Strategy tackles worries over drink-related harm

HEALTH bosses in Northumberland have agreed a new plan to tackle the scourge of alcohol-related harm.

- JAMES ROBINSON Local DFemocracy Reporter

Alcohol-related deaths in Northumberland remain significantly higher than the national average, and issues with alcoholism put significant pressure on public finances.

There are 20.79 alcohol related deaths per 100,000 residents in Northumberland per year, compared to 13.84 across England - although the North East as whole is even higher at 21.7. The average age of people dying due to alcohol is just 54.

Each year, alcohol-related health issues and disorder costs Northumberland more than £146.1m.

The new strategy, agreed at Thursday’s meeting of the Northumberland Health and Wellbeing Board, aims to prevent and reduce alcoholrelated harm.

It was acknowledged that while prevention is better than a cure, not all issues can be prevented.

The strategy set out four priority areas for the next five years:

Prevention:

Focusing on the development of prevention-based measures to address alcohol harms.

Life Course Approach:

Recognising that alcohol-related behaviours and risks vary at different stages of life.

Safer Communities: