Science and British Policy Ilora Finlay

Alcohol labelling Bill 2007 Foetal alcohol syndrome Lord Mitchell’s Private Members Bill No alcohol pre conception and in pregnancy No tolerance by under 5 yrs Labelling on bottles Jan 2007 Bill fell Nov 2007 reintroduced – not given time in the Commons

Alcohol monitoring scheme Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill 2011 Baroness Newlove maiden speech July 2011 report stage Finlay Amdt 306ZC to insert alcohol monitoring into youth rehabilitation orders defeated by 151 to 104

Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 2010 “Alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirement “ Arrangements for tagging other means of testing Not dependent on alcohol Piloting powers Royal Assent May 2012

Enable the court to take – enforcement action on alcohol related violence and – monitor compliance, particularly in middle level offences Such as: – common assault, – offences against the person, – threatening behaviour and – domestic violence.

A pre-court screening to identify alcoholics, needs too great Alcohol monitoring, as part of a suspended sentence, community sentence or post release licence (alternative to prison) Magistrate is satisfied that offender understands No alcohol, with daily testing Evidence suggests 12 weeks to achieve behaviour change

Pilot plan Offender to pay for each test, £1 Testing done by either a private company or a voluntary third sector agency, with paid staff (not volunteers). It will not tie up police constable time For the pilot, the test centres use existing court and probation premises near transport hubs The initial alcohol test - standard breathalyser; if positive a second test with evidential standard equipment and mouthpiece

Bernard Hogan-Howe – Metropolitan Police Commissioner – who is “fully supportive” of the proposal. He commented that alcohol is a precursor to crime in about 80% of crimes in London and that after 6 pm each night you can smell the problem in the police cells. Led by Mayor and his Deputy

Current policy Minimum pricing – 10% increase in price ~ 4.4% fall in consumption (Canada showed 3.4% fall) Minimum unit pricing Marketing – (positive response at age 18 ~ heavier drinking and more alcohol related aggression age 21) Availability of alcohol – Licensing powers restriction – Sweden beer in grocery stores, consumption up 15%. Reversed when sale stopped.

Community Alcohol Prevention Project – Coordinated action – Cardiff Glasgow Birmingham Strengthening families Screening for hazardous drinking – Fast alcohol screening test ‘FAST’ Brief intervention / teachable moment – Reduced consumption 55% v 8% in controls

March 2012 “The message is clear. We can’t go on like this. We have to tackle the scourge of binge drinking.” David Cameron Powers: – Stop serving drunks – Restrict opening hours – Density of licenses and late night levy – Drunks in A&E and clubs they are from

questions 2 statements I short debate But no secondary legislation for pilots

BUT Refuse to look at differential for young drivers Complex messages persist in muddle