset@nhs.net
For under 18s: Young Peoples Substance Misuse Service, Spotlight, 30 Hay Currie Street, London, E14 6GN, Tel: 020 7536 8869, email: enquiries-yps@cgl.org.uk
For further information on alcohol harm visit: www.nhs.uk/livewell/alcohol
-Press realise
