New North East report on binge drinking
A new report has found that young people are being encouraged to drink to get drunk because of cheap alcohol and advertising.
Rise in cost of alcohol "will protect patients' health"
Family doctors surveyed across the North East say increasing the price of cheap alcohol will protect patients' health.
Calls for a review of alcohol advertising
Twice as many young people living in the North East receive treatment for alcohol problems compared with the rest of the country.
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Council backs city minimum alcohol pricing
Two bars in Newcastle will become the first in the UK to sell alcohol at a new minimum price.
The bars which will open on Grey Street in the city centre will have to set prices of at least one pound twenty five per unit.
That's nearly three times the current rate of forty five pence.
The council have agreed the new price with the bar owners saying it will control alcohol related crime in Newcastle.
Premium bars will maintain Grey Street standards
Two bars in Newcastle are set to become the first of their kind, and in the UK, as they will be licensed to sell alcohol at a minimum price in excess of one pound per unit.
The new units at Decantus and the Grey Street Cafe Bar and Grill have been given the licenses on the condition that alcohol is sold at a minimum price of £1.25 per unit - nearly three times the current 45p per unit price.
The £1.25 figure has been set to maintain standards and keep Grey Street as the city's premier street. Newcastle City Council, who are running the initiative, also believe the measure will maintain the quality of the city centre, control crime and disorder and improve health.
– Councillor Henri Murison, Newcastle City Council"Newcastle is leading the way nationally on this issue and many other councils like us with a world class night life and destination to manage will follow in our footsteps.
The Government should take our lead by doing what they can to be tougher on the supermarkets, who have caused the crisis of low cost binge drinking. Only they can tackle this problem."
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Bars to set minimum price on alcohol
Two bars in Newcastle will become the first in the UK to sell alcohol at a new minimum price.
The bars, which will open on Grey Street, will have to set prices at at least £1.25 per unit.
The council agreed the new price with the bar owners to try to control alcohol related crime.
Police prepared to "arrest more motorists than ever before"
North Yorkshire Police is warning that they are prepared to arrest more motorists than ever before during this year’s festive drink and drug drive campaign.
Officers have arrested 43 people since the Christmas crackdown began on 1st December, despite repeated warnings about the potential dangers and possible repercussions linked to drink and drug driving.
Police have been patrolling the roads of North Yorkshire and the City of York since the campaign began and have breathalysed 1597 motorists.
Of the 43 motorists arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving so far, 21 have been charged and face losing their licences before the year is out.
– Traffic Sergeant Pete Stringer, North Yorkshire PoliceOur officers have done a great job since the campaign began in detecting suspected drink and drug drivers.
“It is, however, very disappointing that some people still choose to ignore our pleas not to put lives in danger by getting behind the wheel while impaired through drink and drugs.
“I want people to know that we will continue breathalysing people and making arrests in order to keep our communities safe this Christmas.
Behaviour course offers alternative to fixed penalty fine
Chief Inspector Peter Bent from Northumbria Police explains how the Newcastle Alcohol Behaviour Change Course will be an alternative to the existing £80 fixed penalty fine for being drunk and disorderly.
Drink course to show impact of alcohol
Margaret Orange from NHS Northumberland Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust describes the theory behind the new Newcastle Alcohol Behaviour Change Course.
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New scheme to tackle drunkenness
Police in Newcastle are launching a new scheme to cut alcohol-related crime in the city.
People who are arrested will be given the option of halving their £80 fine if they attend a course designed to change their behaviour. It will educate people about the impact of alcohol on them and other people.
The organisers hope it will change people's drinking habits, which will in turn cut crime.
The course will be delivered by training point, who have worked with the local NHS, the police and fire service to offer the course.
Full Report: Stockton takes a Pregnant Pause
A group of women from the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) network have been highlighting the dangers of drinking alcohol whilst pregnant with a 'Pregnant Pause' in Stockton-on-Tees.
The pregnant pause represents the nine months that a woman is pregnant.
You can see the full report from Julia Barthram below.
Drinking during pregnancy could damage child's development
As part of national Alcohol Awareness Week, local people in Stockton-on-Tees have been highlighting the dangers of drinking during pregnancy with a 'Pregnant Pause'.
The Pregnant Pause, which represented the nine months that a woman is pregnant for, aimed to educate more people about a disorder which affects thousands of babies every year, is completely preventable and yet is still not widely known about.
Foetal Alcohol Specrum disorder is what can happen if a mother drinks during pregnancy and can affect the development of a child's organs and facial features.
Children who have Foetal Alcohol Specrum disorder suffer from:
- Mouth, teeth and facial problems
- Weak immune system
- Epilepsy
- Liver damage
- Kidney and heart defects
- Cerebral palsy and other muscular problems
- Height and weight issues
- Hormonal disorders
- Hearing and ear problems
New North East report on binge drinking
A new report has found that young people are being encouraged to drink to get drunk because of cheap alcohol and advertising.
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