Alcohol strategies: chances for change Emily Robinson Deputy Chief Executive Alcohol Concern

The political context

What Nigel does...

Public opinion 45% of people have avoided town late at night because of drunken behaviour of others 61% think Britain has an unhealthy r’ship 88% think alcohol affects health 92% think alcohol impacts anti social behaviour 79% think alcohol harms children and families 51% think availability of cheap alcohol is harmful 63% think it is important to provide treatment for people who are addicted to alcohol

2012 Govt alcohol national strategy We will take national action to: Tackle the availability of cheap alcohol through the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol and consult on a ban on multi-buy promotions in the off-trade. Work with the ASA and Ofcom to examine ways to ensure that adverts promoting alcohol are not shown during programmes of high appeal to young people. Strengthen local powers to control the density of premises licensed to sell alcohol, including a new health-related objective for alcohol licensing for this purpose. Encourage all hospitals to share non-confidential information on alcohol- related injuries with the police and other local agencies. Develop a model pathway to reduce under 18 year olds’ alcohol related A&E attendances. Work with pilot areas to develop approaches to paying for outcomes for recovery from drug or alcohol dependency. Include an alcohol check within the NHS Health Check for adults from April Review the alcohol guidelines for adults so that people can make responsible and informed choices about their drinking.

Local strategies #1 Most local authorities (85%) have alcohol as a named priority in the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Local authorities report that spending on alcohol services and activity has mostly stayed the same (57%) or increased (36%) in the last financial year. Only two of the 28 local authorities that participated (7%) reported a decrease. A majority of local authorities expect funding for alcohol services and activity to stay the same (39%) or increase (43%) over the next three years. Five (18%) local authorities expect it to decrease. Local authority areas experiencing high levels of alcohol-related harm are the least likely to expect increased funding for alcohol; only 20% expect increases compared to 63% experiencing medium and 40% experiencing lower levels of harm. Local authorities expect the proportion of the substance misuse budget that is spent on alcohol to either increase (52%) or to stay the same (44%). Only one local authority expects it to decrease. A Measure of Change – report available on Alcohol Concern website

Local strategies #2 Feedback from treatment providers is less optimistic than that from local authorities. Almost a third (30%) of treatment providers have seen funding decrease in the last financial year. Most of these were in areas experiencing medium levels of alcohol-related harm. Nearly two-thirds (61%) of treatment providers expect funding to decrease in the next three years. Treatment providers in high- and medium-harm areas were far more likely to expect a decrease than those in lower-harm areas. Treatment providers report a significant discrepancy between the priority given to alcohol and the funding received to deliver alcohol services. Many treatment providers recognise that alcohol is now given greater priority in relation to drugs than in the past, but this may not be reflected in current levels of funding. Two-thirds of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are not currently directly funding any alcohol services or activity

But signs so far? Sobriety orders and their expansion? Bigger role for alcohol treatment in Troubled Families type work? More long term budgets for councils? Drunk tanks or other measure for A&E? Something on pricing? Something on promotions?

Your role in advocacy If you don’t like it do something about it!

Day of action 5 th September #21billion Step 1: Find out who your MP is Step 2: Make an appointment with your MP Step 3: Register your attendance at the #21billion lobby day Step 4: Prepare for the meeting Step 5: The meeting Step 6: After meeting your MP

Thank you – things do change