Sefton Council Calls for National Alcohol Strategy Amid Rising Adult Dependency

Sefton council is calling on the Government to establish a National Alcohol Strategy, which would aid its work to support the Borough’s dependent drinkers and provide treatment for more who need it.

It’s estimated that around 4,250 Sefton residents, almost 2% of the Borough’s adult population dependent drinkers, but only around 16% of them are in treatment. And a report in November 2022 warned that as many as a quarter of the Sefton adult population have increased risk of harm through consuming more than the recommended 14 units of alcohol a week.1

Additionally, alcohol related admissions for under-18s in Sefton rose to 71 per 100,000 between 2018 and 2021.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said:
“Dependent drinking is a significant issue for Sefton, which currently has the second highest rate in the North West for putting us in the top 10 nationally.2

“Although there are services available locally, our efforts to help dependent drinkers in Sefton are hindered by the lack of a National Alcohol Strategy that would mean data and services could be pulled together better and resources allocated where they are most needed.

“Many adults will enjoy alcohol in a socially responsible manner, and we don’t in any way want to prevent or punish that, but we do want to see the Government scrutinising the multi-billion-pound alcohol industry.”

Earlier this month Seton Council resolved to ask Chief Executive Phil Porter to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care expressing the authority’s support for a National Alcohol Strategy3

Mr Porter has also been asked to write to the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Harm to thank them for raising issues around alcohol harm. He will also inform them of the Council’s stance on a National Alcohol Strategy.

Cllr Moncur continued:
“As we approach the end of the month, I want to congratulate everybody who has taken part in Dry January.

“Starting the year with a Dry January can give us a range of health benefits as well as setting some sensible drinking habits for the rest of the year, but it is not easy so I would like to say ‘well done’ to everyone who took part.

“Whether you wanted to lower your alcohol intake or stop drinking altogether, I hope that you have achieved your aims and can continue to stick with them for the rest of the year.

“However, for those who did not take part in Dry January or complete but still want to make changes to their relationship with alcohol, support, advice and services are available in Sefton all year round. The details can be found at www.sefton.gov.uk/alcohol.

“Help out there and with support and treatment, you can turn things around”.