NHS Leeds and Leeds City Council have added their names to a charter that is looking to create a world free from alcohol harm.
Alcohol Concern has set up the charter in an effort to influence local and national policies relating to alcohol. The charter is based on the World Health Organisation's charter on alcohol.
The charter has four goals. It aims to:
- develop a society where people can abstain from alcohol should they choose to do so;
- protect children and young people from the promotion of alcohol;
- provide free and accessible advice and support for anyone who develops a problem with alcohol; and
- give people objective and independent information on the consequences of alcohol consumption on health, the family and society.
By signing up to the charter, NHS Leeds and Leeds City Council are reinforcing their commitment to reduce the impact of alcohol-related harm. Later this year a new strategy will be launched looking at what can be done to reduce the social and economical impact of alcohol-related harm to the city.
Dr Ian Cameron, Director of Public Health for Leeds, says: “It is essential that NHS Leeds and Leeds City Council continue to show their commitment to initiatives that look to eradicate problems associated with alcohol-related harm – both locally, nationally and internationally. I’m delighted that we are signing up to this charter as it demonstrates that we are serious about our commitment.”
A child or young person (up to 18 years old) who is worried about their drinking (or drugs) problem can contact Platform on 0113 397 1300. Alternatively young people can call the national ‘Talk to Frank’ helpline on 0800 77 66 00 or visit www.talktofrank.com/
There are a number of alcohol support and treatment services for adults. If your worried about your drinking, or that of a family member or friend, please call Addiction Dependency Solutions on 0113 247 0111 or Leeds Addiction Unit on 0113 295 1300.
Notes
Economic and social costs of alcohol-related harm to Leeds
‘The economic and social costs of alcohol-related harm in Leeds 2008-09’ report estimated that alcohol-related harm costs the Leeds economy £438 million every year.
Examples of cost to Leeds economy
The estimated cost of £438 million in 2008-2009 is broken down in a number of key areas.
- Lost productivity costs approximately £117 million. Almost half of these costs were due to ‘presenteeism’ and absenteeism. Presenteeism, which is alcohol-related reduced productivity, costs Leeds £26 million with over 210,000 days lost to hangovers in Leeds during this time. Absenteeism (sickness absence) due to alcohol misuse was estimated to cost around £36 million. Other costs include unemployment due to alcohol dependency and premature mortality, with lost output through the death of working age adults estimated to cost £29 million.
- Expenditure on alcohol-specific and alcohol-related offences was an estimated £124 million. Over £8 million was spent on the anticipation of crime, £96 million on the consequences of crime, including the physical and emotional impact on victims of crime, and just under £20 million in criminal justice system costs.
- The cost on alcohol services is over £25 million costs, including £13 million for inpatient hospital stays, £2 million for day hospital cases, £5 million for outpatient attendances, £700,000 for A&E attendances and over £4 million for ambulance journeys.
- An estimated £1 million was spent on West Yorkshire fire and rescue service attending alcohol-related incidents in the Leeds area, including approximately £900,000 attending alcohol-related house fires.
National impact of alcohol-related harm (source: Alcohol Concern)
- Every minute alcohol-related problems cost the UK economy around £48,000
- Every hour more than 100 people go into hospital in England and Wales with an alcohol-related condition
- Every day more than 40 people die as a result of alcohol in England and Wales
- Every week more than 100 children call ChildLine upset about their parents’ drinking – some as young as five years old.