Nottingham’s response to alcohol related problems should be praised, and is a model for the rest of the country, according to Vernon Coaker MP, at the launch of the new Alcohol Strategy 2008-2001, which took place on Friday 27th June 2008 at Waterstones, in the city.

The Under Secretary of State for Police and Security opened the launch with a speech acknowledging that Nottingham's agencies are ahead of other parts of the country when dealing with the harms caused by alcohol.

The Nottingham Alcohol Strategy 2008/11 reflects a renewed commitment amongst local partners to tackle the full range of alcohol related harms in Nottingham City. The strategy reviews and builds on progress made since the city’s first alcohol strategy was written in 2006, with a sharpened focus on health promotion, effective treatment for hazardous, harmful and dependent drinkers, and maximum enforcement against those engaging in alcohol-related crime or antisocial behaviour. The strategy creates a framework to drive forward and coordinate action from all CDP partners.

The new strategy’s three themes address the three biggest challenges relating to alcohol harms in Nottingham: health & wellbeing; crime, disorder & antisocial behaviour; children & young people.

The Nottingham Alcohol Strategy will deliver:

• A series of targeted campaigns to promote a culture of safe, sensible drinking.
• A review of the alcohol treatment system.
• Screening and brief advice to those drinking at hazardous or harmful levels.
• Tougher action against off-licenses selling irresponsibly.
• Maximum use of available enforcement powers.
• A comprehensive programme of early intervention initiatives to prevent the onset of alcohol misuse amongst under-18s
• Improved understanding of local alcohol-related harms through improved data collection systems and consumption surveys.

Chief Executive of the Crime and Drugs Partnership, Alan Given, said:

"We are delighted to be presenting Nottingham’s new Alcohol Strategy on behalf of our partners together with Vernon Coaker and Graham Allen both of whom are strong supporters of the work taking place in Nottingham City to tackle and reduce alcohol related issues.

It is clear there is no quick fix or solution for the problems caused by alcohol locally or even nationally, challenging and changing people’s attitudes and relationship with alcohol is difficult.

With our partners we will ensure that those individuals and their families who are experiencing severe difficulties with alcohol receive the very best treatment and support available, where people choose to continue to act against the interests of their community then we will take robust enforcement action.

The prevention of alcohol related problems is the key element of this strategy and as an early intervention City our commitment to identifying and addressing problems at an early stage is our top priority.

There are many factors that contribute to inappropriate or unsafe drinking many of which have been identified in this strategy, as a partnership we will continue to address these often complex issues and deliver further interventions that aim to make the city safer and healthier".

Associate Director of Partnerships and Health Improvement, Nottingham City PCT, Roger Williams, said:

"The NHS has to deal with many of the harmful consequences of alcohol misuse. These range from horrific injuries caused by assaults and accidents to the more insidious harm caused to families and communities. Hospital admissions where the primary diagnosis is directly attributable to alcohol have increased by 87% since 1999.

Excessive or long-term use of alcohol can have a serious impact on the physical and mental health of individuals. This in turn can have devastating consequences for partners and families of heavy drinkers. Although alcohol related problems are affecting all parts of society there is a relationship between alcohol misuse and the entrenched health inequalities in our City. Heavy drinkers may die younger.

Nottingham City PCT welcomes this joint alcohol strategy. The issues around alcohol use are diverse and complex; by working with our partners - and sharing our knowledge and skills - we stand a much better chance of tackling these effectively."

Local Area Commander for the City Centre, Inspector Paul Winter, said:

"We are committed to taking positive enforcement action but realise that this alone will not solve the problems relating to alcohol. A joined-up approach involving all the agencies with the commitment to change public perceptions and attitudes to the way people view alcohol is the way forward."