ALCOHOL impacts on so many parts of our lives and the costs to society can be seen in so many places. Across County Durham and Darlington there has been a commitment made by organisations including the police, local authorities, the fire brigade, those involved in health provision and various voluntary organisations, to try to tackle the harm alcohol misuse creates and try to prevent it occurring in the future.

Claire Sullivan, consultant in public health, NHS County Durham and Darlington, said: “Both the Safer Darlington Partnership and the Safe Durham Partnership are committed to helping to reduce the harm caused by alcohol. We have recently looked back on what we have achieved over the last three years and planned what needs to occur in the future.

“We have held consultation events with a wide range of professional and community groups to showcase our activity and to get suggestions from those within our communities on how we need to focus our efforts in the future.

During Alcohol Awareness Week (November 19-25) both partnerships will launch their strategies for the next few years.”

The cost of alcohol is still too high for the residents of County Durham and Darlington, despite inroads being made by a range of experts. Research released by Alcohol Concern shows that 28 per cent of County Durham residents and 26 per cent of Darlington residents are drinking at a level which increases the risk of damaging their health. In 2010/2011 alcohol- related hospital admissions cost £6.4m in Darlington (£78 per adult), while County Durham’s cost £31.5m (£75 per adult).

Whilst these figures are a stark reminder of the devastating cost of alcohol to the healthcare service, when combined with the costs relating to crime and disorder, workplaces and social services, this rises to an estimated £190m in County Durham.

“Hopefully, during Alcohol Awareness Week people will take some time to talk about alcohol and consider the impact it has on their life,”

said Claire.

“These affects and costs may not be immediately clear. People may be storing up health problems for later in life or their intake may be affecting their working or personal life.

Kate Jeffels of the Darlington drug and alcohol action team, said: “Alcohol plays an important role within our lives but we need to work together to limit the negative consequences and continue to do what we can to help people when they need it.”

The partnerships have begun to make major inroads into tackling the variety of problems caused by alcohol under the themes of prevention, control and treatment.

Part of the prevention programme includes social norms projects in schools across County Durham and Darlington, highlighting that most teenagers do not drink.

This is in response to the fact that alcohol can have negative effects on young people in both the short and long term.

The Best Bar None scheme – which comes under the control aspect of the programme – promotes the responsible management and operation of licenced premises. It has been successfully introduced in a number of towns and cities throughout the country.

From the treatment and recovery perspective, services have been commissioned throughout the area to help those who need treatment or help with their recovery. Both adult and under-18 services are available for those in need, as are some innovative practices such as the Durham Recovery and Wellbeing Centre.